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Business Intelligence · head to head

Mode vs PartyKit

Mode logo

Mode

Business Intelligence

Collaborative analytics for data teams

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit ModeFull review
P

PartyKit

Developer Tools

Platform for building and deploying realtime multiplayer servers on the edge

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit PartyKitFull review

The short version

  • Mode is a collaborative analytics platform.
  • PartyKit is free; Mode starts at $65/mo.
  • Only Mode lists SQL Editor; only PartyKit lists stateful edge servers.
  • Where Mode falls short: free tier limited to 4GB RAM and 1 CPU for SQL notebooks, insufficient for large datasets.
  • Where PartyKit falls short: documentation and FAQ material on the marketing site is sparse compared to larger realtime platforms.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mode and PartyKit actually diverge.

Attributes where Mode and PartyKit differ
AttributeModePartyKit
Pricing modelSubscriptionFreemium
PlatformsWebWeb, API
CategoryBusiness IntelligenceDeveloper Tools

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: founded for PartyKit.

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Mode

  • SQL Editor
  • Python/R Notebooks
  • Interactive Reports
  • Version Control
  • Scheduling
  • Snowflake
  • Redshift
  • BigQuery

Only in PartyKit

  • Stateful edge servers
  • WebSocket-first API
  • CRDT library compatibility
  • Framework integrations
  • Global edge deployment
  • Custom domains

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Mode

  • Self-service analyticsnot PartyKit
  • Data explorationnot PartyKit
  • Ad-hoc reportingnot PartyKit
  • Collaborative analysisnot PartyKit
  • Embedded analyticsnot PartyKit

PartyKit

  • Multiplayer collaborative appsnot Mode
  • Realtime AI agent backendsnot Mode
  • Live cursors and presencenot Mode
  • Collaborative whiteboards and documentsnot Mode

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Mode

  • Free tier limited to 4GB RAM and 1 CPU for SQL notebooks, insufficient for large datasets
  • Requires SQL knowledge for most analysis tasks, creating dependency on technical resources
  • Paid plan pricing not publicly listed; requires sales consultation
  • Recently acquired by ThoughtSpot in 2026, creating product direction uncertainty
  • Limited customization options for visual aspects and embedded analytics

PartyKit

  • Documentation and FAQ material on the marketing site is sparse compared to larger realtime platforms
  • Commercial free tier requires deploying to the user's own Cloudflare account, adding setup complexity
  • Storage on the free Individual plan clears every 24 hours, limiting it to prototyping rather than persistent production data
  • Smaller ecosystem and community than more established realtime infrastructure providers

Pricing, plan by plan

Mode

Free
  • FreeFree
    • SQL Editor
    • Python/R Notebooks
    • Basic Charts
  • Business$65/mo
    • Advanced Visualizations
    • Collaboration
    • Integrations

PartyKit

Free
  • IndividualFree
    • Up to 10 live projects
    • Deploy to the global edge platform
    • Storage clears every 24 hours
  • CommercialFree
    • Unlimited projects
    • Custom domains
    • Runs on your own Cloudflare account; pay only Cloudflare usage

Which should you pick?

Choose Mode if

  • You need sql editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want python/r notebooks.
Mode review

Choose PartyKit if

  • You need stateful edge servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want websocket-first api.
PartyKit review

Questions people ask

Is Mode or PartyKit better?
Neither clearly leads. Mode starts at Free and PartyKit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mode or PartyKit?
Mode starts at Free and PartyKit at Free.
Does Mode or PartyKit run on more platforms?
Mode runs on Web. PartyKit runs on Web, API.
Can I use Mode for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Mode best used for?
Mode is most often used for self-service analytics, data exploration, ad-hoc reporting, collaborative analysis. Of those, self-service analytics and data exploration are not what PartyKit is typically brought in for.
What can Mode do that PartyKit cannot?
Mode covers SQL Editor, Python/R Notebooks, Interactive Reports, Version Control. PartyKit covers Stateful edge servers, WebSocket-first API, CRDT library compatibility, Framework integrations.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mode: What languages does Mode support for analysis?

Mode notebooks support SQL, Python (3.11 with pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, matplotlib), and R (4.2.0 with ggplot2, dplyr, tidyr). Both Python and R allow additional library installation at runtime.

Source
PartyKit: How much does PartyKit cost?

PartyKit is completely free. Both the Individual and Commercial plans have no upfront costs.

Source
Mode: Can I integrate Mode notebook results into reports?

Yes. Mode allows adding notebook cell results directly to reports, with synchronized scheduling so reports re-run to keep data current.

Source
PartyKit: What is PartyKit's Individual plan?

The Individual plan is free and includes deployment to a global edge platform, support for up to 10 live projects, and is suitable for small projects. Storage is cleared every 24 hours.

Source
Mode: Does Mode support collaborative analysis?

Yes. Mode notebooks provide moveable code blocks and markdown cells enabling exploratory analysis and team collaboration on data queries and visualizations.

Source
PartyKit: What is PartyKit's Commercial plan?

The Commercial plan is free but requires deploying to your own Cloudflare account. It includes custom domains, unlimited projects, and you pay only your Cloudflare usage costs.

Source
PartyKit: Can I upgrade from Individual to Commercial plan?

Yes, both plans are free but offer different feature sets. The Commercial plan removes project restrictions but requires managing your own Cloudflare infrastructure.

Source
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