Analytics & Reporting
Mode Review
Notebook-first BI platform combining SQL, Python, and R in one collaborative analytics environment — the tool for data teams that want the flexibility of code with the collaboration of a shared BI platform.
Mode at a glance
The RevenueHoop take on Mode
Mode is the notebook-first BI tool for data teams — write SQL to pull data, drop into Python or R for analysis, build visualizations, share dashboards. Same category as Hex but with more mature enterprise deployment and a longer track record. For data teams whose analysts think in notebooks (not spreadsheets), Mode is meaningfully better than Equals or Looker for exploratory analytics work. For RevOps analysts who think in spreadsheets, Equals fits better.
Best for
- Data teams with SQL + Python + R fluency
- RevOps orgs with dedicated data analysts
- Companies whose analytics motion is exploratory + rigorous
- Teams that need collaborative notebook workflows
- Any team where "notebook is my primary work surface" is the analyst preference
When to use it
Use Mode when your analysts think in notebooks — SQL for data retrieval, Python or R for analysis, visualization for storytelling. Mode's collaborative notebook environment lets analysts work faster than in Jupyter and share results more cleanly than in Google Docs.
Mode also earns its place for teams doing exploratory data science alongside standard BI reporting — the SQL + Python combination handles both use cases without switching tools.
When NOT to use it
Skip Mode if your RevOps team thinks in spreadsheets — Equals fits that mental model better. Skip it if you need enterprise-scale semantic modeling; Looker's LookML architecture is more purpose-built for governed enterprise BI.
For teams doing more data science and less BI, Hex has a more modern notebook UX. For pure financial modeling, Causal fits better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Best-in-class collaborative notebook environment
- Native SQL + Python + R support
- Solid visualization and dashboard sharing
- Mature enterprise deployment
- Strong governance features
- Fair per-user pricing
Cons
- Notebook-first architecture doesn't fit spreadsheet users
- UI feels dated compared to Hex
- Less useful for teams without SQL fluency
- Enterprise semantic modeling trails Looker
- Vendor pace slower than newer entrants
Mode vs. the alternatives
Mode against the modern spreadsheet and notebook-based BI alternatives.
Primary UX
- Mode
- Notebook
- Hex
- Notebook + spreadsheet
- Equals
- Spreadsheet
- Looker
- Semantic model + dashboards
Best for
- Mode
- Data teams (SQL + Python)
- Hex
- Data science teams
- Equals
- RevOps analytics
- Looker
- Enterprise BI
SQL + Python + R
- Mode
- ✅
- Hex
- ✅
- Equals
- SQL only
- Looker
- LookML
Collaboration
- Mode
- ✅
- Hex
- ✅
- Equals
- ✅
- Looker
- ✅
Best stage
- Mode
- Series B-C
- Hex
- Series B-C
- Equals
- Series A-C
- Looker
- Series C+ / Enterprise
Enterprise governance
- Mode
- Solid
- Hex
- Growing
- Equals
- Basic
- Looker
- Best ✅
RH pick?
- Mode
- Notebook-first analysts ✅
- Hex
- Data science teams ✅
- Equals
- RevOps default ✅
- Looker
- Enterprise BI ✅
| Dimension | Mode | Hex | Equals | Looker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary UX | Notebook | Notebook + spreadsheet | Spreadsheet | Semantic model + dashboards |
| Best for | Data teams (SQL + Python) | Data science teams | RevOps analytics | Enterprise BI |
| SQL + Python + R | ✅ | ✅ | SQL only | LookML |
| Collaboration | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Best stage | Series B-C | Series B-C | Series A-C | Series C+ / Enterprise |
| Enterprise governance | Solid | Growing | Basic | Best ✅ |
| RH pick? | Notebook-first analysts ✅ | Data science teams ✅ | RevOps default ✅ | Enterprise BI ✅ |
The RevenueHoop opinion
Mode is the tool we recommend to data teams whose analysts want collaborative notebook workflows. It's a legitimate BI tool with the flexibility of code and the collaboration of a shared platform. For RevOps analysts who don't code, Equals fits better. For data science teams that want the most modern notebook UX, Hex has meaningfully caught up. Mode is the middle-tier steady option — not the flashiest, but reliable for teams that fit its shape.
— Written by the RevenueHoop team. Last updated July 2026.
Mode FAQ
Notebook-first BI platform combining SQL, Python, and R in one collaborative analytics environment — the tool for data teams that want the flexibility of code with the collaboration of a shared BI platform. Mode is the notebook-first BI tool for data teams — write SQL to pull data, drop into Python or R for analysis, build visualizations, share dashboards. Same category as Hex but with more mature enterprise deployment and a longer track record. For data teams whose analysts think in notebooks (not spreadsheets), Mode is meaningfully better than Equals or Looker for exploratory analytics work. For RevOps analysts who think in spreadsheets, Equals fits better.
Mode fits teams that need Data teams with SQL + Python + R fluency; RevOps orgs with dedicated data analysts; Companies whose analytics motion is exploratory + rigorous; and Teams that need collaborative notebook workflows.
Skip Mode if your RevOps team thinks in spreadsheets — Equals fits that mental model better. Skip it if you need enterprise-scale semantic modeling; Looker's LookML architecture is more purpose-built for governed enterprise BI.
The alternatives we compare Mode against are Hex; Equals; Looker; and Tableau. Mode against the modern spreadsheet and notebook-based BI alternatives.
Mode is the tool we recommend to data teams whose analysts want collaborative notebook workflows. It's a legitimate BI tool with the flexibility of code and the collaboration of a shared platform. For RevOps analysts who don't code, Equals fits better. For data science teams that want the most modern notebook UX, Hex has meaningfully caught up. Mode is the middle-tier steady option — not the flashiest, but reliable for teams that fit its shape.