Looker vs Mode: What are the differences?

Introduction: Looker and Mode are both powerful data analysis tools that enable businesses to visualize and analyze their data. Despite having similar goals, there are some key differences between Looker and Mode.

1. Data Exploration Capabilities: Looker emphasizes on providing an interactive and user-friendly interface for data exploration. It offers features like auto-suggested visualizations, data filters, and drill-down capabilities, enabling users to explore and analyze data easily. On the other hand, Mode focuses on providing a versatile SQL editor, allowing users to perform complex queries, write custom SQL code, and create advanced data transformations and calculations.

2. Collaboration and Sharing: Looker puts a strong emphasis on collaboration and sharing within teams. It provides built-in tools for creating and sharing saved visualizations, dashboards, and reports with colleagues, enabling seamless collaboration and knowledge sharing. In contrast, Mode provides a collaborative environment through its collaborative SQL editor, where users can collaborate in real-time on SQL queries and share their analyses with others.

3. Embedding and Customization: Looker offers extensive embedding capabilities, allowing users to embed Looker-developed reports and dashboards directly into third-party websites and applications. It provides SDKs and APIs for customizing the look and feel of embedded content and integrating with other systems. In comparison, while Mode also offers embedding options, it provides less flexibility in terms of customization and integration compared to Looker.

4. Data Modeling and Transformation: Looker provides a robust data modeling layer, enabling users to transform and structure their data for analysis. It offers a visual interface for building data models, defining relationships and aggregations, and creating business logic. Mode, on the other hand, primarily focuses on SQL-based data analysis, allowing users to directly manipulate and transform data using SQL queries without the need for complex data modeling.

5. Data Source Connectivity: Looker supports a wide range of data sources, including popular databases, cloud storage services, and data warehouses. It offers connectors and pre-built integrations for seamless data connectivity and syncing. Mode also supports various data sources, but its list of supported data sources is comparatively smaller than Looker's, limiting the options for data connectivity.

6. Pricing and Licensing: Looker follows a subscription-based pricing model, where pricing is based on factors such as the number of users, data volume, and additional features required. It offers different pricing tiers based on the organization's needs. On the other hand, Mode offers both free and paid plans, with the free plan having limitations on features and functionalities. The paid plans offer additional features and more flexibility in terms of data volume and collaboration.

In summary, Looker emphasizes on data exploration, collaboration, and embedding capabilities, while Mode focuses on SQL-based analysis, data modeling, and customization. Looker offers a wider range of data source connectivity options and follows a subscription-based pricing model, whereas Mode has a more limited set of data sources and offers a free plan with paid options.