Looker vs Mode
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Looker and Mode are credible business intelligence tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Looker — Modern BI and embedded analytics by Google Cloud.
Choose Mode if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free) and a free plan to start on. SQL-first analytics for data teams.
Looker vs Mode: side by side
| Dimension | Looker | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | FreeWinner |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | Enterprise, Data Teams | Data Teams |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Looker key facts
- Vendor
- Pricing
- Subscription — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Enterprise, Data Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Mode key facts
- Vendor
- ThoughtSpot
- Pricing
- Subscription — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
- Best for
- Data Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2013
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Looker better than Mode?
Neither is universally better — Looker edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Looker or Mode cheaper?
Mode is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free. Looker starts at custom; Mode starts at free.
Can Looker replace Mode?
Yes for most teams — both are business intelligence tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.