Adea vs Mode
Adea is the Mode alternative for everyone who needs the number but doesn't write SQL. It sets itself up on your database, so the questions that used to wait for an analyst are answered in seconds, and the reports run on a schedule.
Free planNo cardRead-only access
“Our analysts already write the SQL.”
And every question waits in their queue. Most of those questions are simple and come back every week. Adea answers them in plain words, shows the query so an analyst can check it at a glance, and keeps the reports running on a schedule.
The Mode alternative that sets itself up.
Choose Adea when:
- 1
The people with the questions don't write SQL
- 2
You want answers in seconds, with the query shown, instead of a ticket
- 3
You want reports and dashboards built from a question and sent on a schedule
- 4
You want every number watched each night, with the likely reason when one moves
Adea vs Mode side by side
| Question | Mode | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Answering questions, building reports and dashboards, and watching every number of the business | Analysts writing SQL, Python and R, and sharing the results |
| Asking a question | Ask in plain words and get the answer in seconds, with the query and its sources shown | An analyst writes the SQL |
| Reports and dashboards | Dashboards from a question in plain words. Bring a report you already have as a PDF, screenshot or Excel file, and Adea rebuilds it from your live data. Send any of it on a schedule | Reports and dashboards built on an analyst's queries |
| Who can build them | Anyone who can ask a question | Analysts who write SQL |
| Getting started | Connect a read-only database. Adea learns what the tables mean, works out what's normal and suggests the numbers to watch, the same day | Connect a warehouse, then write the queries |
| When a number moves | Checks every number each night against what is normal for it, tells you in the morning, and tests the likely causes | A scheduled report, or an alert on a query's result |
| Where answers arrive | In Adea, Slack, Teams, mail and the AI assistant you already use | In Mode, by mail and in Slack |
| Personal data | Guardian checks every query before it runs and flags large pulls of personal data. On Business it can hold them until an admin says yes | Access rules your admins set on connections and spaces |
About Mode
A tool for analysts who work in SQL, Python and R, and share the results as reports and dashboards.
Written from how each tool describes itself, in October 2026. Tools change, so check theirs for today's details. Found something wrong? Write to us and we'll correct it.
Choose Mode when
- Your analysts want SQL, Python and R in one place
- You publish analysis as a written, checked report
Switching from Mode takes three steps
Start on the same database. Nothing in Mode has to change until you're ready.
- 1
Connect the same database, read-only
The one Mode already reads from. Adea only reads, and refuses a user that can write.
- 2
Adea sets itself up
It learns what your tables mean, works out what's normal and suggests the numbers to watch. You check the first ones.
- 3
Recreate the reports you rely on
Bring a screenshot or PDF of a Mode report, or its Excel export. Adea rebuilds it from your live data, ready to send on a schedule.
Not ready to switch everything? Run both while you move. Adea only reads the database, so Mode keeps working as it does today.
Questions
What is the best alternative to Mode?
For the people who don't write SQL, Adea. It answers in plain words with the query shown, builds dashboards and reports, and watches every number each night. Analysts who want SQL, Python and R in one place may keep Mode.
How is Adea different from Mode?
Mode is where analysts write code. Adea is where everyone else asks: in plain words, with answers in seconds and every number watched each night.
Is Adea a replacement for Mode?
For the everyday questions and the reports that run on a schedule, yes. Your analysts can keep Mode for the deep work in code.
Can I use Adea with Mode?
Yes. Adea connects to your database, not to Mode, so Mode keeps working exactly as it does today.
Is my data safe with Adea?
Adea connects with a database user that can only read, and refuses one that can write. Guardian checks every query before it runs and flags large pulls of personal data. Everything travels over HTTPS, the passwords you give Adea are encrypted with a key that belongs to your company alone, and no other company can see your numbers.
How long does it take to set up?
A couple of minutes to connect a database. Then Adea sets itself up: it learns what your tables mean and suggests the numbers to watch, and you check the first one. You can start free, with no card.
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