Count: Collaborative SQL Analytics Canvas
What it is: Count (count.co) is a collaborative analytics tool built around an infinite canvas instead of a linear notebook or fixed dashboard grid - you drop in SQL queries, no-code transforms, charts, and notes as connected blocks, and the whole canvas is live-shared with teammates. More recently, Count has leaned into agentic AI, adding an assistant that can write and run queries alongside you on the same canvas, with every step visible and editable rather than hidden.
What It Does Best
Visual, connected analysis. The canvas format lets you branch off a query into multiple explorations, compare them side by side, and see how everything relates - closer to a whiteboard than a notebook.
Real-time collaboration. Teammates can work on the same canvas simultaneously and leave comments and discussion directly next to the relevant query or chart.
Transparent AI assistance. Count's AI agent writes SQL and builds visuals inline on the canvas, with the generated queries left visible and editable rather than hidden behind a chat window.
Key Features
Infinite canvas: freeform layout for connecting queries, charts, and notes visually
SQL and no-code blocks: mix raw SQL with drag-and-drop transforms and visualizations
AI agent: an assistant that drafts and runs SQL/analysis directly on the canvas
Live collaboration: multiplayer editing and threaded discussion attached to specific analysis
Browser-side compute: some computation runs client-side for faster, more responsive collaboration
Pricing
Count offers a free tier for individuals and small-scale use, with paid plans for teams that add collaboration limits, governance, and higher usage. As with most analytics SaaS tools, exact dollar pricing shifts over time and higher tiers commonly move to a custom quote, so treat specific figures as approximate and confirm current pricing on Count's site before budgeting.
Free: individual or small-team use with core canvas features
Paid team plans: adds collaboration at scale, governance, and higher usage limits
Enterprise: custom quote for larger organizations
When to Use It
✅ Your analysis naturally branches into multiple related explorations you want to see side by side
✅ You want live, multiplayer collaboration on SQL analysis, not just a shared dashboard
✅ You'd like an AI assistant that writes visible, editable SQL rather than a black-box chat answer
✅ Your team mixes SQL-comfortable and less-technical users on the same analysis
✅ You want a more visual, freeform alternative to linear notebooks
When NOT to Use It
❌ You need a traditional fixed-grid BI dashboard for recurring exec reporting
❌ You want a mature, large third-party ecosystem and long enterprise track record
❌ You need heavy governance and row-level security features found in enterprise BI suites
❌ Your team prefers linear notebooks over an open canvas layout
❌ You need guaranteed flat pricing without a possible move to custom quotes at scale
Common Use Cases
Exploratory analysis: branching SQL investigations laid out visually as you go
Collaborative debugging: teams working through a data question together in real time
AI-assisted analysis: letting an agent draft queries and visuals that analysts then refine
Lightweight internal reporting: canvases shared as living, explorable reports
Count vs Alternatives
vs Hex: both are collaborative, code-friendly analytics tools; Hex is notebook-and-app focused with strong scheduled app publishing, while Count centers on a freeform visual canvas and its own AI agent workflow.
vs Mode: Mode leans more toward traditional BI reporting and dashboards; Count is more exploratory and visual, built around connected analysis rather than fixed report layouts.
Rule of thumb: choose Count when you want a visual, branching, AI-assisted way to explore data collaboratively; choose Hex or Mode when structured apps or dashboards are the end goal.
Unique Strengths
Canvas-based analysis: a genuinely different layout paradigm from notebooks or dashboard grids, suited to nonlinear exploration.
Transparent AI agent: AI-generated SQL stays visible and editable on the canvas instead of being hidden in a chat sidebar.
Client-side compute: pushing some computation to the browser keeps collaboration responsive.
Bottom line: Count is worth trying if your analysis tends to branch and you want a visual, collaborative canvas rather than a linear notebook - especially if an AI assistant that shows its work appeals to you. It's less of a fit if you need a traditional fixed-layout BI dashboard.