How does Row Zero compare to Sigma? How is Row Zero better than Sigma? Where is Sigma better? When do companies choose Row Zero over Sigma and vice versa.
While both offer cloud solutions for big data analysis, there are significant difference between Row Zero vs Sigma. Here are 3 big differences:
1. Row Zero is a spreadsheet. Sigma is a BI tool.
Row Zero is an actual spreadsheet and is a secure and powerful replacement for Excel and Google Sheets. Sigma is a BI tool with a “spreadsheet-like” interface. Sigma is a replacement for Tableau or Power BI, but doesn’t eliminate the need for a spreadsheet. For example, export to Excel is a Sigma feature.
Row Zero works like Excel and Google Sheets. Same keyboard shortcuts and formula functions. You can create pivot tables, charts, and complex multi-sheet models. Unlike BI tools, you can edit raw data on a cell-by-cell basis. If you know how to use Excel or Google Sheets, you already know how to use Row Zero.
2. Speed - Row Zero is faster and more responsive than BI tools
Row Zero runs compute in memory in the cloud using our own proprietary spreadsheet engine. We don’t push compute back to the data warehouse. This makes the app super fast and responsive. Filter, sort, formulas, pivot tables, and charts are nearly instant even on 10s of millions of rows of data.
Conversely, BI tools typically push compute back to the data warehouse - so when you apply a filter or do a calculation, it writes a SQL query behind the scenes, queries the data warehouse, fetches the data, and brings it back. That’s a long round trip and is why BI tools tend to be slow to update and edit.
3. Cost - Sigma is expensive
Sigma reportedly has a significant upfront cost or platform fee, plus a significant per seat license. Vendr currently estimates a median price of $60,500, with a range from $17.5K to $132.5K. Also since Sigma delegates compute to the data warehouse, you’ll incur data warehouse costs based on usage.
Conversely, Row Zero offers an affordable pricing model - individuals can sign up for $10/month and corporate plans start at $30/user per month.
Generally companies choose Row Zero over Sigma when they want a secure, connected spreadsheet that can handle big data. Conversely, companies choose Sigma when they want a more user-friendly BI tool compared to Tableau or Power BI.
The key is whether you want a spreadsheet or a BI tool. You can read our review of Sigma vs Row Zero here.