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Head to head · 2026

Bricks vs Columns

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

Bricks

The middle ground between plain Excel and full Tableau complexity

4.2$20/mo

Visit Bricks (opens Bricks in a new tab)

Columns

Columns AI connects to spreadsheets and databases to auto-generate interactive data stories and dashboards without SQL

3.9$6.25/mo

Visit Columns (opens Columns in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    Columns

    From $6.25/mo against from $20/mo

  • Free plan

    Tie

    Both have one

  • Higher rating

    Bricks

    4.2 against 3.9

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Data and Analytics tools

Side by side

Compared onBricksColumns
Our rating4.2Better3.9
Starts at$20/mo$6.25/moBetter
Free planYesYes
CategoryData and AnalyticsData and Analytics
Plans
  • FreeFree
  • Pro$20/mo
From $6.25/mo
Key features
  • Combined spreadsheet, dashboard, report, and presentation generation
  • One-click theming and drag-and-drop layout adjustment
  • Data refresh without rebuilding visualizations from scratch
  • Positioned between simple spreadsheets and complex BI platforms
  • Free tier for limited use
  • No-code connection to spreadsheets, databases, and APIs
  • AI-generated interactive charts and annotations
  • Voice-over narration for data stories
  • Built-in reference data catalogs across multiple industries
  • Shareable, embeddable published stories
Pros
  • Genuinely different middle-ground positioning between simple and complex tools
  • Combines several output formats (dashboard, report, deck) from one data source
  • Faster iteration than rebuilding visualizations manually
  • Narrated, interactive stories communicate data better than static screenshots
  • Free plan requires no credit card to start
  • Annual price ($75) undercuts most business intelligence tooling
Cons
  • Less powerful than dedicated enterprise BI platforms for complex analysis
  • Company founding details are thinner than more established competitors
  • Best suited to teams prioritizing speed and storytelling over deep analytical depth
  • Niche user base (around 12,000) compared to mainstream BI tools
  • Less suited to complex, multi-table analytical modeling than dedicated BI platforms
  • AppSumo lifetime deal pricing suggests reliance on deal-site customer acquisition
CompanyThe Bricks Inc.Columns AI, founded 2021

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260808. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Bricks better than Columns?

In our reviews Bricks scores 4.2 and Columns scores 3.9. The better pick depends on the job. Bricks: The middle ground between plain Excel and full Tableau complexity. Columns: Columns AI connects to spreadsheets and databases to auto-generate interactive data stories and dashboards without SQL.

Which is cheaper, Bricks or Columns?

Columns has the lower starting price: from $20/mo for Bricks and from $6.25/mo for Columns.

Do Bricks and Columns have free plans?

Yes, both have a free plan.

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