Columns vs Julius AI (2026): Pricing, Features & Which to Choose

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 $16/mo
Free plan
Tie
Both have one
Higher rating
Julius AI
3.9 against 4.3
Same job?
Yes
Both are Data and Analytics tools

Side by side

Compared on	Columns	Julius AI
Our rating	3.9	4.3Better
Starts at	$6.25/moBetter	$16/mo
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Category	Data and Analytics	Data and Analytics
Plans	From $6.25/mo	Free$0 Plus$20/mo, or $16/mo billed yearly Pro$45/mo, or $37/mo billed yearly Max$200/mo, or $166/mo billed yearly Business$450/mo, or $375/mo billed yearly
Key features	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	Direct upload and chat with spreadsheet or CSV files No database connection setup required Visible underlying code alongside generated results Charts and statistics generated from conversation Free tier for limited use
Pros	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	No database setup required, works directly with uploaded files Visible code supports verification for more technical users Accessible to a broad, less technical audience
Cons	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	Less suited to live, continuously updating data sources than database-connected tools File size and volume limits apply on lower tiers Less enterprise governance than dedicated BI platforms
Company	Columns AI, founded 2021	Julius AI, founded 2022

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

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Columns better than Julius AI?

In our reviews Columns scores 3.9 and Julius AI scores 4.3. The better pick depends on the job. Columns: Columns AI connects to spreadsheets and databases to auto-generate interactive data stories and dashboards without SQL. Julius AI: Chat directly with an uploaded spreadsheet or CSV file.

Which is cheaper, Columns or Julius AI?

Columns has the lower starting price: from $6.25/mo for Columns and from $16/mo for Julius AI.

Do Columns and Julius AI have free plans?

Yes, both have a free plan.

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