SaturnSQL vs Hex
Last updated May 19, 2026 · By the SaturnSQL team
Hex and SaturnSQL both live in the "modern data tool" bucket, but they solve different problems. Hex is a notebook-style data workspace that mixes SQL, Python, and no-code cells to build dashboards and interactive data apps. SaturnSQL is a focused, browser-based team SQL editor with a shared query library and scheduled queries to Google Sheets.
This page is an honest side-by-side: feature table, pricing, where each tool is genuinely stronger, and a clear recommendation depending on what your team actually does day to day.
TL;DR
Choose Hex if you need Python alongside SQL, want to build polished charts and interactive data apps for non-technical stakeholders, or run analysis on BigQuery / Snowflake. It is a real notebook environment and the price reflects that.
Choose SaturnSQL if your team mostly writes SQL against Postgres, MySQL, SQL Server, or Redshift, wants a shared query library, and needs scheduled results pushed to Google Sheets. Lower overhead, lower price, no notebook learning curve.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| SaturnSQL | Hex | |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-serve signup | ✓ | ✓ |
| Browser-based | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full SQL editor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Schema-aware autocomplete | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shared query library | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scheduled queries | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google Sheets sync (native) | ✓ | — |
| AI SQL assistant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Python / notebook cells | — | ✓ |
| Charts & dashboards | — | ✓ |
| Interactive data apps | — | ✓ |
| PostgreSQL | ✓ | ✓ |
| MySQL / MariaDB | ✓ | ✓ |
| SQL Server | ✓ | ✓ |
| Amazon Redshift | ✓ | ✓ |
| DynamoDB | ✓ | — |
| BigQuery / Snowflake | — | ✓ |
| Starting price | €19/user/mo | $36/editor/mo |
Where Hex is better
Hex is a genuinely strong product. Pretending otherwise would not help you make the right call.
- Python and SQL in one place. If your analysts mix dbt models, SQL queries, and Python-based forecasting or stats, Hex's notebook lets you chain them in a single document.
- Charts, dashboards, and interactive apps. Hex has a proper visualization layer and an app builder for sharing results with non-SQL users. SaturnSQL does not.
- BigQuery and Snowflake support. Hex connects to the warehouses SaturnSQL does not currently support.
- Magic (AI) inside notebooks. Hex's AI features are tightly integrated with notebook context, which is useful for multi-step analysis.
- Versioning and review workflows. Hex has a more mature project versioning model suited to analytics teams shipping reports.
Where SaturnSQL is better
- Focused SQL workspace. No notebook concept to learn, no Python required. Open the app, write SQL, share it, schedule it.
- Native Google Sheets scheduling. Pick a query, pick a Sheet, pick a cadence. This is a first-class SaturnSQL workflow, not an afterthought.
- Cheaper per seat. €19/user/mo vs $36/editor/mo. For a 5-person team that is a meaningful budget difference, especially at the starter tier.
- Shared query library by default. Every saved query is a team resource. No project structure to manage.
- Lower onboarding cost. A new hire who already knows SQL is productive in minutes, not hours.
- DynamoDB support. SaturnSQL handles DynamoDB (via PartiQL-style querying) which Hex does not.
Pricing comparison
| Tier | SaturnSQL | Hex |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free tier for small teams | Community plan, limited compute |
| Starter / Team | €19/user/mo (Starter) | $36/editor/mo (Team) |
| Pro | €29/user/mo (adds AI) | Custom (Professional / Enterprise) |
| Enterprise | Contact sales | Contact sales |
Pricing accurate as of May 2026 from public pricing pages. Check both vendors for the latest numbers.
Switching from Hex
If you are moving off Hex because the notebook layer is overkill, switching is mostly a copy-paste exercise: pull the SQL out of each Hex SQL cell, paste it into SaturnSQL, save it to the team library, and re-create the schedule. You will lose Python cells and chart cells, so audit your projects first. See SaturnSQL pricing for current plans.
Frequently asked questions
Is SaturnSQL a replacement for Hex?
Not entirely. Hex is a notebook-style data workspace with SQL, Python, and interactive data apps. SaturnSQL is a focused team SQL editor with scheduled queries and Google Sheets export. If you mainly need SQL plus scheduling, SaturnSQL is simpler and cheaper. If you need Python, charts, and interactive apps for stakeholders, Hex is the better fit.
How much does Hex cost compared to SaturnSQL?
Hex paid plans start at $36 per editor per month. SaturnSQL paid plans start at €19 per user per month and there is a free tier. Hex also has a free tier, but pricing scales faster as you add editors and need higher compute tiers.
Does SaturnSQL support BigQuery or Snowflake like Hex does?
Not yet. SaturnSQL currently supports PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, Microsoft SQL Server, Amazon Redshift, and Amazon DynamoDB. Hex supports BigQuery and Snowflake. If those are your primary warehouses, Hex is the right choice today.
Can Hex push query results to Google Sheets on a schedule?
Hex supports scheduled runs and can publish to its own report layer, but its native flow is dashboards and data apps rather than scheduled writes to Google Sheets. SaturnSQL is built around exactly that workflow: write SQL once, schedule it, results land in a Sheet.
Which is easier to learn, SaturnSQL or Hex?
SaturnSQL is simpler because it focuses on SQL editing, sharing, and scheduling. Hex is a full notebook environment with SQL cells, Python cells, no-code cells, and an app builder, which gives more power but a steeper learning curve.
Can I use both?
Plenty of teams do. Use SaturnSQL as the day-to-day team SQL workspace for Postgres/MySQL/SQL Server with scheduled Sheets exports, and reach for Hex when you need a Python-heavy notebook or an interactive app for stakeholders.
Try SaturnSQL free