Apache Zeppelin vs Hex: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Apache Zeppelin and Hex side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Apache Zeppelin
A multi-purpose notebook for data ingestion, discovery, analytics, visualization, and collaboration.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Hex requires payment)
Hex
Collaborative data workspace for analytics
Best for you if:
- • You want collaborative data workspace
| At a Glance | Apache Zeppelin | Hex |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan, paid from $36/editor/mo, billed monthly Professional plan |
Category | Analytics Data Visualization | Business Intelligence Analytics |
Rating | 3.8/5 G2 3.7 · Capterra 4.0 15 reviews | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 404 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | No explicit mention of data storage costs. |
Choose Apache Zeppelin or Hex?
Choose Apache Zeppelin if
- You want a fully free tool (Hex requires payment)
- You want highly flexible due to pluggable interpreter architecture
- You want strong integration with Apache Spark
- You work in analytics, not business intelligence
Choose Hex if
- You want collaborative data workspace
- You want python/SQL support
- You work in business intelligence, not analytics
In-Depth Analysis
Apache Zeppelin
A multi-purpose notebook for data ingestion, discovery, analytics, visualization, and collaboration.
Apache Zeppelin's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Highly flexible due to pluggable interpreter architecture
- Pro: Strong integration with Apache Spark
- Pro: Facilitates collaboration among data professionals
- Pro: Easy to share insights by embedding visualizations
- Pro: Completely free and open-source
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires self-hosting and management
- Con: Embedding feature needs careful security consideration in untrusted environments
- Con: Visualization options might be basic compared to dedicated BI tools
Key features
Hex
Collaborative data workspace for analytics
Hex offers a fair pricing model, especially with its generous free 'Community' tier allowing 3 projects and 1 editor.
Watch out
No explicit mention of data storage costs.
Strengths
- Pro: Collaborative data workspace
- Pro: Python/SQL support
- Pro: Good for analytics
- Pro: Team features
- Pro: Good visualizations
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Performance varies
- Con: Enterprise focus
- Con: Better for larger teams
Key features
Plans and prices: Apache Zeppelin vs Hex
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Zeppelin |
| zeppelin.apache.org read Sep 30, 2026 |
| Hex |
| hex.tech/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Apache Zeppelin pricing and Hex pricing.
Key Takeaways
Apache Zeppelin
- Choose if you want a multi-purpose notebook for data ingestion, discovery, analytics, visualization, and collaboration
Hex
- Choose if you want collaborative data workspace for analytics
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (3.8/5 from 15 reviews for Apache Zeppelin, 4.5/5 from 404 reviews for Hex; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Hex starts at $36/editor/mo, billed monthly; Apache Zeppelin has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Apache Zeppelin and Hex compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (3.8/5 from 15 reviews for Apache Zeppelin, 4.5/5 from 404 reviews for Hex; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Hex starts at $36/editor/mo, billed monthly; Apache Zeppelin has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Apache Zeppelin and Hex used for?
Apache Zeppelin: A multi-purpose notebook for data ingestion, discovery, analytics, visualization, and collaboration. Hex: Collaborative data workspace for analytics.
What does Apache Zeppelin cost vs Hex?
Apache Zeppelin is free. Hex's cheapest paid plan is Professional at $36/editor/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Apache Zeppelin and Hex?
Apache Zeppelin's main strength: highly flexible due to pluggable interpreter architecture. Hex's main strength: collaborative data workspace.