At a glance
| Database connectors | Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery, Redshift, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server 2022, Azure SQL, AlloyDB, Starburst Galaxy; MotherDuck in beta |
| Dashboards | Workbooks with charts, tables, pivots and controls on live data |
| Embedding | Public embeds, or secure embedding with JWT-signed URLs |
| Semantic layer or modeling | Sigma data models with relationships and metrics, manageable as code |
| Deployment | SaaS only, hosted on AWS, Azure or Google Cloud regions |
| Licensing | Tiered user licences (View, Act, Analyze, Build); prices by quote |
Sigma suits organisations that already keep their data in a cloud warehouse and want business users, especially spreadsheet-minded finance and operations teams, to analyse and even write data back there without extracts. It has no public prices and no self-hosted option, and every query adds to your warehouse bill.
Overview
Sigma is a browser-based analytics platform from Sigma Computing. Users build workbooks that combine tables, pivot tables, charts and controls, using a spreadsheet-like formula interface, with SQL and Python available to builders. Sigma does not import your data: it connects to a data platform and runs live queries there, so results reflect the warehouse.
Supported platforms include Snowflake, Databricks, Google BigQuery, Amazon Redshift, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server 2022, Azure SQL, AlloyDB and Starburst Galaxy, with MotherDuck in beta. With write access enabled on a connection, Sigma can materialise results, upload CSV files and store input tables in the warehouse. Sigma itself is hosted on AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud in a choice of regions.
Key features
- Spreadsheet-style workbooks with formulas, pivot tables, charts and controls over live warehouse data
- Input tables and forms that write user-entered data back to the warehouse (needs write access on the connection)
- Data models with relationships and reusable metrics, which the API can read and write as JSON or YAML
- SQL and Python in workbooks for builders
- Public embedding, and secure embedding with one-time JWT-signed URLs for apps and customer portals
- Private connectivity through AWS PrivateLink and Azure Private Link for supported platforms
Pros and cons
Pros
- Familiar spreadsheet-style interface for business users on warehouse-scale data
- Live queries in the warehouse, with no extracts to schedule
- Write-back through input tables for planning and data entry workflows
- Licence tiers let light users pay for less than full builders
Cons
- No public prices; you need a sales conversation
- SaaS only, with no self-hosted deployment
- Every interaction runs warehouse queries, which adds compute cost on usage-billed warehouses
- Some features vary by data platform, per Sigma's own feature support table
Pricing
Sigma does not publish prices: its pricing page, checked 7 November 2026, routes buyers to a demo request or to the sales team. Users are licensed in tiers (View, Act, Analyze and Build in the current model), so cost depends on how many people need each tier. A free trial is offered with no payment details required; Sigma's help documentation describes it as a 7-day trial that starts when the trial organization is created. Queries run in your own data warehouse, so warehouse compute is billed separately by that provider.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Companies with data in Snowflake, Databricks or BigQuery that want spreadsheet-minded business teams to analyse, model and write back data in the warehouse, or to embed analytics in their own products.
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams without a cloud data warehouse, or that need a free or self-hosted tool: see open source BI tools.
Verdict
Sigma is a good fit for warehouse-centred organisations that want spreadsheet-style analysis and write-back without moving data out of the warehouse. Weigh the quote-only pricing and the extra warehouse compute against the benefit of live, governed data, and check feature support for your specific platform.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Sigma Computing cost?
Sigma does not publish prices; its pricing page routes buyers to sales (checked 7 November 2026). Users are licensed in tiers (View, Act, Analyze, Build), and the queries Sigma runs are billed separately by your warehouse provider.
Does Sigma copy data out of the warehouse?
No. Sigma connects to your data platform and runs live queries there. With write access enabled, it can also store input tables, uploaded CSV files and materialisations in the warehouse.
Which databases does Sigma support?
Sigma lists AlloyDB, Azure SQL Database, Amazon Redshift, Databricks, Google BigQuery, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, Starburst Galaxy and SQL Server 2022 or Azure SQL Managed Instance, with MotherDuck in beta.
Sources
- Sigma Help: supported regions, data platforms and features
- Sigma Help: connect to data sources
- Sigma Help: account types and license overview
- Sigma Help: intro to embedded analytics
- Sigma Help: manage data models as code
- Sigma pricing
Checked November 2026.
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