Connect the whole business process
Look beyond a single warehouse table. Define which systems need to receive updates and which APIs, permissions, and failure states the application must handle.
Looking for an alternative to Sigma? Build the app around your workflow.
Sigma brings analytics and data apps to your warehouse. Reflex AI Builder is an alternative when you want a custom operational application: describe the screens, integrations, and business process, then refine the app around how your team works.
Example prompt
Build a deal-tracking app from our warehouse that updates our CRM when a rep changes a deal stage, with different views for reps and leadership.
When to consider an alternative to Sigma
Sigma already supports forms, write-back, and workflows. The choice is how well each product fits the application, integrations, and deployment your team needs.
Give each role the right experience
Define what reps, managers, and operations staff can see and change within the app. Build role-aware screens and enforce access rules in the application, then test them with each audience.
Build a repeatable operational workflow
Turn the data into a screen people use to complete a task: update a deal, approve a request, or resolve an exception. Compare the full process and integrations, not just the dashboard.
Sigma vs Reflex AI Builder
Both can support interactive data workflows. Compare the application model and how it connects to your systems.
Scroll horizontally to compare →
| Decision | Sigma | Reflex |
|---|---|---|
| Application model | Builds analytics and interactive data apps with a visual interface connected to your data platform. | Build custom application screens, state, and backend logic in Python. Start with AI in Reflex Build or develop directly with the framework. |
| Python across the app | Python elements run code through supported data platform connections and can use workbook data, controls, libraries, and APIs. | Use Python for both the application interface and server-side behavior, with the backend running in your chosen deployment environment. |
| Forms and workflows | Supports user input, write-back, and interactive workflows. Sigma apps extend beyond read-only dashboards. | Design forms, approval steps, and record updates around your process. Implement validation and authorization in your application’s event handlers. |
| Deployment choice | Sigma organizations are hosted on supported AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud regions; features vary by platform and region. | Choose managed Reflex hosting or self-host the framework’s frontend and Python backend on your infrastructure. |
| Development foundation | Provides a platform for analytics, data apps, and embedded experiences, with visual and code-based extension capabilities. | Build on an Apache 2.0 open-source framework with application code your team can review, test, and extend. |
Framework, AI Builder, and hosting: what's included?
Open-source framework
The Apache 2.0 Python framework is available independently of Build and managed hosting. Your app still depends on Reflex and its other packages.
Reflex Build
The AI development product generates and edits framework-based apps. Usage, private projects, repository access, and export entitlements belong to your plan.
Hosting and App Management
Managed deployment is an operating service. You can also self-host a framework app, providing its frontend, Python backend, configuration, and maintenance.
Enterprise
Enterprise packages and services have separate entitlements. Workspace SSO is distinct from app-user authentication. Authorization, auditing, and private deployment need configuration and an agreed operating plan.
Describe, build, test, ship
From an idea to a reviewed application in four steps.
Describe what you want
A prompt, a document, or a screenshot of the workbook you have today.
Watch it come to life
See the app build in a live preview as it's generated.
Test before you ship
Use AI-generated tests as a starting point. Review the results and check permissions, data accuracy, and real user workflows.
Choose where to deploy
Use Reflex hosting or plan a self-hosted deployment. Review code export, infrastructure, and support requirements for your plan.
Built with Reflex
Bayesline on building financial applications with Reflex.
“Reflex definitely saved us from needing to hire a frontend engineer and sped us up by 4x relative to learning React”
Going beyond Sigma
Start with approved warehouse data and describe the actions your team needs: update a CRM record, approve a request, or show a different view for each role. Connect the required systems and validate data, permissions, and writes before moving the workflow out of Sigma.
Frequently asked questions
The practical details before you choose.
What's a good alternative to Sigma for building a custom app on our data?
Reflex AI Builder is an option when you want a custom operational application around your data and systems. Sigma also supports interactive apps and write-back; compare your actual workflow, integrations, and deployment requirements.
Can it update systems like our CRM directly, not just the warehouse?
Yes, a Reflex application can call your CRM or other system APIs to update records. Configure the connection, credentials, and permissions, then validate writes and failure handling before enabling it for users.
Can it handle different permissions for different roles within the same view?
Yes. Describe who should see or edit each part of the app and review the generated logic. Enforce permissions on the server as well as in the interface, and test with each user role.
Is Reflex AI Builder a BI tool like Sigma?
Reflex AI Builder generates applications that can include dashboards, forms, and approval workflows. Sigma combines analytics and data apps in its platform. Choose based on the experience and integrations you need.
How should we compare the cost of Sigma and Reflex?
Compare platform subscriptions, app-generation usage, warehouse compute, hosting, and maintenance. Connecting a Reflex app to a warehouse still incurs that warehouse’s costs. Review current plans for your expected workload.
What about governance?
Review generated code, tests, and security findings with your team. Configure application permissions and data access deliberately; generated output does not replace your organization’s governance process.
Describe the application your data actually needs
Start with one workflow and refine it with your team.