Best AI for Data Analysis: 8 Tools That Replace Excel (2026)

Excel has been the default data analysis tool for decades, but AI-powered alternatives are now genuinely faster for most common tasks. Instead of writing formulas, building pivot tables, and manually creating charts, you can describe what you want in plain English and get results in seconds. We tested eight AI tools that handle data analysis — from general-purpose chatbots to specialized platforms — to find out which ones actually deliver on that promise. Here is how they stack up. See also our guide to Notion AI alternatives for workspace management. For related options, check out our guide to AI for R programming.

TL;DR: Top 3 Picks

1. ChatGPT (Code Interpreter) — Best all-around AI for data analysis with the most capable code execution environment
2. Julius AI — Best dedicated data analysis platform for business users who need recurring reports
3. Claude (Artifacts) — Best for interactive dashboards and visual data exploration

Comparison Table

Tool	Best For	Pricing	File Upload	Code Execution	Visualizations	Database Connect
ChatGPT	General data analysis	$20/mo (Plus)	Yes (50MB)	Python sandbox	Interactive charts	No
Claude	Interactive dashboards	$20/mo (Pro)	Yes (20MB)	Via Artifacts	Interactive (Plotly)	Via MCP
Julius AI	Business reporting	Free–$375/mo	Yes	Python, R, SQL	20+ chart types	Postgres, BigQuery, Snowflake
Rows AI	Budget spreadsheet AI	Free–$17/mo	Yes	Limited	Basic charts	Limited
Akkio	Predictive analytics	$49–$60/mo	Yes	No-code ML	Dashboards	Yes
Obviously AI	No-code predictions	Custom pricing	Yes	No-code ML	Basic	Yes
Polymer	Spreadsheet transformation	Free tier available	Yes	No	Auto-generated	Google Sheets
MonkeyLearn	Text/sentiment analysis	Custom pricing	Yes	No-code NLP	Text-focused	API

1. ChatGPT (Code Interpreter / Advanced Data Analysis)

ChatGPT’s Code Interpreter — now officially called Advanced Data Analysis — runs Python code in a secure sandbox environment. You upload a CSV, Excel file, or PDF, ask questions in plain English, and ChatGPT writes and executes Python code to analyze your data. It handles everything from basic summary statistics to regression analysis and machine learning models. See also our guide to best AI tools for Excel. We also cover this in our roundup of AI productivity tools.

Key Features

• Natural language queries — ask “What are the top 10 customers by revenue?” and get a formatted answer
• Auto-generated Python code — ChatGPT writes Pandas, Matplotlib, and Scikit-learn code behind the scenes
• Interactive charts — bar, pie, scatter, and line charts you can interact with directly
• Error self-correction — if the generated code fails, ChatGPT automatically debugs and retries
• File support — CSV, Excel, PDF, JSON, and more (up to 50MB per file, 20 files per conversation)
• Reasoning models — o3/o4-mini models for advanced statistical analysis and simulations

Pricing

Plan	Price	Data Analysis Access
Free	$0	Limited queries, basic analysis
Plus	$20/mo	Full Code Interpreter, higher limits
Pro	$200/mo	Priority access, extended context

Pros

• Most capable code execution environment
• Handles complex multi-step analyses well
• Great at explaining results in plain language
• Supports the widest range of file formats

Cons

• No persistent database connections — you re-upload files each session
• Sandbox environment has no internet access (cannot pull live data)
• Analysis steps are hidden by default, making it harder to verify methodology
• 50MB file limit can be restrictive for larger datasets

2. Claude (Artifacts)

Claude’s Artifacts feature turns data analysis into interactive, shareable applications. Instead of just generating static charts, Claude creates full interactive dashboards using Plotly.js that you can filter, zoom, and explore. The persistent storage feature (up to 20MB per artifact) means your dashboards survive between sessions. See also: AI tools for small business.

Key Features

• Interactive dashboards — upload CSV data and get a Plotly-powered dashboard you can manipulate
• Persistent storage — artifacts retain data across sessions (up to 20MB)
• Screenshot data extraction — send a screenshot of a table and Claude extracts structured data
• MCP integrations — connect to external tools like Google Sheets, databases, and APIs
• Shareable — publish artifacts for others to use without needing a Claude account
• AI-powered artifacts — artifacts can call Claude’s API directly for self-updating analysis tools

Pricing

Plan	Price	Artifacts Access
Free	$0	Basic artifact creation
Pro	$20/mo	Full features, higher limits
Max	$100/mo	Extended usage, priority
Team	$25/user/mo	Collaboration features

Pros

• Best interactive visualizations among chatbot tools
• Persistent storage is unique — dashboards survive between sessions
• Shareable artifacts are great for team collaboration
• MCP connections enable live data integrations

Cons

• Less capable at complex statistical analysis than ChatGPT’s Code Interpreter
• Smaller file upload limits than ChatGPT
• Artifact creation can be inconsistent — sometimes requires multiple prompts to get right
• No native Python execution for custom analysis scripts

3. Julius AI

Julius AI is purpose-built for data analysis. Unlike general chatbots, Julius connects directly to databases (Postgres, BigQuery, Snowflake) and learns your business context over time. It supports Python, R, and SQL for reproducible analysis, and can generate scheduled automated reports.

Key Features

• Database connectivity — connect directly to Postgres, BigQuery, Snowflake, and more
• Multiple languages — write queries in Python, R, or SQL, or just use natural language
• 20+ chart types — more visualization options than any chatbot
• Automated reporting — schedule recurring reports that run automatically
• Learning system — improves understanding of your data with every interaction
• SOC 2 Type II compliant — enterprise-grade security

Pricing

Plan	Price	What You Get
Free	$0	5 messages, basic analysis
Plus	$20/mo	Conversational analysis, visualizations
Pro	$37/mo	Unlimited queries, automated reporting
Business	$375/mo	Custom agents, business context learning

Pros

• Purpose-built for data analysis (not a general chatbot)
• Direct database connections eliminate file upload friction
• Automated reporting saves hours of recurring work
• Learns your business terminology and data patterns

Cons

• Free tier is extremely limited (5 messages)
• Business plan is expensive at $375/month
• Steeper learning curve than chatbot-based tools
• Less useful for one-off, exploratory analysis

4. Rows AI

Rows AI adds AI capabilities to a spreadsheet interface. If you are comfortable with spreadsheets but want AI-powered analysis, Rows bridges that gap. You get a familiar grid layout with the ability to ask questions about your data in natural language.

Key Features

• Spreadsheet interface — familiar rows-and-columns layout with AI overlay
• Natural language queries — ask questions about your data without formulas
• Persistent files — your data stays saved (unlike ChatGPT’s session-based approach)
• Export-ready — results export cleanly to CSV, Excel, or Google Sheets

Pricing

Plan	Price	What You Get
Free	$0	Basic features, limited AI queries
Pro	$17/mo	Unlimited AI queries, priority processing

Pros

• Most affordable paid option at $17/month
• Familiar spreadsheet interface reduces learning curve
• Files persist — no re-uploading between sessions
• Clean export options

Cons

• Inconsistent AI response quality compared to ChatGPT or Claude
• Limited database connection options
• Basic visualization capabilities
• Less powerful for complex statistical analysis

5. Akkio

Akkio is a no-code machine learning platform focused on predictive analytics. While the tools above are great for descriptive analysis (what happened), Akkio specializes in predictive analysis (what will happen). It is designed for marketing teams, sales operations, and business analysts who need predictions without data science expertise.

Key Features

• No-code ML models — build prediction models by pointing and clicking
• Lead scoring — predict which leads are most likely to convert
• Churn prediction — identify customers at risk of leaving
• Sales forecasting — project revenue based on historical patterns
• Marketing attribution — understand which channels drive results

Pricing

Plan	Price	What You Get
Free Trial	$0	Limited access, no credit card required
Starter	$49/mo	Core features, limited predictions
Professional	$99/mo	Full ML capabilities, more data
Enterprise	Custom	Custom models, dedicated support

Pros

• Best tool for predictive analytics without coding
• Fast time-to-value — go from spreadsheet to predictions in hours
• Strong marketing and sales use cases
• Competitive pricing for ML capabilities

Cons

• Not designed for exploratory data analysis
• Limited visualization and reporting features
• Requires structured, clean data to work well
• Smaller community and fewer learning resources than major chatbots

6. Obviously AI

Obviously AI targets “citizen data scientists” — business users who want to build prediction models without writing code. You upload tabular data, define what you want to predict, and the platform automatically selects and trains the appropriate ML model.

Key Features

• Auto-ML — automatically selects the best model for your data
• Prediction targets — define what column to predict, the tool handles the rest
• Fast iteration — test multiple scenarios quickly
• Explainable AI — see which factors drive predictions

Pricing

Obviously AI uses custom pricing based on usage and team size. Contact their sales team for a quote.

Pros

• Simplest path from data to predictions
• Good explainability features — understand why predictions are made
• Fast experimentation cycles
• Solid for mid-market teams

Cons

• Custom pricing makes it hard to evaluate cost upfront
• Visualization and governance features lag behind enterprise tools
• Limited to tabular data
• Less flexible than code-based approaches

7. Polymer

Polymer transforms spreadsheets into searchable, filterable databases with AI-powered insights. Upload a CSV or connect Google Sheets, and Polymer automatically identifies patterns, creates visualizations, and lets you explore your data through an intuitive interface.

Key Features

• Auto-pattern detection — AI identifies trends and relationships in your data
• Spreadsheet-to-database — converts flat spreadsheets into structured, queryable databases
• Google Sheets integration — works with your existing spreadsheets
• Auto-generated visualizations — charts and graphs created from your data structure

Pricing

Polymer offers a free tier with paid plans available. Check their website for current pricing details.

Pros

• Turns messy spreadsheets into structured databases instantly
• Pattern detection surfaces insights you might miss manually
• Low learning curve for spreadsheet users
• Good for initial data exploration

Cons

• Limited to spreadsheet-style data
• No predictive analytics capabilities
• Fewer integration options than competitors
• Less powerful for complex statistical analysis

8. MonkeyLearn

MonkeyLearn specializes in text analysis — sentiment analysis, text classification, and keyword extraction. If your data is text-based (customer reviews, support tickets, survey responses, social media comments), MonkeyLearn is purpose-built for those use cases.

Key Features

• Sentiment analysis — automatically classify text as positive, negative, or neutral
• Text classification — categorize support tickets, reviews, or feedback by topic
• Keyword extraction — pull key phrases from large text datasets
• Custom models — train classifiers on your specific data and categories
• API access — integrate text analysis into existing workflows

Pricing

MonkeyLearn uses custom pricing. They offer plans based on query volume and features needed.

Pros

• Best-in-class text and sentiment analysis
• Highest cost efficiency rating (8.8/10) among specialized tools
• Custom model training for domain-specific analysis
• Strong API for workflow integration

Cons

• Limited to text data — not useful for numerical analysis
• Custom pricing lacks transparency
• Narrow use case compared to general-purpose tools
• Requires some setup for custom models

How to Choose the Right Tool

For general data analysis (replacing Excel for most tasks):
Start with ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo). It handles the widest range of analysis tasks and explains results clearly.

For interactive dashboards and sharing:
Claude Pro ($20/mo) with Artifacts creates the best shareable, interactive visualizations. For more details, check out our ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini.

For recurring business reports:
Julius AI Pro ($37/mo) offers database connections and automated scheduling that general chatbots lack. For more details, check out our AI for SQL development.

For predictive analytics:
Akkio ($49/mo) gets you from spreadsheet to ML predictions without a data science team.

For text analysis:
MonkeyLearn handles sentiment, classification, and extraction better than any general-purpose tool.

On a tight budget:
Rows AI at $17/month gives you AI-powered spreadsheet analysis at the lowest price point. For more details, check out our free AI tools in 2026.

FAQ

Can AI really replace Excel?

For many common tasks, yes. AI tools handle summary statistics, chart creation, trend analysis, and basic modeling faster than Excel. However, Excel is still better for highly customized financial models, complex formulas that need precise control, and situations where you need exact reproducibility. Most users will benefit from using AI tools alongside Excel rather than replacing it entirely.

Which AI data analysis tool is most accurate?

ChatGPT’s Code Interpreter is the most capable for complex analysis because it executes actual Python code. However, a Harvard Data Science Review study (Winter 2026) noted that while ChatGPT suggests reasonable starting points, the interpretation of results can still be misleading. Always verify critical findings manually. For more recommendations, see our list of AI for data analysis in 2026.

Do I need coding skills to use these tools?

No. Every tool on this list works with natural language queries. You describe what you want in plain English, and the tool handles the technical execution. That said, users with some coding knowledge will get better results because they can verify and adjust the generated code.

How secure is my data with AI analysis tools?

Security varies significantly. Julius AI holds SOC 2 Type II certification. ChatGPT’s Code Interpreter runs in an isolated sandbox that is destroyed after 13 hours of inactivity. For sensitive data, check each tool’s data retention policies and compliance certifications before uploading.

Can these tools handle large datasets?

ChatGPT supports files up to 50MB. Julius AI connects directly to databases with no practical file size limit. For very large datasets (hundreds of millions of rows), you will still need dedicated data infrastructure — these tools work best with datasets that fit in memory, typically under a few million rows.

Conclusion

The best AI for data analysis depends on what you are analyzing and how often. ChatGPT’s Code Interpreter is the most versatile option for general analysis. Julius AI is the strongest choice for teams that need database connections and recurring reports. Claude Artifacts stands out for interactive, shareable dashboards.

For most users, starting with ChatGPT Plus at $20/month covers 80% of data analysis needs. Add a specialized tool like Julius or Akkio when you hit the limits of what a general chatbot can do.

If you are comparing the underlying AI models, check out our Gemini vs ChatGPT comparison and our guide to the best AI chatbots for more context on the platforms behind these tools.