Compose SDK
Sisense Compose SDK is a software development kit, launched in 2023, that allows developers to embed analytics directly into their application code rather than relying on predefined dashboards.
Publisher review
Sisense Compose SDK is a software development kit, launched in 2023, that allows developers to embed analytics directly into their application code rather than relying on predefined dashboards. It is designed for teams building customer-facing analytics features—such as dynamic queries, charts, and filters—using common UI frameworks like React, Angular, Vue, and TypeScript. The SDK targets developers who need a code-first, modular approach to deliver customized data experiences, enabling rapid iteration and integration within existing frontend workflows. It is particularly suited for enterprises and regulated industries that require full white-labeling, premium support, and a dedicated customer success manager, as well as those seeking to leverage AI governance through a Bring Your Own LLM capability.
Compose SDK operates as a bridge between client-side libraries and Sisense's backend analytics platform. Developers can create Sisense queries on the fly and render results using their own UI components, without needing predefined dashboards or widgets. The SDK supports the creation of dynamic queries, charts, and filters directly from application code, and it provides a REST API for direct data interaction. The Fusion Winter 2024 release added co-authored dashboards and improved loading animations. The SDK is part of Sisense's Fusion suite, which includes Fusion Embed and Sisense Cloud. A 7-day free trial is available for AI analytics plans, and the SDK is open-source on GitHub under a monorepo structure.
Sisense Compose SDK competes directly with embedded analytics solutions from Tableau, Power BI, Looker, ThoughtSpot, and Redash. Compared to these alternatives, Compose SDK offers deeper code-level customization but requires a working Sisense instance and access to Sisense's backend infrastructure, adding setup overhead. Redash, for example, is noted as weaker for customizing visualizations and filters. The SDK's headless architecture gives developers more control over front-end design, but it also introduces integration complexity. Pricing starts between $40,000 and $90,000 in year one for most SaaS teams, which can be unpredictable compared to competitors with more transparent tiered pricing.
The honest trade-offs: Compose SDK provides extensive flexibility and customization for embedded analytics, but it comes with a steep learning curve and longer implementation timelines. Pricing is custom-quoted based on capacity and feature mix, making it less predictable than fixed-tier competitors. Limited native connector coverage compared to some alternatives means teams may need to build custom integrations. The SDK's reliance on Sisense's backend can create performance bottlenecks if not properly optimized. While the SDK enables rapid development and iteration, the initial setup and integration complexity can offset these gains for smaller teams. Comprehensive documentation and support are available, but the tool is best suited for organizations with dedicated developer resources and a clear need for white-labeled, code-driven analytics.
How it works
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Code-first analytics embedding
Allows developers to build dynamic queries, charts, and filters directly from application code without predefined dashboards or widgets.
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Multi-framework support
Supports React, Angular, Vue, and TypeScript, enabling integration into diverse frontend workflows and tech stacks.
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Full white-labeling
Offers complete branding customization for customer-facing dashboards, essential for enterprise and regulated industries.
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Bring Your Own LLM
Enables AI governance by allowing teams to use their own large language models for analytics, ensuring data privacy and compliance.
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REST API for data interaction
Provides a direct API layer for querying and manipulating data, supporting custom integrations and backend workflows.
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Co-authored dashboards
Introduced in Fusion Winter 2024, this feature allows multiple users to collaborate on dashboard creation in real time.
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7-day free trial
Offers a no-cost evaluation period for AI analytics plans, allowing teams to test the SDK before committing to a custom quote.
Strengths and trade-offs
Strengths
- Flexible and customizable analytics: Developers can build fully custom visualizations and queries using application code, enabling unique data experiences not possible with predefined dashboards.
- Supports multiple frameworks and languages: Compose SDK works with React, Angular, Vue, and TypeScript, allowing teams to integrate analytics into existing frontend stacks without rewriting code.
- Enables rapid development and iteration: The code-first approach reduces dependency on BI teams, allowing developers to create and modify analytics features in hours rather than weeks.
- Comprehensive documentation and support: Sisense provides extensive SDK documentation, a GitHub monorepo, and premium support with a dedicated customer success manager for enterprise plans.
Trade-offs
- Steep learning curve: Developers must understand Sisense's backend infrastructure and SDK APIs, which can take weeks to master, especially for teams new to embedded analytics.
- Longer implementation timelines: Initial setup requires a working Sisense instance and backend integration, adding weeks to deployment compared to plug-and-play alternatives.
- Pricing can be unpredictable: Custom quotes based on capacity and feature mix start between $40K and $90K in year one, with no published tiered pricing, making budgeting difficult.
- Limited native connector coverage: Compared to competitors like Tableau or Power BI, Compose SDK has fewer pre-built connectors, requiring custom development for some data sources.
Pricing context
Custom quotes based on capacity and feature mix. Pricing starts between $40,000 and $90,000 in year one for most SaaS teams. A 7-day free trial is available for AI analytics plans.
Getting started with Compose SDK
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Sign up for Sisense trial
Go to the Sisense website and sign up for a 7-day free trial of the AI analytics plan. Provide your email and organization details to create an account. After verification, you will receive access to the Sisense backend instance needed for the SDK.
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Install Compose SDK package
Open your terminal and navigate to your frontend project directory. Run the package manager command for your framework, such as npm install @sisense/sdk-ui for React, to add the Compose SDK library. Ensure your project uses a supported framework like React, Angular, Vue, or TypeScript.
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Connect to Sisense instance
In your application code, import the Sisense context provider from the SDK. Configure it with your Sisense instance URL and authentication token, which you can obtain from your Sisense account settings. Wrap your app components with this provider to establish the backend connection.
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Build a dynamic query and chart
Use the SDK's query components to define a data query, specifying measures and dimensions from your Sisense data model. Then, render a chart component, such as a bar or line chart, passing the query as a prop. This creates a live, code-driven visualization in your application.
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Deploy and monitor performance
Build your application for production using your framework's build tool. Deploy the bundle to your hosting environment. Monitor query response times and optimize by caching frequent queries or adjusting Sisense backend settings to prevent performance bottlenecks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sisense Compose SDK?
Sisense Compose SDK is a software development kit launched in 2023 that lets developers embed analytics directly into application code. It supports dynamic queries, charts, and filters using frameworks like React, Angular, Vue, and TypeScript, offering a code-first approach to custom data experiences.
How does Compose SDK compare to Tableau or Power BI for embedded analytics?
Compose SDK offers deeper code-level customization than Tableau or Power BI, but requires a working Sisense instance and backend setup. It provides more front-end control through its headless architecture, though competitors often have more transparent pricing and pre-built connectors.
What frameworks does Sisense Compose SDK support?
Compose SDK supports React, Angular, Vue, and TypeScript, allowing teams to integrate analytics into existing frontend workflows without rewriting code. This multi-framework support enables developers to build custom data experiences using their preferred UI libraries.
How much does Sisense Compose SDK cost?
Pricing for Compose SDK is custom-quoted based on capacity and feature mix, starting between $40,000 and $90,000 in year one for most SaaS teams. A 7-day free trial is available for AI analytics plans, but there are no published tiered pricing options.
What are the main benefits of using Compose SDK?
Compose SDK provides flexible and customizable analytics through a code-first approach, supporting rapid development and iteration. It enables full white-labeling for customer-facing dashboards, offers multi-framework support, and includes features like Bring Your Own LLM for AI governance and co-authored dashboards.
What are the drawbacks of Compose SDK for embedded analytics?
Compose SDK has a steep learning curve and longer implementation timelines due to required Sisense backend integration. Pricing can be unpredictable with custom quotes, and limited native connector coverage may necessitate custom development. It's best suited for teams with dedicated developer resources.
Alternatives
How Compose SDK compares
Direct head-to-head against 2 competitors. Picked by 7wData.
Compose SDK
- Pricing
- Custom quotes based on capacity and feature mix. Pricing starts between $40,000 and $90,000 in year one for most SaaS teams. A 7-day free trial is available for AI analytics plans.
- Target
- Sisense Compose SDK is a software development kit, launched in 2023, that allows developers to embed analytics directly into their application code rather than relying
- Strength
- Flexible and customizable analytics: Developers can build fully custom visualizations and queries using application code, enabling unique data experiences not possible with predefined dashboards.
- Watch for
- Steep learning curve: Developers must understand Sisense's backend infrastructure and SDK APIs, which can take weeks to master, especially for teams new to embedded analytics.
Embeddable
- Pricing
- Custom/Contact sales
- Target
- Developers needing headless embedded analytics
- Deployment
- Cloud, API-first
- Strength
- True headless architecture for full UI control
- Watch for
- Younger platform with fewer legacy integrations
Sisense
- Pricing
- $20,000+/year (enterprise)
- Target
- Large enterprises with complex BI needs
- Deployment
- Cloud or on-prem
- Strength
- Mature platform with extensive visualization library
- Watch for
- Heavyweight architecture can slow performance
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