How to Build Your Own Hex
Replace Hex with a custom build. Bring the magic of AI to data, for everyone
Build Difficulty: 5/5
Build a working replacement in a weekend with AI tools
Estimated Timeline
Based on 42 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 42 features
Security(7 features)
Track all user actions and data access for compliance and security
Restrict editing and viewing of notebooks and data based on user roles
Role-based access control for data exploration with view-only permissions
HIPAA-compliant deployment option for healthcare organizations
Securely connect databases using OAuth authentication
+2 more in this category
AI(6 features)
Collaborative notebooks with cells for code, queries, and visualizations with a built-in AI agent that helps go deeper faster
Quickly modify and generate content using AI assistance
Explore data using natural language without requiring code knowledge
AI agent that can help build charts, analyze data, and automate repetitive analysis tasks without manual chart building
AI agent that can query endorsed semantic models with standardized definitions and pre-calculated metrics
+1 more in this category
Integration(5 features)
Connect any data source to query and analyze data
Embed Hex analytics into third-party applications
Export projects to Git and manage version control
Access Hex functionality via REST APIs for custom integrations
Embed Hex dashboards and run analytics directly from Slack, with MCP support for Claude and Cursor
Collaboration(4 features)
Organize and share groups of notebooks and apps with team members
Create reusable components to share across notebooks and apps
Capture and save snapshots of analyses at specific points in time
Track and manage different versions of notebooks and apps
Infrastructure(4 features)
Pay-as-you-go compute options for advanced data science use cases
Choose from multiple compute sizes ranging from small to 4XL with GPU options
Deploy custom Docker images for specialized environments
Connect to remote compute environments via SSH
Visualization(4 features)
Build interactive data apps and dashboards with filters, drill-down capabilities, and visual exploration
Present analyses in fullscreen presentation mode
Interactively explore data with drill-down capabilities in visualizations
Create charts, graphs, and interactive visualizations with multiple chart types
Code Editor(3 features)
Format and style SQL code according to custom preferences
Write Python code for analysis and visualization in notebooks
Write SQL queries directly in notebooks for data extraction and transformation
Monitoring(2 features)
Monitor and track Hex usage and performance metrics
Track and report on workspace usage patterns
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying Hex
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 42 features at very easy complexity.