How to Build Your Own Observable
Replace Observable with a custom build. The modern data visualization platform
Build Difficulty: 5/5
Build a working replacement in a weekend with AI tools
Estimated Timeline
Based on 19 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 19 features
Collaboration(3 features)
Add additional viewers to workspace to view shared visualizations and notebooks
AI-powered collaborative whiteboard for data teams and stakeholders to explore and visualize data
Collaborative code editing capabilities for teams working on notebooks
AI(2 features)
AI assistance for designing, tweaking, and optimizing visualizations and insights
Explore, analyze, and create charts with inspectable AI assistance
Development(2 features)
Code-centric visualization tool for developers to prototype visualizations, test ideas, and share work
Built-in version control for notebooks and visualizations
Integration(2 features)
Access cloud files and web API endpoints for data integration
Connect to databases including Snowflake, DuckDB, Postgres, and Databricks
Sharing & Export(2 features)
Embed charts and dashboards into host applications or export to PNG
Share visualizations and notebooks via URL
Access Control(1 features)
Create and manage both public and private notebooks
Administration(1 features)
Manage guest member access and control access to notebooks within workspace
Automation(1 features)
Schedule automated execution of notebooks
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying Observable
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 19 features at very easy complexity.