Chatting with Databases: AI Tools and Platforms You Need to Know
Published: December 6, 2024
Previously, I shared REX, an open-source app I developed, for querying and analyzing databases. Full breakdown at Releasing REX-2.
Today's focus is on exploring the broader landscape of tools and platforms for chatting with and analyzing databases.
Platform Overview
In the attached document, I've listed 19 platforms-a mix of production-ready tools and working prototypes, from simple to complex. Includes both open source, paid and hybrid options. While not exhaustive, it offers a wide range of options. I've done quick tests for most but not in-depth evaluations.
For Decision Makers
Use, clone, customize, or build features relevant to your needs. Features can be built out relatively quickly using AI Assisted Coders like Cursor AI. Machine learning and real-time voice aren't typically integrated, but can be custom built, and Custom GPTs already have in-built functionality (limited).
For Hands-On Implementers
- Volo Builds videos are a must-watch for learning full-stack app development with Cursor AI. The AI-to-SQL App has an excellent LLM network, a superbly organized codebase, and beautifully explained. REX-2 was built entirely using voice-based instructions on Cursor AI.
- Dataherald (GitHub 3.4K stars) offers an excellent auth-based API layer for DB connect. 'Chat-With-Your-Database' uses Next.js API routing via the /api directory-no need for a separate express server.
Unique Features Across Apps
Most apps provide standard features like database connectivity, querying, charts, and authentication. Some standout functionalities include:
- Multiple chatbots for varying backend data sources (Datalang, Ask-Your-Database)
- SQL query editor (Blaze SQL, Quills AI)
- Data modeling like Power BI (Wren AI - 2.1K GitHub Stars)
- Full-stack .NET implementation and Azure OpenAI service (TheCodeWolf)
- Interactive graph builder (Quills AI)
- Dropdown model selection (Talk-to-Data)
- R instance for analytics (Julius AI)
- Dashboard creation (Hello Query)
- Tabbed view and interactive results table (Quills AI)
- Lightweight, simple interface (SQL Chat - 4.7K GitHub stars)
- RAG pipeline architecture (Vanna AI)
- API access layer (Blaze SQL)
- Integrated AI ('Select AI' - Oracle, Google Big Query)
- Direct-to-table text file upload (REX)
- DB creation on the fly (REX)
- Interactive tables with sorting, filtering, stats (REX)
- PDF reports (REX)
- Real-time voice (REX-1; exploring Hume, ElevenLabs as alternatives to OpenAI)
Links
- REX-2
- REX-GPT
- Datalang
- TalktoData
- Ask Your Database
- Blaze SQL
- WrenAI
- Chat with Your Database
- SQL Chat
- AI Chat with a SQL Database 3.0 / The Code Wolf
- Julius AI
- Hello Query
- Quills AI
- Findly AI
- Skills.AI
- Vanna AI
- Google: Build an AI Data Exploration Agent with Gemini
- AWS: 5 Ways for Chatting with Your Data on AWS
- Volo Builds
- Dataherald