Pulse vs Altair Panopticon

Pulse is a modern solution built using the latest React frontend frameworks, websockets and java server frameworks.

Panopticon was first released in 2010, it pioneered real-time visualization on the desktop. The desktop designer and server architecture that was pioneering is now dated and the server architecture has caused users latency and bandwidth pains as it's not optimized for todays network architecture.

The owner of Panopticon has changed twice in the last few years and as the company was merged, many of the original staff left and development speed slowed. If you go to the current owners website now, the product isn't mentioned anywhere on the front page. TimeStored have been providing tools for data analysts since 2013, our mission now is Pulse, to allow developers to build a scaleable app in an afternoon.

  • Pulse is 100% our focus.
  • Pulse can more easily let you create interactive applications.
  • Pulse is moving fast. Significant new functionality is released every 2 weeks.
  • Pulse uses the best modern components. Rather than try to build everything ourselves, we've chosen the best open source components in the world to power Pulse. Netty/Micronaut for the java backend, React/ECharts for the frontend. Every time those components improve, our users receive the benefit.
  • Pulse is 1/4 the Cost. Our company and product are designed to be downloaded and used by everyone easily without a lengthy costly sales process. The wider appeal and uptake allows us to provide lower prices..
  • We are Open and Transparent - Pulse client code and issue backlog are public.
  • Pulse is app based and designed for data analysts or people that know SQL.

We are always happy to engage in PoCs to directly find which is best for you.
contact us.

 PulseAltair Panopticon
Individual Cost $500 Yes $ $2,000 No $$$$$
Capabilities Real-time visualization Real-time visualization
Enterprise Cost $30,000 Yes $$$ $200,000 No$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$ *Altair don't publicly publish prices
Source Code YesSource Available for Client NoClosed Source
Compatible Databases Yeskdb, kdb-streaming
Yespostgresql, mysql, ms sql, clickhouse
YesAnything that supports JDBC		 Yeskdb, kdb-streaming
Yespostgresql, mysql, ms sql, clickhouse
YesAnything that supports JDBC
Table YesTable
YesSparklines 		YesTable
YesSparklines
Core Charts YesTime-Series
YesBar
YesLine
YesArea 		YesTime-Series
YesBar
YesLine
YesArea
Extended Charts YesBubble, Pie, Scatter
YesCandlestick, Radar, Heatmap, Treemap
Yes3d Charts, Sunburst, ChartGL, BoxPlot
YesCalendar		 YesBubble, Pie, Scatter
YesCandlestick, Radar, Heatmap, Treemap
Yes3d Charts, Sunburst, ChartGL, BoxPlot
YesCalendar
SQL Editor YesSQL code editor. Same as very popular qStudio.
YesServer table tree
YesShare queries with team via link 		Non/a
NoServer table tree
NoShare queries with team via link
Other Visualizations YesVideo, External Content Yes Video, External Content.
YesMaps
Interactive YesForms, Dropdowns, Radio Buttons, Checkboxes, Date Picker, Date Range Picker, Text Field, Text Area, Slider, Code Editor
Yes Link tables and charts
Yes Event Handlers 		YesForms, Dropdowns, Radio Buttons, Checkboxes, Date Picker, Date Range Picker, Text Field, Text Area, Slider, Code Editor
Yes Link tables and charts
Yes Event Handlers
User Interface Simple drag-and-drop interface that is easy, clean, and interactive.
SQL query based, provides common operations in the UI.		 Simple drag-and-drop interface that is easy, clean, and interactive.
Abstracts queries into data sources, provides common operations in the UI.
Features YesCan generate screenshots and email them as reports.
YesAbility to customize almost everything with point and click 		NoCan generate screenshots and email them as reports.
YesAbility to customize almost everything with point and click
Speed YesFast. Charts update quickly with animations, can use streaming data with kdb subscriptions. YesFast. Charts update quickly with animations, can use streaming data with kdb subscriptions.
Deployment YesDesktop - Windows/Linux/Mac YesDesktop - Windows/Linux/Mac