Looking for a software which is a good fit for your start-up or data-centric company? Want to grow your business rapidly while organizing, analyzing business data and enhancing the decision-making processes?
If yes, then sit back and relax, as you are on the right page as here we’ll be dealing with what exactly a business software is, the best business intelligence software for the business users and the factors to keep in mind while choosing a business intelligence platform for you.
So, let’s quickly get started with our post without any further delay.
Short of time? No worries! Here are the 5 Best Business Intelligence (BI) Software presented to you in a tabular form:
| S.No | BI Software | About (Specifications) | Plans and Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tableau | #1 analytics platform, unlimited data exploration, AI-driven statistical modeling, security, compliance, maintenance, creative, unique products | Custom plans and pricing. (contact sales) |
| 2 | Looker | Embedded analysis, Looker’s modeling language, Looker Studio, $300 in free credits and 20+ free products for new customers | Free trial available. |
| 3 | Domo | Business apps, interactive dashboards, embedded analytics, self-serve reporting, automated processes, data storytelling | Free Forever at $0/month, Standard at $300/month, Enterprise and Business Critical (contact sales). |
| 4 | Microsoft Power BI | AI capabilities, data-analysis tools, user-friendly report creation tools, Microsoft 365, BI documentation, Workspaces | Free (free with limited features), Power BI Pro and Power BI Premium (contact sales). |
| 5 | Metabase | Enhanced reporting, dashboards,embedding charts, self-service, interactive dashboards, sandboxing, CSV upload, SQL editor, Query Builder | Starter at $85/month/5 users, Pro at $500/month/10 users and Enterprise (contact sales). |
| 6 | MicroStrategy | MicroStrategy is ranked #1 in Portfolio Capabilities in 2024 edition of the BARC Score. | Custom plans and pricing. (contact sales) |
| 7 | Sisense | Build analytics in your applications, Convert data into revenue by building AI-powered analytics with pro-code, low-code, and no-code capabilities. | Custom plans and pricing. (contact sales) |
| 8 | QlikSense | QlikSense helps you use your data to solve problems, meet new objectives, and address critical business needs. It all starts here. With the industry leader in data integration and analytics solutions that support your AI strategy. | Standard at $825/month/users, Premium at $2700/month & Enterprise custom plans (contact sales) |
| 9 | Zoho Analytics | Modern Self-service BI and Analytics Platform Zoho Analytics helps business users connect, prepare and analyze their data, create stunning data visualizations, and discover hidden insights, all within minutes. | 15 Day Free Trial & Premium at $4200/month. |
What is Business Intelligence Software?
Business intelligence software is a software that uses the technology to convert.
Present the complex business data into a user-friendly manner with the help of reports, graphs, charts or dashboards.
Hence, through various BI tools and techniques, the raw and complex data is converted into simple and meaningful information in different fields of business such as finance, sales, marketing and operations.
9 Best Business Intelligence Software In 2024
Now that we already know what a business intelligence software is and how it works, let’s have a detailed understanding of the 9 best business intelligence software, their features, plans, pricing, pros and cons.
TL;DR
1. Tableau – Top Best Business Intelligence and Analytics Software
2. Looker – Business Intelligence Platform Embedded Analytics
3. Domo – Uncover Insights with Business Intelligence.
4. Microsoft Power BI – Data Visualization | Microsoft Power Platform
5. Metabase – Business Intelligence, Dashboards, and Data Visualization
6. MicroStrategy – Trusted Best BI Software Tools
7. Sisense – Build Intelligent Analytics into Your Products
8. QlikSense – Industry Leader in Data Integration and Analytics Solutions
9. Zoho Analytics – Modern Self-service BI and Analytics Platform
1. Tableau – Top Best Business Intelligence and Analytics Software
Tableau is a powerful business intelligence software and world’s #1 analytics platform that lets you enjoy unlimited data exploration, AI-driven statistical modeling, security, compliance, maintenance and more with a number of creative and unique products such as Tableau Prep or Tableau Desktop for smarter business needs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Data visualization capabilities.
- User-friendly interface.
- Customization.
Cons
- Costly
- Time-consuming.
Features
- Tableau Data Management:
Includes products like Tableau Catalog to improve decision-making, Tableau Prep Conductor to share your data sources so that everyone can work with up-to-date data.
- Tableau Desktop:
Includes features like data preparation with Tableau Prep Builder, data analysis by Tableau Cloud, collaborating and sharing in the cloud.
- Tableau Advanced Management:
Has the capabilities like managing content at scale with Tableau Content Migration Tool; Enhancing security with the help of Customer-Managed Encryption keys.
Plans and Price
Contact the Sales department to discuss your business needs and to know the pricing for all the 3 plans: Tableau Creator, Tableau Explorer and Tableau Viewer.
![9 Best Business Intelligence Software In [current_date format='Y'] – BI Tools](https://googiehost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tableau-price-Plans.png)
2. Looker – Business Intelligence Platform Embedded Analytics
Looker for Business Intelligence organizes your business data and makes it accessible and easy while improving the workflows. It enhances the decision-making process with smart data access and provides you with enterprise-class business intelligence where you can simply create reports, dashboards and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Multiple data sources.
- Easy downloading.
- Simple user interface.
Cons
- Not good for large amounts of data.
- Slow data uploading.
Features
- Embedded analysis:
Helps to give the users the insights that they require for their workflows and branding and also enables the developers to build custom applications.
- Looker’s modeling language:
You can use LookML to describe and manage all the business rules. It takes care of technical work and helps the team to focus only on creativity.
- Looker Studio:
The integration with Looker Studio helps the users to explore, analyze and visualize the data in Looker Studio.
Plans and Price
Looker gives its new customers $300 in free credits and 20+ free products so that they can test and try their workloads. Thus, you can start for free.
3. Domo – Uncover Insights with Business Intelligence.
With Domo, get AI-powered experiences, a secure foundation and intuitive analysis that can connect with your data systems all at one platform with a number of features like business apps, interactive dashboards, embedded analytics, self-serve reporting, automated processes and smoothen decision-making.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Interactive tools like charts.
- Integration with other apps.
- Simple collaboration.
Cons
- Not so user-friendly.
- Slow processing.
Features
- Faster App Creation:
Enables you to design apps with simplicity; make them interactive with the features like fillable forms; incorporate automation and easily publish your app.
- Data Storytelling:
The customizable dashboards with interactive filters help you to present your data in the form of Domo stories so that you check how your data is presented to others.
- Data Collaboration:
Connect and collaborate with your team members in real-time within the Domo platform to discuss, learn and take actions immediately.
Plans and Price
Domo offers you 3 plans and the initial plan is Free Forever at $0/month, Standard at $300/month, Enterprise (for pricing, contact sales) and Business Critical (for pricing, contact sales).
4. Microsoft Power BI – Data Visualization | Microsoft Power Platform
Looking for a BI software that helps in converting your data into visuals with AI capabilities, data-analysis tools and a user-friendly report creation tool? Then, Microsoft Power BI is the software for you. Besides, Power BI + Microsoft 365 gives you greater productivity and user engagement.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flexible report generation.
- Easy integration with MS products.
- Dynamic charts.
Cons
- Sometimes slow.
- Problem in working with Mac.
Features
- OneLake Data Hub:
Makes it simple to discover, explore, use and give information about the data items which you have to access in your organization.
- Power BI documentation:
Allows you to share, collaborate and gives you the information about various ways in which you can integrate Power BI into other products.
- Workspaces in Power BI:
With this feature, you can build collections of reports and dashboards which can also be bundled in an app for you.
Plans and Price
The 3 plans offered by Microsoft Power BI are Free (absolutely free with limited features), Power BI Pro and Power BI Premium (more features).
5. Metabase – Business Intelligence, Dashboards, and Data Visualization
With Metabase Business Intelligence, you get the power to enhance the reporting of your products with the help of dashboards or embedding charts; self-service analytics for every business; interactive dashboards, sandboxing, CSV upload, SQL editor, Query Builder and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Visualization.
- Multiple sources.
- Simple user interface.
Cons
- Issues in updating.
- Difficult for new users.
Features
- Interactive dashboards:
You can create interactive dashboards with different tools like filter widgets, drill-through, speed or actions in order to zoom-in, categorize, edit customer profile and more.
- Query-builder:
Different tools such as Joins, Filters and Summarization, Custom expressions and Question history help with more than just the basic questions, narrow-down, group data from the menu and more.
- SQL editor:
SQL parameters create templates; SQL snippets allow you to save, share and reuse bits of SQL code in order to prevent rewriting and more.
Plans and price
The 3 offered Plans are Starter at $85/month/5 users, Pro at $500/month/10 users and Enterprise (Custom pricing, contact sales).
6. MicroStrategy – Trusted Best BI Software Tools
Did you know that MicroStrategy is ranked #1 in Portfolio Capabilities in 2024 edition of the BARC Score? MicroStrategy brings all the business answers at your fingertips. It intersects and integrates with AI to give you better customer experience and increases the engagement levels at the same time.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Speed.
- Good customer support.
- Interactive dashboards.
Cons
- Poor formatting options for reports.
- Missing features in web version.
Features
- 10X faster Productivity:
Self-service-reporting, Embed data insights and customized AI chat assistant increases productivity and helps in easy workflow with the help of automatic outputs.
- Enhances efficiency:
Give your customers the best app experiences and boost your product growth with faster AI for effective app personalization.
- Low-risk product launch:
MicroStrategy’s effective cloud-native platform, containerization capabilities and multi-cloud strategy allows the low-risk product launch.
Plans and Price
To request the pricing, you need to sign in or create an account and you can discuss with their expert about your business requirements, size and type.
7. Sisense – Build Intelligent Analytics into Your Products
Sisense quickens the product innovation with the help of AI/ML capabilities. It enables your users the interactive exploration of data through data visualization. Other features may include AI and analytics foundation in order to build product differentiation; helping people in making better and fruitful decisions for thrift businesses and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast hiring processes.
- Simple integration with APIs.
- Easy accessibility.
Cons
- Poor alerting system.
- Costly.
Features
- Data visualization:
When data users ask for the data, they do not want to see the complex charts or graphs. Rather, they want simple and interactive data visualization.
- Data-driven decisions:
Insights and data in operational workflows helps the users make better decisions. The data-informed decisions together with sales trends, purchase-drivers and more can have such decisions.
- Predictions and Alerts:
The real-time monitoring allows you to prevent unexpected problems in business. For example, if you have a logistic company and in the time of risk, alerts what needs attention immediately.
Plans and price
For pricing, you need to visit their website and go to the pricing section where a few details are to be entered which will help you customize your plan according to your needs and budget.
8. QlikSense – Industry Leader in Data Integration and Analytics Solutions
Looking for a BI software which is interactive, always in context and lightning fast all at the same time? QilkSense is the software for you as it is filled with multiple qualities and features like automated insight generation, Search and natural language interaction, AI assisted creation, data prep and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Simple user interface.
- Manages large databases.
- Good for new BI users.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Complex charts and graphs.
Features
- Hybrid Cloud Platform:
With a hybrid cloud platform, you can get the 100% control of your data while removing the intensive manual tasks and elastic scalability to meet the user’s expectations.
- Active Analytics:
Allows you to take intelligent actions with the help of tools like strong collaboration, intelligent alerting and embedded analytics.
- Powerful AI:
With Powerful AI, get features like search and natural language interaction, Automated insight generation, AutoML and predictive analytics.
Plans and Price
The 3 offered plans are Standard at $825/month/user, Premium at $2,700/month and Enterprise (custom plan and in order to know the pricing, you need to click on ‘contact us’).
9. Zoho Analytics – Modern Self-service BI and Analytics Platform
Zoho Analytics is an analytics platform and the modern self-service BI that helps the business users to analyze their business data and build data visualization in a matter of minutes. Besides, you can also collaborate with users and share insights; have flexible deployment options and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Instant dashboard creation.
- Project management.
- Easy integration with other Zoho apps.
Cons
- Expensive services.
- Not so customizable.
Features
- Data from 250+ sources:
With BI tool, you can connect and gather data from different forms and sources like files, web feed URLs, databases, apps and more.
- Access BI on multiple devices:
Zoho Analytics with the help of their BI app, allows you to access the BI tool from any devices of your choice such as mobile, laptop, PC or tablet.
- Visualize data with multiple tools:
Allows you to visualize the data with the help of so many tools or options available such as themes, fonts, widgets, color palettes and chart types.
Plans and Price
They offer you a total of 5 plans with a 15-day free trial and the most popular plan among users is Premium at Rs. 4,200/month.
How do I choose a business intelligence platform?
Now that we know the best business intelligence software, keep in mind the following factors when choosing a business intelligence platform for you.
- User-Friendly Interface:
User-friendly interface may help you and your team to use, navigate and interact with the business data easily and more effectively.
- Scalability:
Your BI platform must have different plans and limits in order to support even large amounts of data. Thus, scalability is quite important in such a platform.
- Integration Capabilities:
Multiple sources and data integration capabilities simplifies your business as it allows extraction of information from different sources and presenting before you.
- Data Connectivity:
You can easily connect and integrate with the data from files, databases, cloud services and other sources in order to bring everything at your fingertips.
- Customization Options:
You can modify and edit the business tools according to your requirements and business identity. For example, customized templates let you shine out with your company logo.
- Mobile Accessibility:
With this, you can easily use BI tools like dashboards and more from your mobile phone anytime and anywhere. Thus, BI platforms must have mobile apps or applications.
- Security and Compliance:
Make sure that your BI platform provides you the high security features in order to manage, encrypt and control the users.
- Support and Training:
Even if you are an experienced business owner or manager, you still need training and enough support when you are new to a BI platform in order to prevent errors or misunderstandings.
- User Feedback and Reviews:
Make sure that you are using the BI platform that has the options for user feedback and reviews for complete customer satisfaction and scope for improvement.
What is the difference between AI and business intelligence?
AI (Artificial Intelligence) and BI (Business Intelligence) may seem similar but they are completely different from each other in many ways. To understand these differences more clearly, we need to go through their definitions first.
| AI (Artificial Intelligence) | BI (Business Intelligence) |
| AI is the technology that thinks intelligently like humans in reference to the past experiences and present environment. It tries to copy human emotions and judgements for various activities such as problem-solving. | BI is the technology that is specially designed to transform all the complex data or information into interactive charts or graphs. It may use AI technology for faster results. |
| AI usually predicts data like customer demands and market changes. | BI observes the past data and helps businesses in data-driven decisions. |
| AI is primarily used for forecasting, gaming, robotics, image recognition and more. | BI is used in data mining, reporting, interactive dashboards and more. |
However, the two can be the perfect fit for all the business requirements but for business-focussed needs, you must rely on BI tools as they are designed for business needs only.
FAQS
What is the use of business intelligence tools?
Business intelligence tools help in transforming complex data results into simpler forms such as charts or graphs to be understandable by all.
Is business intelligence a program?
Yes, business intelligence is a program or software that helps to store, collect and analyze business data in order to make better decisions in business.
Is there any free business intelligence tool?
Yes, various BI platforms such as Microsoft Power BI, Looker or Domo have the options for either free plans or free trial period.
What is considered a business intelligence tool?
Spreadsheets, digital dashboards, data visualization, reporting tools, extract and transform tools and more are considered to be BI tools that simplify your business.
Is Python a business intelligence tool?
Yes, Python has become a popular language for business intelligence that has a number of capabilities to convert raw data into useful meaning.
Conclusion
We can say that there are a number of business intelligence tools like dashboards, SQL editor, Query-Builder, Prediction and Alert systems and many more that simplify the workflows of our business and enable us to make better decisions.
We also know now that there are multiple factors that have to be kept in mind before choosing a BI platform for you such as scalability, integration capabilities, security features, user-friendly interface, customization options and more.
Looking for other Software? Here you go –
