The Best Business Intelligence Software Tools of 2024
Written by: BestApp.com App Testing Team - Updated: Jun 25, 2021
Business Intelligence (BI) tools help businesses make better decisions by analyzing and reporting on customer behavior and other business data. Our top pick is Zoho Analytics because of its user-friendly interface and straightforward pricing, but we’ve included nine other business intelligence software tools to give you plenty of options.
Top 10 Business Intelligence Software Tools to Try
- Zoho Analytics — Top Pick
- Power BI — Best Free Trial
- Sisense — Best for Custom App Development
- Oracle — Best for Enterprise
- Tableau — Best for Role-Based Licensing
- Domo — Best for Non-Technical Users
- Qlik Sense — Best for Customer Support
- SAP BusinessObjects — Best for Collaboration
- Yellowfin BI — Best for Customization
- MicroStrategy — Best for Government
How We Chose the Best Business Intelligence Software Tools
Some of the features that we looked out for include real-time reporting, a drag-and-drop interface, and alerts/notifications that lower the learning curve and make it easy for new users to get on board. But there may be other factors that you need to consider.
Choose the business intelligence software tool that’s right for you
Most BI tools offer a similar set of core features, but vary widely in terms of subscription plans, user experience, and capabilities. You may want to consider whether the tool has a per-user cost, is accessible on multiple devices and operating systems, and offers live customer support by phone, chat, or email.
Develop a data visualization strategy
The best business intelligence in the world won’t get you anywhere if your team can’t interpret it. It’s important to make sure that the tool you choose is compatible with any existing systems you use, and presents data in an easy-to-read format. With the right data visualization strategy, you’ll end up with better business insights.
Our Business Intelligence Software Tools App Reviews
Zoho Analytics — Top Pick
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Zoho Analytics is our top pick. It has a “self-service” interface that’s easy to use, even for teams with minimal BI experience. Zoho offers customizable dashboards and appealing visualizations to draw key insights from large data sets. Users can also import data from dozens of sources, including Stripe, QuickBooks, and MailChimp. Other features include Zia, an “intelligent assistant” that allows you to ask questions about BI data in plain language. Zoho also offers embedded BI and white label analytics software. Prices start at $22/month for a basic plan for two users, plus $8/month for each additional user.
Notable features:
- 15-Day Free Trial
- Subscription Plans: Basic: $22/month, Standard: $45/month, Premium: $112/month, Enterprise: $445/month
- Support available: Live Support, Email, Phone, Tickets, Community Support/Forum
| Zoho Analytics Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Self-service interface | Support varies by plan level |
| User-friendly visualizations | Additional users cost extra |
| Intelligent assistant | |
Power BI — Best Free Trial
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
You can try out Power BI for free for 60 days, making it the best free trial offer on our list. It also comes with a wide variety of learning resources including documentation, guided courses, and a community forum to help you make the most of your BI software. Power BI is available in the cloud, as a desktop app, and on Android and iOS, so it’s easy to access it from anywhere and share reports with other collaborators. As a Microsoft product, it integrates with other business software and uses industry-leading security to keep your data safe.
Notable features:
- 60-Day Free Trial
- Subscription Plans: Power BI Pro: $9.99/user/month, Power BI Premium: $20/user/month
- Support available: Documentation, Tickets, Guided Learning, Community
| Power BI Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Lengthy free trial | 10 GB storage limit per workspace |
| Industry-leading security | |
| Cloud, desktop, and mobile access | |
Sisense — Best for Custom App Development
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Sisense is a cloud-based tool with support for REST APIs, embedded analytics, and more, making it the best choice for deploying your own custom-built BI apps. There are no limits on how much data you can process, and Sisense uses its own proprietary in-chip technology for faster processing power. In addition, the Sisense Pulse tool uses machine learning to detect anomalies, such as a sudden drop in sales volume. You can set up smart alerts and instant notifications and create customized workflows with tools like ZenDesk and Zapier. Sisense offers a free trial, but you’ll have to reach out in order to get a custom quote.
Notable features:
- 14-Day Free Trial
- Subscription Plans: Custom Quote
- Support available: Online Chat, Phone, Knowledge Base, Forum, Tickets
| Sisense Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No data limits | Custom pricing only |
| In-chip processing technology | |
Oracle — Best for Enterprise
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Oracle is a major name in business intelligence, but its pricing structure and capabilities make its BI tools best suited for enterprise users. Subscriptions start at $150 per month per user for Oracle’s BI cloud service, while other options are available for a custom quote. The analytics tool uses AI and machine learning to gain insights into your business and make predictions, while the Essbase tool lets you create models and run what-if scenarios. Oracle’s tools are available for multiple departments, including HR, finance, and sales teams.
Notable features:
- Subscription Plans: Business Intelligence Cloud Service: $150/month/user
- Support available: Live Support, Email, Phone, Online Chat, Knowledge Base, Community Support
| Oracle Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Robust data modeling tools | High price per user |
| Supports large data sets | |
Domo — Best for Non-Technical Users
Domo promises “data transformation for everyone” with a drag-and-drop tool that’s easy for less technical users. Users can create data pipelines without any coding experience, using the Magic ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) tool built into the BI platform. This allows users to integrate multiple data sources, such as Salesforce and QuickBooks, and automatically input data on a predetermined schedule. Advanced users can create more complex pipelines, incorporating Python and other programming languages. Domo offers a free trial, but doesn’t specify the length, and you’ll have to request a custom quote.
Notable features:
- Free Trial
- Subscription Plans: Custom quote
- Support available: Live Support, Online Chat, Email, Phone, Community Forum, Help Desk, Tickets
| Domo Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Drag-and-drop ETL tool | Free trial length unspecified |
| Natural language queries | No up-front pricing structure |
| HIPAA compliant | |
Tableau — Best for Role-Based Licensing
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Tableau is notable for its role-based licensing, which means that instead of paying a fixed rate per user, you’ll pay a different rate based on their usage requirements. The Creator role costs the most at $70/month, and is for users who will be designing visualizations and dashboards. The lowest pricing option is for the Viewer plan, where you can interact with published reports and receive notifications and alerts. Tableau is available on multiple platforms, including mobile, desktop, and cloud versions, as well as enterprise-level self-hosted options. All versions come with user-friendly visualizations, including interactive maps and charts.
Notable features:
- 14-Day Free Trial
- Subscription Plans: Creator: $70/user/month, Explorer: $35/user/month, Viewer: $12/user/month
- Support available: Email, Phone, FAQs, Forum, Knowledge Base
| Tableau Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Role-based pricing structure | More expensive than similar tools |
| Enterprise-level options | |
Qlik Sense — Best for Customer Support
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Qlik Sense offers many of the same features as the other tools on our list, but goes a step further when it comes to customer support and education. Users can choose from free online courses, self-paced learning, and instructor-led training, as well as a Data Literacy Program to get your entire team up to speed. Qlik Sense is available on a standard subscription model for $30 per user per month, or as an Enterprise SaaS solution. Qlik is compatible with hundreds of the most popular data sources from Excel to DropBox, and offers an interactive mapping tool for Geospatial analysis and location analytics.
Notable features:
- 30-Day Free Trial
- Subscription Plans: Business: $30/user/month, Enterprise SaaS: Custom quote
- Support available: Live Support, Email, Phone, Tickets, Community Help, Knowledge Base
| Qlik Sense Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Extensive training and support | Some features cost extra |
| Geospatial mapping tools | |
SAP BusinessObjects — Best for Collaboration
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
SAP BusinessObjects supports self-service BI, role-based dashboards, and cross-enterprise sharing, making it a good choice for collaborating across your business. It integrates well with Microsoft Office, and you can embed reports directly into PowerPoint. SAP BusinessObjects offers multiple deployment options, and maintains a network of certified outsourcing partners who can help you implement your BI software anywhere in the world. SAP also provides a product roadmap, so you can see which features are going to be released next.
Notable features:
- Subscription Plans: Custom quote
- Support available: Live Support, Training, Phone, Email, Community
| SAP BusinessObjects Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Cross-enterprise capabilities | No free trial available |
| Global service partners | Custom pricing only |
| Product roadmap | |
Yellowfin BI — Best for Customization
Download: Android | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Yellowfin BI is a scalable solution that supports a wide range of use cases, including enterprise BI and “bespoke analytical applications.” This makes it the most customizable option on our list. The standalone Analytics tool starts at $600 per user with a minimum of 12,000 users, while per-server pricing starts at $75,000 per server core. Yellowfin offers a 30-day free trial so you can test it out before committing. Other features include Data Prep and Stories, which allow you to put data into context using images, videos, and presentation-friendly visualizations.
Notable features:
- 30-Day Free Trial
- Subscription Plans: Data Prep: $120/user, Analytics: $600/user, Analytics Plus: $900/user
- Support available: Help Center, Email, Phone, Documentation, Tickets
| Yellowfin BI Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Engaging storytelling tools | Minimum of 12,000 users |
| Server-based pricing options | |
MicroStrategy — Best for Government
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
MicroStrategy provides self-service dashboards, location-based analytics, and offers four different deployment options: desktop, web, mobile, and architect. It is best suited for large businesses and enterprises, with solutions geared toward the retail, healthcare, and financial services industries. It is also an authorized federal contractor, and is used by the TSA, NASA, USPS, CMS, and more, making this a good choice for government departments looking for a secure and compliant solution. MicroStrategy also offers a comprehensive education portal where users can develop their skills as an analyst or data scientist.
Notable features:
- 30-Day Free Trial
- Subscription Plans: Web: $600/user, Mobile: $600/user, Architect: $5,000/user, Server: $1,200/user
- Support available: Live Support, Email, Phone, Help Desk/Knowledge Base, Community
| MicroStrategy Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Integrates with Amazon Alexa | High cost per user |
| Comprehensive education portal | |
Business Intelligence Software Tools Apps: Features Summary Table
| Business Intelligence Software Tools Comparison Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| App | Subscription Fees or In-App Purchases | |
| Zoho Analytics — Top Pick | Basic: $22/month billed yearly Standard: $45/month billed yearly Premium: $112/month billed yearly Enterprise: $445/month billed yearly |
|
| Power BI — Best Free Trial | Power BI Pro: $9.99/user/month Power BI Premium: $20/user/month |
|
| Sisense — Best for Custom App Development | Custom Quote | |
| Oracle — Best for Enterprise | Business Intelligence Cloud Service: $150/month/user | |
| Domo — Best for Non-Technical Users | Custom Quote | |
| Tableau — Best for Role-Based Licensing | Creator: $70/user/month Explorer: $35/user/month Viewer: $12/user/month |
|
| Qlik Sense — Best for Customer Support | Business: $30/user/month Enterprise SaaS: Custom quote |
|
| SAP BusinessObjects — Best for Collaboration | Custom Quote | |
| Yellowfin BI — Best for Customization | Data Prep: $120/user Analytics: $600/user Analytics Plus: $900/user |
|
| MicroStrategy — Best for Government | Web: $600/user Mobile: $600/user Architect: $5,000/user Server: $1,200/user |
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