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Find the perfect BI tools for your startup with this guide to all the top solutions on the market.
Business intelligence tools (also known as BI tools, business intelligence software, or business intelligence solutions) let users access data sets from multiple sources, analyze them, and then present key findings in easy-to-understand dashboards, reports, spreadsheets, maps, and more. With these rich insights in hand, you can quickly zero in on key performance indicators (KPI metrics) that may have otherwise been lost to history.
Most companies leverage their data through the following process:
- Data is gathered from various sources, including their production database and SaaS softwares like Salesforce, Stripe, Google Analytics, Google Ads, etc.
- This data is stored in a data warehouse (a database optimized for data analytics)
- The data warehouse is then connected to a business intelligence tool so that it can gain insights from the data and answer key business questions such as:
- How much revenue did we have over the past few months?
- What are our best selling products or countries?
- What products have been out of stock the most frequently?
If you want to learn the various tools and processes to implement a modern data stack like the one mentioned above, read this article.
Given the value of BI reporting tools, it’s no surprise that the market is full of solutions trying to earn a place in your data stack. But which tool is the right one for you?
To help you answer that question, we created this ultimate guide to BI tools for startup teams.
Here’s a sneak peek of the top business intelligence reporting tools we’ll discuss:
The best tools for startups:
- Best for non-technical users:
- Power BI
- Google Data Studio
- Chartio
- Holistics
- Actiondesk
- Best for experienced users:
- AWS QuickSight
- reDash
- PopSQL
- ClicData
- Bipp
The best tools for midsize organizations:
- Best for non-technical users:
- Databox
- Grow
- Cumul.io
- Metabase
- Trevor.io
- Best for experienced users:
- Knowi
- Tableau
The best tools for enterprise organizations:
- Best for non-technical users:
- Logi Analytics/Logi
- Sigma Computing
- Qlik
- Domo
- Explo
- Preset
- Best for experienced users:
- Mode
- Sisense, formerly Periscope
- Looker
The best BI tool companions:
- For all skill levels:
- Retool
- Klipfolio
- Toucan Toco
- SeekTable
The best BI tools for small startup organizations
Best for non-technical users:
1. Power BI
https://powerbi.microsoft.com/
Microsoft’s Power BI works best with other Microsoft tools, so you may run into some hiccups if your ecosystem doesn’t revolve around Microsoft products. Like Looker, Power BI uses its own language (Data Analysis Expressions, or DAX) to model and visualize data.
Power BI pricing:
Power BI Pro — $9.99/user/month
Power BI Premium — $20/user/month or from $4,995 per capacity/month
Free trial: Yes
2. Google Data Studio
https://datastudio.google.com/u/0/navigation/reporting
Google Data Studio is a free data analysis tool and an integral part of the Google Analytics 360 Suite. With Data Studio, you can convert data from your other Google solutions into clear reports brimming with visualizations.
Unfortunately, Google Data Studio only works well with data from Google solutions, meaning it isn’t effective if you want to analyze data or build an analytics dashboard incorporating insights from other sources.
Google Data Studio pricing: Free
3. Chartio
Like Actiondesk, Chartio is designed to help everyone on a team (including those who aren’t familiar with SQL for beginners) analyze their data. But don’t fall in love just yet — Chartio is restructuring and will no longer be available as of March 2022. As a result, Chartio is currently in the process of helping their clients find solutions like Actiondesk that fit their needs.
Chartio pricing: Chartio will be eliminated in March 2022 and is not accepting new customers.
4. Holistics
Holistics is a cloud-based, self-service BI platform for non-technical users, making it a good choice for startups looking to understand their data using filters and a drag-and-drop interface. With Holistics, users are empowered to answer their own data questions while reducing the time they spend wrangling their metrics.
Holistics pricing:
Entry — $120/month or $1,200year
Standard — $300/month or $3,000/year
Professional — $600/month or $6,000/year
Enterprise — Contact Holistics for pricing
5. Actiondesk
Actiondesk is the easiest way to let business users access, explore and analyze their database or data warehouse's data. It works like a spreadsheet so most users will know how to use it without having to learn anything. You can use spreadsheet formulas, pivot tables and add graphs, same way you would in Excel or Google Sheets.
We’re biased here since this is the product we’ve built ;) That being said, we’ve designed in a way that reduces the learning curve as much as possible for people who already know how to use Excel or Google Sheets (so pretty much everybody).
Unlike some other tools (even the ones that are supposed to be no code), you can get started with Actiondeks in a few minutes)
Actiondesk pricing: $15/editor/month and $0/viewer/month
Free Trial: 14-day free trial.
Best for experienced users:
1. AWS QuickSight
https://aws.amazon.com/quicksight/
Amazon QuickSight (also called AWS QuickSight) is a machine learning-powered BI tool built for the cloud that offers both standard and enterprise editions, making it a great choice for businesses of all sizes. With AWS QuickSight you can easily create and publish BI dashboards that can be accessed from any device. However, some users find that the platform isn’t very intuitive and that many basic features, like merging and tracking reports, are missing. This leaves them wanting more than this service has to offer, which is why they opt for independent BI solutions like Actiondesk and Grow.
AWS QuickSight pricing:
Standard Edition — $12/user/month or $108/user/year
Enterprise edition:
Readers — $5/user/month
Authors — $18/user/month
Free trial: Yes
2. reDash
reDash is great for small startups looking for a BI tool strictly meant to address their current needs, as the tool isn’t quite designed to scale to meet the needs of a larger organization. Since its recent acquisition by Databricks, it’s unclear what the future of the platform will be.
reDash pricing:
Starter — $49/month
Pro — $99/month
Business — $450/month
Free trial: Free for 30 days
3. PopSQL
PopSQL is a modern SQL editor that makes it easy to collaborate with your team. Use the tool to quickly write queries, visualize your data, and share results. While you must know how to code to use the tool, it does provide some training features for those still trying to understand SQL for beginners. Another perk: PopSQL continues to release new updates and features.
PopSQL pricing:
Free version
Premium — $20/month or $192/year (meant for an individual)
Premium team — $25/editor/month or $240/editor/year
Enterprise — Contact and book a demo for pricing info
Free trial: Yes
4. ClicData
ClicData uses data to help align everyone on your startup team around a single source of truth. With ClicData, you can connect data from hundreds of different sources for data visualization and analysis. The UI is also very simple and straightforward, making it easier for users to adjust various layouts until they find one that works for their startup team. While there are only a few pre-built report templates, ClicData’s excellent customer support makes it easy to use these templates on a daily basis.
ClicData pricing:
Premium — 79/user/month or $852/user/year
Team — $269/user/month or $2,856/user/year
Enterprise — $525/user/month or $5,400/user/year
Dedicated — Contact for quote
Free trial: 14-day free trial
5. Bipp
Bipp is the expert data analyst’s business intelligence platform. The tool’s bippLang data modeling language streamlines SQL queries by creating reusable complex data models with custom columns and dynamic sub-querying. As a new product, they’re working to actively improve their offerings in an attempt to attract some of the more tech-savvy Chartio users.
Bipp pricing:
Free up to 3 users
Premium — $10/user/month up to 50 users
Enterprise — Contact for pricing
Free trial: No, but there is a free version available
The best BI tools for mid-size startup organizations
Best for non-technical users:
1. Databox
Databox is a visualization solution designed to help you track performance and discover real-time data based on your KPIs. With Databox, you can review numerous data visualizations or create custom metrics — the choice is yours. However, some users note that the built-in visualization templates all look fairly similar, which can lead to some confusion. You’ll also likely need to pay for a pricier account if you want to have a lot of different dashboards.
Databox pricing: Billed annually/quarterly/monthly
Free
Basic — $588/year, $162/quarter, $59/month
Plus — $1,188/year, $327/quarter, $119/month
Business — $2,976/year, $825/quarter, $299/month
Free trial: None available, but there is a free version of the product
2. Grow
Grow is billed as a full-stack BI tool designed to empower everyone on your team to make business-driven decisions. The tool is very easy to use and provides “No Code Transforms” that write SQL behind the scenes. You can also write custom PostgreSQL to unlock key insights in your data tables. Many users feel empowered to manipulate increasingly complex data as they become more and more familiar with the platform.
While Grow currently limits the number of apps that can integrate with it, there’s talk of expanding. This could complicate the user experience and add to the number of users that report user interface issues.
Grow pricing: Users say that pricing is around $1,000/month, but more detailed pricing info can be secured by requesting a quote.
Free trial: You can request a free trial and get a demo
3. Cumul.io
Cumul.io helps users impress clients with clear, snappy reporting dashboards that can be embedded into other tools and platforms. Users claim that the platform’s charts aren’t as powerful or flexible as those in Excel, but that its customer support is a great resource if any issues arise.
Cumul.io pricing: billed annually/monthly
Basic — $1,195/month or $11,940year
Professional — $2,325/month or $23,220/year
Elite — $3,245/month or $32,340/year
Enterprise — Contact for pricing
Free trial: 10-day free trial
4. Metabase
Metabase is one of the most popular data visualization tools and is focused on ease of use for non-technical users. Unfortunately, some users still find the data interface quite tricky to navigate. While there is an “Ask a Question” feature to help you access data without writing SQL queries, you’ll still need to create your own queries for more complicated questions. In addition, users report that Metabase’s customer service isn’t the most responsive, making it a bit of a red flag.
Metabase pricing:
Starter — $85/month, includes 5 users, then $5/user/month
Growth — $749/month, includes 10 users, then $15/user/month
Enterprise — Starts at $15,000/year, varies per user, annual billing
Free trial: 14-day free trial
5. Trevor.io
Trevor.io is designed to help everyone on your team access and analyze your data, no code or SQL knowledge required. It does this by replacing data requests inside your company so everyone can get answers to their questions fast. Trevor.io is a new tool, but users report that the rate at which it's evolving is nothing short of amazing. The company is very attentive to feedback and is working to support its users as best they can.
Trevor.io pricing:
Pro — $299/month
Business — $499/month
Enterprise — Custom pricing
Free trial: There’s a 14-day free trial, plus new users get 75% off the above prices for their first three months
Best for experienced users:
1. Knowi
Knowi is a BI platform designed to empower entire teams to utilize data-driven insights. It features dashboards, search-driven analytics, and reporting across NoSQL, SQL, REST APIs, and other sources. Keep in mind that some users find it challenging to use — especially when migrating their existing dashboards over without refactoring SQL.
Knowi pricing: Available upon request
Free trial: Yes
Free trial: 14-day free trial
2. Tableau
While Tableau was a trailblazer in the BI space for many years, numerous other solutions have caught up since the platform was acquired by Salesforce. Users agree that Tableau delivers amazing data visualizations, but that it hasn’t made many (if any) strides in usability in recent years. In fact, users report that you need to devote at least two to four weeks to learn how to use the product, at which point you still won’t know how to use all of its features.
Tableau pricing:
Tableau-hosted with Tableau Online (billed annually):
Viewer — $15/user/month
Explorer — $42/user/month
Creator — $70/user/month
Self-hosted with Tableau server (billed annually):
Viewer — $12/user/month
Explorer — $35/user/month
Creator — $70/user/month
Free trial: Yes, upon request
The best BI tools for enterprise organizations
For most of the tools below, you’ll need to request a quote for detailed pricing information.
Best for non-technical users:
1. Logi Analytics/Logi
https://www.logianalytics.com/
Logi Analytics, which recently acquired Izenda, delivers advanced, interactive data analytics, visualization, and reporting to its users in a minimal-code environment. Self-service data analysis and data discovery features are paired with the platform’s operational intelligence to allow users to easily create dashboards, reports, and visualizations. Users say that Logi is more flexible than similar solutions, but that it has a steep learning curve that makes it a major commitment.
Logi Analytics pricing: Request a custom quote
Free trial: 14-day free trial
2. Sigma Computing
https://www.sigmacomputing.com/
Sigma Computing strives to help organizations better understand their data. Like Actiondesk, the solution lets you manipulate data in a familiar spreadsheet format that fosters collaboration and data-driven decision making. Keep in mind that Sigma is a new product, meaning it still has some kinks to work out. Users report finding the tool confusing and some have noticed inconsistencies between functionalities. The tool’s features are also a bit sparse, although new ones with improved functionality and UX are released regularly.
Sigma Computing pricing: Request a quote, as Sigma has not released pricing details online.
Free trial: 14-day free trial
3. Qlik
Qlik delivers both data analytics and data integration solutions to help businesses make the most of their data. Its end-to-end, multi-cloud solutions help users of all skill levels transform raw data from diverse sources into incredible outcomes. Qlik is also meant to be affordable, scalable, and adaptable — all important features for startups.
Qlik-hosted Data Analytics pricing:
Business — $30/user/month
Enterprise SaaS — Contact sales
If you’re interested in pricing for Qlik’s data integration solutions, you need to contact its sales team.
Free trial: Yes
4. Domo
Domo is a BI tool focused on the mobile experience. While its mobile app is one of the first of its kind, making it a good solution for people looking to analyze data on the go, the tool is known for bad customer support. Simply put, Domo is best for giving people who are not adept at data analytics helpful insights. But if you like to have more control over your data, it’s probably not the best solution for your needs.
Domo pricing: Request a quote
Free trial: Free trial and free video demo available
5. Explo
Explo is a solution that lets you quickly create beautiful, customer-facing dashboards that you can embed into your web application without writing a single line of code. Explo harnesses the power of SQL in a simple point-and-click interface that anyone can use. The product is new and updates are continually released.
Explo pricing: Contact for pricing information
Free trial: No free trial, but you can book a demo
6. Preset
Apache Superset is the open-source project underpinning Preset Cloud, a hassle-free, fully-hosted cloud service marketed as a BI solution for modern teams. Like many other BI tools, Preset makes it easy to analyze, explore, and visualize data.
Preset pricing: Request a quote
Free trial: Yes
Best for experienced users:
1. Mode
Mode is a powerful BI tool that focuses on enterprises, meaning it may not be the best fit for many startup teams. Users must also have a strong knowledge of coding if they want to make the most of the platform’s data visualization capabilities, making it tricky for beginners. That being said, if you’re someone who knows your way around code, the tool delivers a lot of power.
that
Mode pricing: Studio is free, but you must request a quote for Business and Enterprise.
Free trial: There is a free version of the tool, you can also get a free trial of Business or schedule a demo of Enterprise
2. Sisense, formerly Periscope Data
Previously called Periscope Data, Sisense is an enterprise-level business intelligence tool designed for efficient data analysis. It isn’t meant for small or growing companies like startups. Users report that the tool’s business intelligence dashboard requires coding expertise in R and Python and that Sisense has failed to continue innovating the product.
Sisense pricing: Request a quote
Free trial: Yes
3. Looker
Looker is a powerful BI tool designed with data analysts in mind. It uses its own proprietary language called LookerML to model data and create SQL queries, meaning users must master this new language in addition to having a good grasp of SQL. The tool’s steep learning curve — and its astronomical prices (around seven or eight times more than Chartio) — make it a better choice for large organizations than startups. Plus, the fact that the tool was recently acquired by Google Cloud makes its future as a stand-alone solution unclear.
Looker pricing: Request a quote.
Free trial: None available. Request a demo.
The best BI tool companions
1. Retool
Retool is a low code platform that focuses on application development and helping startups and other businesses build powerful internal tools. This sets it apart from other tools on the list, many of which focus on BI reporting, database connection, and analytics. But don’t be fooled — even though Retool doesn’t focus on BI reporting, it can still help you create powerful BI charts.
Retool pricing:
Free version
Startup — $10/user/month
Pro — $50/user/month
Enterprise — Flexible pricing
Free trial: Retool offers free trials for Startup and Pro and you can book a demo for Enterprise.
2. Klipfolio
Klipfolio is a great data visualization tool that focuses on creating dashboards. While many professionals don’t consider it to be a full BI tool, that doesn’t mean it can’t fulfill all of a startup’s needs. Using Klipfolio’s proprietary XML files, which are essentially prebuilt visualizations, you can speed up workflows and unlock powerful insights. Just be warned — there’s a bit of a learning curve involved and the tool is expensive.
Klipfolio pricing:
Publish — $70/month or $588/year
Grow — $142/month or $1,188year
Team — $284/month or $2,388/year
Team+ — $570/month or $4,788/year
PowerMetrics pricing:
Free
Plus — $142/month or $1,188/year
Pro — $349/month or $2,988/year
Custom plans
Free trial: 14-day free trial of Klips with nearly unlimited access
3. Toucan Toco
Toucan Toco is one of the most unique tools on this list. Built primarily as a data storytelling platform, it’s primary goal is to help users communicate data-driven insights with their team and customers. The tool isn’t focused on exploring data, but rather making your data and insights easily understandable and visually appealing.
Toucan Toco pricing: Request a quote
Free trial: 15-day free trial
4. SeekTable
SeekTable offers both self-hosted and cloud versions, making it a tempting option for some organizations. While the platform’s website is a little confusing, users report a very positive overall experience thanks to SeekTable’s excellent customer support. Unlike many of the other BI tools on this list, SeekTable is primarily focused on operational reporting and ad-hoc analytical queries that produce pivot tables. It’s also a cheaper (and easier to integrate) solution than some of its competitors, making it a good choice for startups looking for a tool with these capabilities.
SeekTable pricing: Payments vary based on the specific services used.
Cloud pricing:
Free account
Team Sharing — $25/user/month or $299/user/year
Advanced publishing/embedding — $25/user/month or $299/user/year
Managed dedicated server — Starts at $250/month
Paid subscriptions for self-hosted SeekTable:
System/users admin or White-label mode or PivotData Microservice license or Single sign-on (SSO) — $499/year
Team Sharing — $25/user/month or $299/user/year
Advanced publishing/embedding — $25/user/month or $299/user/year
Audit Log — Request pricing
Free trial: There is a free version of the cloud product
Choosing the right BI tool for your startup team
If you’re currently shopping for a BI tool to make the most of your data, check out Actiondesk. While we may be biased — it is our product, after all — we think it’s easy-to-use interface makes it the best solution for startups and SMBs.
Actiondesk is the easiest way for startup teams to make better decisions with their data. It works like a spreadsheet, so everybody on your team can quickly get started.
If you’re in operations, marketing, sales, or customer support and have a question about your business you can now answer the question yourself with Actiondesk and a few spreadsheet formulas. That’s right — no more having to ask the engineers.
With Actiondesk, you can quickly answer questions like:
- What was our revenue yesterday?
- What’s our sales breakdown by region or supplier?
- How many deals entered a specific deal stage last week?
- How many customer requests take more than 48 hours to respond to?
Curious? Create your account for free and try it for yourself here. If you have any questions or comments on this article, let me know on twitter.
