Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Qlik Sense Comparison
Microsoft Power BI Desktop
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Enterprise
- Large Enterprises
Microsoft Power BI Desktop helps you uncover hidden business value by quickly accessing actionable insights. Streamline your data-preparation tasks with powerful modeling tools while regaining hours in your day through t…
Qlik Sense
Starting at $30 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Qlik is an advanced analytics platform that makes business intelligence more powerful, engaging and simple. With Sense's all-in-one dashboard and interactive visualizations, user can create dashboards and reports, share…
Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Qlik Sense — at a glance
| Feature | Microsoft Power BI Desktop | Qlik Sense |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,137 | 1,718 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $30 /User/Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Enterprise, Large Enterprises | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Business Intelligence Software | Business Intelligence Software |
| Platforms | — | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | — | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2 | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 |
| Data residency | Global | Global |
Key differences between Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Qlik Sense
- Pricing: Qlik Sense starts at $30 /User/Month. Microsoft Power BI Desktop pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: Microsoft Power BI Desktop is built for Enterprise and Large Enterprises, while Qlik Sense targets Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises.
Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Qlik Sense — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Business Intelligence Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Enterprise, Large Enterprises
Best for medium to large enterprises needing powerful, self-service BI with strong ETL.
- You need a flexible, all-in-one BI platform for interactive dashboards and reports.
- Your team includes data analysts and business users requiring customizable, self-service analytics.
- You require strong ETL capabilities integrated with frontend visualization for efficient data processing.
- You are a small business with limited BI budget and need a simple, out-of-the-box tool.
- Your priority is mobile/tablet BI performance or minimal learning curve for quick adoption.
Microsoft Power BI Desktop typically suits Enterprise and Large Enterprises. Qlik Sense tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Microsoft Power BI Desktop helps you uncover hidden business value by quickly accessing actionable insights. Streamline your data-preparation tasks with powerful modeling tools while ... Read More about Microsoft Power BI Desktop | Qlik is an advanced analytics platform that makes business intelligence more powerful, engaging and simple. With Sense's all-in-one dashboard and interactive visualizations, user can create ... Read More about Qlik Sense |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | — | 51-500 employees500+ employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Qlik Sense Compare on Features?
Total Features | 5 Features | 10 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Qlik Sense on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Pricing Plans |
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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | — | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
Microsoft Power BI Desktop User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 25 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and powerful self-service BI features, tempered by concerns over complexity and mobile performance. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  OSIsoft  Fordham University |  Lenovo  McKesson  aramark |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |  1 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  1 Videos |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Qlik Sense in 2026
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Microsoft Power BI Desktop or Qlik Sense?
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Qlik Sense are closely matched with equal user ratings of 4.3. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific Business Intelligence Software needs.
- Do Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Qlik Sense offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Qlik Sense offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Qlik Sense?
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop starts at Contact for pricing. Qlik Sense starts at $30 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Power BI Desktop?
- Top alternatives to Microsoft Power BI Desktop include Entrinsik Informer, Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, Dundas BI, QlikView.
- What are the top alternatives to Qlik Sense?
- Top alternatives to Qlik Sense include Alteryx, iDashboards, Entrinsik Informer, Tableau, Looker.