Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Redash 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…
Redash
Starting at Free free
- Small Business
- Mid-Market
Redash is an open-source data visualization and dashboarding tool that lets teams query any data source with SQL and build shareable dashboards without code. It supports 35+ data source connectors (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Big…
Microsoft Power BI Desktop leads on user satisfaction with a 4.8-star rating across 25 reviews.
Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Redash — at a glance
| Feature | Microsoft Power BI Desktop | Redash |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Reviews | 25 | 395 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Free free |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Enterprise, Large Enterprises | Small Business, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Category | Business Intelligence Software | Business Intelligence Software |
| Platforms | — | Cloud, On-Premise, Linux |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | — | GitHub Issues, Community Forum, Help Center |
| Certifications | SOC 2 | — |
| Data residency | Global | — |
Key differences between Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Redash
- Pricing: Redash starts at Free free. Microsoft Power BI Desktop pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Microsoft Power BI Desktop offers a free trial; Redash does not.
- Target audience: Microsoft Power BI Desktop is built for Enterprise and Large Enterprises, while Redash targets Small Business and Mid-Market.
- User satisfaction: Microsoft Power BI Desktop scores higher with a 4.8-star average.
Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Redash — 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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Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Redash: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Enterprise, Large Enterprises
Small Business, Mid-Market, Enterprise
Microsoft Power BI Desktop typically suits Enterprise and Large Enterprises. Redash tends to fit Small Business and Mid-Market 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 | Redash is an open-source data visualization and dashboarding tool that lets teams query any data source with SQL and build shareable dashboards without code. It supports 35+ data source ... Read More about Redash |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
No key benefits available yet.
- Free BI for Any Data Source: Self-hosted Redash provides full BI functionality — dashboards, scheduling, alerts, user management — at zero software cost on any infrastructure.
- SQL-Powered Self-Service: Parameterized queries let non-technical stakeholders filter dashboards without writing SQL, while keeping all logic in SQL that analysts control.
- Central Query Library: Shared query library lets teams build on each other's SQL work — no duplicate queries written across five analysts for the same underlying data.
Best fit
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- Data engineering teams self-hosting a free BI tool over internal PostgreSQL/MySQL databases without SaaS licensing costs
- Startups needing SQL-based dashboards and reporting without budget for Tableau or Looker
- Teams connecting to unusual data sources (Elasticsearch, MongoDB, REST APIs) that commercial BI tools do not support natively
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Redash 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 Redash 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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Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Redash: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Redash Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | — |
Microsoft Power BI Desktop User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.2 (based on 395 reviews) | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 25 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 395 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. 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 |
Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Redash Customers
Customers |  OSIsoft  Fordham University | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  1 Videos | No videos available. |
Top Alternatives to Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Redash 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 Redash?
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop edges out the other on user ratings (4.8 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Microsoft Power BI Desktop and Redash offer a free trial?
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop offers a free trial. Redash does not.
- What is the starting price of Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs Redash?
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop starts at Contact for pricing. Redash starts at Free free.
- What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Power BI Desktop?
- Top alternatives to Microsoft Power BI Desktop include BizTalk360, Deep.BI, Trevor.io, Microsoft Power BI, Secoda.
- What are the top alternatives to Redash?
- Top alternatives to Redash include Microsoft Power BI Desktop, Qlik Sense, Celonis, Mode, CrunchMetrics.