Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs SAP BusinessObjects BI 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…
SAP BusinessObjects BI
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Business Intelligence Software helps simplify business decision-making and analytics. Both BusinessObjects BI and Crystal Reports are the market leaders in business intelligence software bringing information from all ent…
Microsoft Power BI Desktop leads on user satisfaction with a 4.3-star rating across 1,137 reviews.
Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs SAP BusinessObjects BI — at a glance
| Feature | Microsoft Power BI Desktop | SAP BusinessObjects BI |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,137 | 1,203 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Enterprise, Large Enterprises | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Business Intelligence Software | Business Intelligence Software |
| Platforms | — | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | — | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2 | GDPR |
| Data residency | Global | Global |
Key differences between Microsoft Power BI Desktop and SAP BusinessObjects BI
- Free trial: Microsoft Power BI Desktop offers a free trial; SAP BusinessObjects BI does not.
- Target audience: Microsoft Power BI Desktop is built for Enterprise and Large Enterprises, while SAP BusinessObjects BI targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Microsoft Power BI Desktop scores higher with a 4.3-star average.
Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs SAP BusinessObjects BI — 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 |
Free PDF comparison
Download this Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs SAP BusinessObjects BI comparison
Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Business Intelligence Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.
- Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
- Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
- Emailed to you — no on-screen download
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Enterprise, Large Enterprises
Best for enterprises needing customizable, powerful BI with complex reporting needs.
- You require advanced, customizable reporting and dashboard capabilities.
- Your team includes business or data analysts comfortable with a flexible, configurable platform.
- You need efficient data extraction and real-time analysis without SQL expertise.
- You are a small business without dedicated BI resources or technical support.
- You need a quick, simple setup with minimal training and low complexity.
Microsoft Power BI Desktop typically suits Enterprise and Large Enterprises. SAP BusinessObjects BI tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business 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 | Business Intelligence Software helps simplify business decision-making and analytics. Both BusinessObjects BI and Crystal Reports are the market leaders in business intelligence software ... Read More about SAP BusinessObjects BI |
|---|---|---|
Free Trial Availability |
|
|
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | — | 51-500 employees500+ employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.
- Independent advice — matched to your business
- Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
- Free 15-min call with a software advisor.
Step 1 of 4
How big is your team?
We tailor recommendations to companies your size.
How do Microsoft Power BI Desktop and SAP BusinessObjects BI 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 SAP BusinessObjects BI 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.
Pricing Option | ||
|---|---|---|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | — |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ 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 powerful reporting and customization, tempered by a steep learning curve and occasional performance problems. What buyers like
Common complaints
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  OSIsoft  Fordham University |  Vodafone  Penn Foster  Mercy |
|---|
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |  4 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  1 Videos |  2 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Microsoft Power BI Desktop and SAP BusinessObjects BI in 2026
Alternatives |
|---|
Add another option to compare side by side
Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.Compare similar software options
Related Blogs and Articles for Business Intelligence Software
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 SAP BusinessObjects BI?
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop edges out the other on user ratings (4.3 vs 4.0). 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 SAP BusinessObjects BI offer a free trial?
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop offers a free trial. SAP BusinessObjects BI does not.
- What is the starting price of Microsoft Power BI Desktop vs SAP BusinessObjects BI?
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop starts at Contact for pricing. SAP BusinessObjects BI starts at Contact for pricing.
- 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 SAP BusinessObjects BI?
- Top alternatives to SAP BusinessObjects BI include SAP Lumira, Entrinsik Informer, Tableau, SplashBI, Microsoft Power BI.