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Microsoft Power BI vs Looker Comparison

Last updated:

Microsoft Power BI

4.4(2,583 reviews)

Starting at $4,995 /Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Power BI is a suite of analytics tools that works across a variety of devices. Power BI gives business users access to real-time data from systems, from spreadsheets and databases to SaaS applications. Power BI can live…

Looker

4.5(1,484 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Looker is a business intelligence platform that combines the power of SQL with a new user experience to deliver data that users can interact with, explore and understand. Looker's business analytics software helps compan…

Looker leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 1,484 reviews.

Microsoft Power BI vs Looker — at a glance

FeatureMicrosoft Power BILooker
Rating4.4 / 54.5 / 5
Reviews2,5831,484
Starting price$4,995 /MonthContact for pricing
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryBusiness Intelligence SoftwareBusiness Intelligence Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobal

Key differences between Microsoft Power BI and Looker

  • Pricing: Microsoft Power BI starts at $4,995 /Month. Looker pricing is not publicly listed.
  • User satisfaction: Looker scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: Microsoft Power BI supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Looker supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows.

Microsoft Power BI vs Looker — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

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.

Microsoft Power BI - Business Intelligence Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Looker - Business Intelligence Software
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Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Microsoft Power BI

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Looker

Best for SQL-powered, user-friendly BI with strong collaboration features.

Choose if
  • You need a flexible BI tool for data analytics teams in medium to large enterprises.
  • Your team values easy data exploration with seamless integration of multiple data sources.
  • You want strong collaboration capabilities to support cross-functional teamwork.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your organization requires highly customizable or advanced visualizations beyond Looker's limits.
  • You handle very large datasets needing rapid loading and high performance.

Microsoft Power BI typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Looker 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

Power BI is a suite of analytics tools that works across a variety of devices. Power BI gives business users access to real-time data from systems, from spreadsheets and databases to SaaS ... Read More about Microsoft Power BI

Looker is a business intelligence platform that combines the power of SQL with a new user experience to deliver data that users can interact with, explore and understand. Looker's business ... Read More about Looker

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $4,995
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • Free Trial available
  • Free Trial available

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.8/10

9.4/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

51-500 employees1000+ employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

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Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

How do Microsoft Power BI and Looker Compare on Features?

Total Features

8 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Microsoft Power BI and Looker 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

      Starting From

      • $4,995
      • Not Available

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Microsoft Power BI pricing

      Pricing information not available

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Medium Business
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Medium Business
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✓ Yes

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global

      Microsoft Power BI User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      105

      42

      3

      1

      0

      479

      151

      14

      0

      3

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is positive across 151 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

      What buyers like

      • Wide range of pricing models, offering flexibility for different budgets.
      • Can connect to almost any data source, enhancing data accessibility and analysis.
      • Offers extensive visual and add-on library, facilitating enhanced data visualization.

      Common complaints

      • Desktop version can feel clunky and may have bugs that need addressing.
      • Requires background knowledge in SQL and database management for efficient use.
      • Pricing models may limit accessibility to some features for non-pro users.

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and strong data visualization, tempered by concerns over performance and customization limitations.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Data visualization
      • Data integration

      Common complaints

      • Loading speed with large datasets
      • Limited customization

      Pros and Cons

      • Wide range of pricing models, offering flexibility for different budgets.

      • Can connect to almost any data source, enhancing data accessibility and analysis.

      • Offers extensive visual and add-on library, facilitating enhanced data visualization.

      • Desktop version can feel clunky and may have bugs that need addressing.

      • Requires background knowledge in SQL and database management for efficient use.

      • User-friendly interface enabling easy data exploration

      • Powerful data visualization for compelling reports and dashboards

      • Seamless integration with multiple data sources

      • Slow loading times with large datasets

      • Limited customization options for visualizations

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      List of Customers

      Customers

      Adobe

      Adobe

      GE Healthcare

      GE Healthcare

      Heathrow

      Heathrow

      Twilio

      Twilio

      King

      King

      Carta

      Carta

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Power BI service

      7 Screenshots

      Business Intelligence

      3 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      5 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Microsoft Power BI and Looker in 2026

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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 or Looker?
      Looker edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Microsoft Power BI and Looker offer a free trial?
      Yes, both Microsoft Power BI and Looker offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Microsoft Power BI vs Looker?
      Microsoft Power BI starts at $4,995 /Month. Looker starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Power BI?
      Top alternatives to Microsoft Power BI include Google Drive, Tableau, IBM Cognos Analytics, Dundas BI, SAS Business Intelligence.
      What are the top alternatives to Looker?
      Top alternatives to Looker include Qlik Sense, Sisense, Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, Dundas BI.

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