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SAP BusinessObjects BI vs Looker Comparison

Last updated:

SAP BusinessObjects BI

4.0(1,203 reviews)

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…

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.

SAP BusinessObjects BI vs Looker — at a glance

FeatureSAP BusinessObjects BILooker
Rating4.0 / 54.5 / 5
Reviews1,2031,484
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No 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 - iOS, Installed - WindowsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesOnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsGDPRSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between SAP BusinessObjects BI and Looker

  • Free trial: Looker offers a free trial; SAP BusinessObjects BI does not.
  • User satisfaction: Looker scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: SAP BusinessObjects BI supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows; Looker supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows.

SAP BusinessObjects 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.

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Looker - Business Intelligence Software
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Free PDF comparison

Download this SAP BusinessObjects BI vs Looker comparison

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

SAP BusinessObjects BI

Best for enterprises needing customizable, powerful BI with complex reporting needs.

Choose if
  • 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.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small business without dedicated BI resources or technical support.
  • You need a quick, simple setup with minimal training and low complexity.

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.

SAP BusinessObjects BI: Best for enterprises needing customizable, powerful BI with complex reporting needs. Looker: Best for SQL-powered, user-friendly BI with strong collaboration features.

Description

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

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

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • Free Trial available

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.0/10

9.4/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

51-500 employees500+ employees
51-500 employees1000+ employees
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Software Demo

Demo

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Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

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How do SAP BusinessObjects BI and Looker Compare on Features?

Total Features

10 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare SAP BusinessObjects 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

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • 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
      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      SAP BusinessObjects BI User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      58

      75

      18

      6

      1

      479

      151

      14

      0

      3

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights powerful reporting and customization, tempered by a steep learning curve and occasional performance problems.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use without SQL knowledge
      • Efficient data extraction
      • Customizable reporting

      Common complaints

      • Steep learning curve
      • Performance issues

      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

      • User-friendly platform usable without SQL knowledge

      • Efficient data extraction and real-time analysis capabilities

      • Customizable reporting tools that enhance productivity

      • Steep learning curve requiring time and dedication

      • Complex features and overwhelming options for new users

      • 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

      Vodafone

      Vodafone

      Penn Foster

      Penn Foster

      Mercy

      Mercy

      Twilio

      Twilio

      King

      King

      Carta

      Carta

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      launch Quick Sizer Tool

      4 Screenshots

      Business Intelligence

      3 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to SAP BusinessObjects BI and Looker in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      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, SAP BusinessObjects BI or Looker?
      Looker edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do SAP BusinessObjects BI and Looker offer a free trial?
      Looker offers a free trial. SAP BusinessObjects BI does not.
      What is the starting price of SAP BusinessObjects BI vs Looker?
      SAP BusinessObjects BI starts at Contact for pricing. Looker starts at Contact for pricing.
      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.
      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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