Data, stats, figures, and numbers are basically the lifeblood of any business—they help make decisions, spot problems, and customize client interactions. But as businesses get bigger and deal with more customers, partners, and other folks, it’s easy to get buried under a mountain of records.
According to Statista, the total dose of data produced, captured, replicated, and consumed in 2020 reached 64.2 zettabytes. By the end of 2025, global data creation is predicted to multiply by about 3 times, reaching 180 zettabytes.
High volume, radical complexity, and wide assortment are the most common attributes used to characterize this data, which makes it almost impossible to use traditional data processing applications to deal with it.
With big data blowing up, more firms are catching on to the need for business intelligence (BI) tools that can conduct data analysis, visuals, and reports. But since the software market’s literally bigger than the oceans, finding and implementing the right BI tools can feel like a lot.
To make things easier, we’ve rounded up seven of the best BI tools available, excellent for both small companies and well-established performers.
What Are Business Intelligence Tools for?
In simple terms, business intelligence software is designed to turn heaps of raw numbers into useful insights.
It grabs data from everywhere in the business, looks for patterns and trends, and then lays it all out with easy charts, diagrams, and dashboards.
With Big Data development, business owners and managers keep tabs on key metrics, whip up detailed reports, run audits, and even plan their next moves.
Essentially, BI instruments allow you to plunge into what’s going on in your company and make adequate steps without having to guess.
Criteria for Selection
When picking out a BI tool, you must keep several factors in mind. First off, it should be 100% convenient—presentative and clear interface capabilities can save you from headaches and cut down on training time.
Good visualization is another must-have; the tool should let you construct explicit and interactive graphs and screens to make sense of your records.
Also, make sure the tool plays nicely with your current systems and can grow alongside your demands. You don’t want something that’s going to spoil your style as you scale up.
And, of course, consider the cost. Whether you’re looking at a free version or something with a pricier tag, make sure it’s in agreement with your finances and offers the components you seek.
Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI which goes number one on almost every list of the top BI dashboard tools makes a highly convenient instrument for turning complex data into open and intelligible numbers.
It works best with other Microsoft products like Excel and Azure, so you can easily pull in data from different sources.
Power BI’s dynamic and full-on dashboards, in turn, make it simple to create and share summaries and overviews, supporting various departments to make savvier moves together.
On top of that, it uses advanced AI to dig deeper into your stats and figures and spot insights you might miss otherwise. As far as costs are concerned, Power BI offers several pricing plans to fit firms of any size.
Tableau
Tableau which is usually a runner-up after Microsoft is an awesome tool for turning your data into lively, shareable panels and displays.
Its drag-and-drop setup makes it super easy to operate. You can tie it to everything from simple spreadsheets to complex databases, and it’s great for instant data investigation.
With a bunch of charts, maps, and other engaging features, Tableau helps you dig into your figures and clearly show them off. Tableau has a free version (Tableau Public) for basic analysis, and several paid plans if you require more advanced components.
Qlik Sense
Qlik Sense (formerly Swedish, now it’s American) is great for letting you dive into your data on your own.
Its AI-driven elements detect similarities and trends you might miss and accumulate them into hands-on, customizable info screens. You can use it in any cloud or on your own servers, so it’s super flexible.
Plus, its pricing adjusts based on what your company prefers, so it’s a great pick for enterprises not bound by rigid standards.
Looker (Google Cloud)
Right now, the Looker Platform operates as a part of the Google Cloud Platform and offers a wide collection of tools for relational database work, business insights, and other services.
It gives you on-the-spot statistics and lets you add them right to your apps. Most of all, Looker is a great option for data modeling and visualizations, so you can make accurate judgments and calculations.
Looker’s pricing is truly diverse and scales with your company, so you never miss a tiny detail of what has changed.
Domo
Domo is a cloud-based business intelligence software that regulates everything from pulling in data to creating visual summaries and analyses. Its mobile-friendly panels make it easy to inspect information on the go, which is significant for units and divisions that are always on the move.
Moreover, with immediate data processing, you get the latest updates exactly when you want them.
Domo is highly adjustable, so you can tweak it to serve your business’s specific conditions and only pay for the stuff you actually use.
Sisense
Sisense is known for its capability to add analytics right into your existing workflows and apps. Its AI engine helps catch indistinct coincidences in your data, so you can get helpful figures from gigantic data sets.
Sisense makes it easy to further embed these insights into your current systems and reinforce their value.
When it comes to costs, the pricing is adaptable, so it fits different business necessities and extends to your needs.
SAP BusinessObjects
SAP BusinessObjects is a top-tier platform made for large corporations that seek serious reporting and data examination.
It’s created to process complex stats and give you clear takeaways across all your divisions. Since it works best with other SAP developments, managing and analyzing data becomes easier than ever.
The pricing is honestly on the higher side, but that reflects its enterprise-level qualities and powers made for big operations.
Brief Verdict: What to Choose and What to Do If None BI Tools Suit
When you’re picking the right BI tool, it’s really up to you to decide. If you already sit in the Microsoft or Google ecosystems, Power BI or Looker might be your best bet.
Tableau is fantastic for premier visuals, while Qlik Sense and Sisense are ideal if you look for deeper data investigation or custom touch. Domo, in turn, is perfect for “migrating” teams, and SAP BusinessObjects—for large corporations and entities.
But, if none of these tools feel like the right fit for you, no worries—you can always go custom. SCAND can whip up a BI solution made just for your company without all the extras you had to pay for.
