Features Comparison

Power BI is in demand for limited dataset processing at an affordable price. Tableau is adept at complex data computing and can easily handle large volumes, while Qlik Sense is popular for advanced analytics.

Instead of a Qlik vs. Tableau vs. Power BI comparison, we discuss Qlik Sense vs. Tableau vs. Power BI here. Let’s dive in.

Data Management

Source connectivity, data blending, profiling, and designing and tracking data pipeline workflows are essential data management attributes. All the tools support this feature in our QlikView vs. Tableau vs. Power BI comparison.

Power BI

Features	Limitations
Its Query Editor lets you blend information through efficient data profiling. You can define custom metrics through reusable data models. Microsoft’s SSAS module for OLAP connects to sources in real time. You can define custom metrics through reusable data models. It relies on Microsoft’s SSAS module for OLAP and real-time source connectivity.	None. In our analysis, Power BI fully supports core data management capabilities.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
The platform has two data management modules — Prep Builder and Prep Conductor. The Prep Builder assists in designing workflows like filtering, renaming and duplicating fields, editing values and changing data types. Scheduling and monitoring these workflows happens with the Prep Conductor. The Tableau vs. Power BI comparison sees both coming through for OLAP.	None. In our analysis, Tableau fully supports core data management capabilities.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
Artificial intelligence (AI) in Qlik Sense reveals data correlations using automatic suggestions for concatenation and table linking. You can monitor data quality metrics using intelligent profiling.	None. In our analysis, Qlik Sense fully supports core data management capabilities.

The Winner: All three products tie for data management.

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 100	Tableau – 100	Qlik Sense – 100

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Dashboards and Data Visualization

Templates, interactivity, self-service capabilities and data refreshes help you derive accurate insight. Customization and formatting options enable personalized visualizations.

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Power BI

Features	Limitations
Create visual reports, set specific dashboards as favorites and configure alerts for metrics tracking. Pin tiles from any report to your dashboard and customize them from the toolbar. Dashboard templates aren’t built-in, but you can get them through Power BI Template Apps.	Power BI supports animations only with end-user customization.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
When comparing Tableau vs. Power BI, Tableau’s Dashboard Starters get you started instantly on visualizing data. Build visualizations from scratch or download and duplicate those made by the user community. A built-in animation library helps enhance visual presentations.	None. In our analysis, Tableau fully supports dashboards and data visualization.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
View your business’s critical metrics through charts and graphs. Embed YouTube videos into Qlik Sense apps with its video player visualization. Animations are available.	Doesn’t provide dashboard and report templates.

The Winner: Tableau wins, thanks to comprehensive dashboard and data visualization capabilities.

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 94	Tableau – 100	Qlik Sense – 100

Reporting

Generating reports is the endgame of business intelligence. Data exploration and insight sharing, versioning, and access permissions through user management and data governance are essential attributes of BI tools.

In the QlikView vs. Power BI vs. Tableau comparison, all three products are popular enterprise reporting tools, providing managed and ad hoc reporting.

Power BI

Features	Limitations
With its Report Server’s robust governance protocols, you can share reports even behind a firewall. You can configure permissions and role-based access. You can subscribe for automatic report delivery. Power BI delivers the report after the latest refresh.	Doesn’t support report versioning. Doesn’t have built-in text search, relying instead on Narrative Science Quill, an advanced natural-language (NLG) platform.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
Tableau enables fast text-based querying with its Ask Data module. Report versioning is available to see what changed or revert to a previous draft. Subscribe to get reports via email in image or PDF format. Making reports public requires publishing sample workbooks on its server.	None. In our analysis, Tableau fully supports core reporting capabilities.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
Qlik Sense flexibly lets you create master item lists for designing multiple reports. Simple English searches for enterprise reporting are available via the Insight Advisor module. You can access reports directly from the Qlik Sense Hub.	Automatic report delivery isn’t built-in — you need Qlik NPrinting to do the job. Qlik Sense relies on WIP, a third-party solution, for source control and version management and Qlik NPrinting for report delivery.

The Winner: Tableau emerges as the winner for reporting with built-in versioning and subscription-based report delivery.

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 89	Tableau – 93	Qlik Sense – 88

Data Querying

It involves live source connections, data transformations and batch uploads. Comparing Power BI, Tableau and Qlik Sense, all products support high-speed queries through in-memory analysis.

Power BI

Features	Limitations
Create and save updated reports to your workspaces with live connectivity to shared datasets and models. The Query Editor gives you more than 350 transforms for renaming tables and columns, removing rows and setting the first row as headers.	Doesn’t have a dedicated batch update feature. Instead, it leverages the bulk operations functionality to upload large volumes. Doesn’t support multi-pass SQL.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
Query data intuitively using its visual query language, VizQL, or append, combine and aggregate specific datasets using SQL. Create live connections and share them on the Tableau server for use by others.	None. In our analysis, Tableau fully supports core data querying capabilities.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
When comparing Qlik vs. Power BI, Qlik has a Direct Discovery module to establish live source connections. Built-in batch updates are available. The Qlik Data Integration Platform reloads data incrementally from live sources.	Doesn’t support multi-pass SQL.

The Winner: Tableau wins, thanks to batch updates and powerful visual querying.

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 90	Tableau – 99	Qlik Sense – 92

Compare Power BI, Tableau and Qlik Sense Against Your Needs

Advanced Analytics

It includes predictive modeling, regression analysis, period-over-period comparisons, text mining and sentiment analysis. All three tools have simple and advanced statistical functions for scenario simulation and what-if analysis.

Power BI

Features	Limitations
The tool uses EM algorithms and K-means for clustering analysis. It supports simple linear regression and predictive modeling.	Doesn’t provide PMML (predictive modeling markup language) support. Relies on Microsoft Azure for text analytics.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
It supports regression analysis using MATLAB, R and Python. The tool provides built-in date/time functions for comparisons like year-over-year growth and moving averages.	Doesn’t support text mining. Relies on an API for sentiment analysis.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
When comparing Qlik vs. Power BI, Qlik Sense gains an edge with PMML support, though it’s with partner integration. The platform’s R plugin enables bi-variate linear analysis and forecasting. A third-party extension, the Vizlib Line Chart, helps predict trends and opportunities.	None. In our analysis, Qlik Sense supports core advanced analytics capabilities.

The Winner: Qlik Sense leads the pack with its support for PMML and easy integration with third-party tools.

Analyst Rating

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 85	Tableau – 75	Qlik Sense – 95

Augmented Analytics

Predictive data modeling, contextual insight, text and voice searches and guided analysis augment your BI tool’s capabilities.

As part of augmented analytics, AI, deep learning and machine learning drive high-speed queries by learning from user searches and previous recommendations.

Power BI

Features	Limitations
Its AutoML module helps train models for analysis. Quick Insights helps identify basic correlations and potential outliers.	None. In our analysis, Power BI fully supports core augmented analytics capabilities.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
Get context-aware suggestions with its Insight Advisor — ask questions in everyday language and view the results as a visualization. The software offers detailed explanations when you hover over data points.	Doesn’t support automated algorithms, feature selection and model tuning. Doesn’t support contextual insights and key driver analysis. Doesn’t support voice searches.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
Speed up data preparation and pipeline authoring with associative recommendations from Qlik’s Cognitive Engine. With an Insight Advisor for guided analysis, Qlik Sense scores at par in the Qlik vs. Tableau comparison. Smart Search lets you search across the entire data set.	Doesn’t support automated algorithms, feature selection and model tuning.

The Winner: Power BI leads the pack for augmented analytics thanks to its full, out-of-the-box support of core features.

Analyst Rating

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 69	Tableau – 18	Qlik Sense – 67

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Embedded Analytics

Some attributes of embedded BI tools are white labeling, customization, multi-tenant support, data security, and report embeddability into websites and apps.

Embeddable platforms provide a nifty solution for companies looking to add analytics to their software or service without building in-house.

Power BI

Features	Limitations
Embed dashboards, interactive reports and tiles in your application — no need to log in and out repeatedly. The vendor offers a multi-tenant setup, which is cost-effective and resource-optimal. Power BI Embedded is a more robust version of the original platform and offers white labeling, customization and question-and-answer (Q&A) support.	None. In our analysis, Power BI fully supports core embedded analytics capabilities.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
Embedding personalized Tableau views and dashboards into business applications helps showcase your brand. You can customize the views and manage users, content and displays backed by REST APIs. The vendor ensures information integrity with stringent security protocols.	None. In our analysis, Tableau fully supports core embedded analytics capabilities.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
Embed a single sheet as-is into a website, or display multiple visualizations by creating embeddable web solutions from the Qlik Sense tech stack. The platform offers moderate support for background apps.	Doesn’t offer automated workflows natively, depending instead on extension APIs and integrations. Relies on partner integrations for write-backs.

The Winner: Power BI wins for embedded analytics.

Analyst Rating

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 100	Tableau – 91	Qlik Sense – 78

IoT Analytics

It’s the science of gathering and analyzing information from internet-connected devices like computers, laptops, mobile devices, thermostats, virtual assistants, machine sensors and smartwatches.

Embedded applications, websites and web apps contribute valuable data to IoT analytics.

Power BI

Features	Limitations
The platform collects real-time business information by integrating with Azure Stream Analytics and IoT Hub. Other sources include social media feeds, clickstreams and log files. You can set it up so the information feeds into reports automatically.	Relies on Azure Stream Analytics and IoT Hub for IoT analytics.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
Track device and machine usage with performance metrics from internet-connected sensors and devices. Minimize defects by monitoring field assets, like heavy machinery, in real time.	Doesn’t support edge analytics. Relies on Rockset JDBC connector to enable dynamic dashboard-building.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
The solution keeps you in touch with the latest insight by capturing near-real-time data changes. Data ingestion is faster as it automatically generates the target schema based on the source metadata. It pulls data from databases, mainframes and SAP systems, working with the Qlik Data Integration platform.	None. In our analysis, Qlik Sense fully supports core IoT analytics capabilities.

The Winner: Qlik Sense wins for IoT analytics.

Analyst Rating

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 60	Tableau – 50	Qlik Sense – 82

Geospatial Visualizations and Analysis

Integration with Bing, ArcGIS and Google Maps, geospatial functions, spatial analysis, and forward and reverse geocoding are useful for location visualization.

Power BI

Features	Limitations
The platform provides location visualizations to pin to dashboards by integrating with Bing, ArcGIS and Google Maps. Additionally, you can create visuals based on TopoJSON maps. Geospatial functions are available through Power Query or Data Analysis Expressions.	Relies on Bing Maps to provide geographical coordinates for map-based searches.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
Perform advanced spatial analysis by combining geodata files with text files and spreadsheets. The solution offers built-in forward and reverse geocoding for fleet and delivery tracking, IoT analytics and payment processing. The software integrates with Mapbox, Google Maps and Bing Maps out of the box.	None. In our analysis, Tableau fully supports core geospatial visualization and analytics capabilities.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
The platform relies on Qlik Geocoding and the GeoAnalytics connector and server to augment its geolocation capabilities.	Doesn’t provide geocoding, geospatial functions or spatial file support. Relies on Qlik’s GeoAnalytics module for WMS server integration.

The Winner: Tableau takes the lead in geospatial visualizations and analysis with integrations in various formats, interactive visualizations and its powerful map search function.

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 86	Tableau – 100	Qlik Sense – 76

Compare BI Pricing & Costs with our Pricing Guide

Mobile BI

Dashboard and report access on laptops, mobile phones and tablets is essential if you need to stay in touch with your business when away from the office.

Responsive, shareable reports with live collaboration may not be available with all BI tools, so ask vendors if it’s on your wishlist. Offline access is an asset in low internet connectivity areas.

Power BI

Features	Limitations
Create and access reports and dashboards with the Power BI Service or app on mobile devices. Share insight, ask queries, set alerts and collaborate with others through annotations, comments and @mentions.	None. In our analysis, Power BI fully supports core mobile BI capabilities.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
Browse, search and scroll through dashboards on any device with Tableau’s mobile app. Preview visualizations and workbooks before sharing, and interact with them offline.	Doesn’t support mobile collaboration, geospatial analysis and QR code scanning. The mobile app isn’t available with Tableau Public — you’ll need a Tableau Server or Online account.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
You can access Qlik Sense apps and mashups on mobile with all the features – visualization, creation, analysis, collaboration and administration. Add context to analytics with compelling narratives and conduct meaningful discussions around data. In the QlikView vs. Tableau comparison, you can download apps by connecting to Qlik Sense environments. Offline data exploration is available.	None. In our analysis, Qlik Sense fully supports core mobile BI capabilities.

The Winner: Power BI leads in this category.

Analyst Rating

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 100	Tableau – 71	Qlik Sense – 93

Platform Functions

Rich platform functionality includes collaborative workspaces, globalization support and database write-backs.

A decentralized analytics environment promotes security and data privacy, including quick recovery from outages and breaches. All three solutions provide this functionality. Let’s see how they fare for the other platform attributes.

Power BI

Features	Limitations
Collaborative workspaces enable team ownership of reports, dashboards, datasets and workbooks. Supports system localization in 44 languages. The platform detects the language based on browser settings. The solution enables write-backs to transactional applications.	None. In our analysis, Power BI fully supports core platform functions.

Tableau

Features	Limitations
The tool allows sharing of links, projects, workbooks, data sources, workflows and views. You can set up data-driven alerts to send to specific users via email. Localization of menus, labels, currency symbols and screen prompts is available in eight languages. Data and numeric formatting are available. Tableau supports write-backs.	None. In our analysis, Tableau fully supports core platform functions.

Qlik Sense

Features	Limitations
The vendor provides collaboration, data storytelling, Slack integration and metrics alerts. Screen localization, including currency conversion, is available in 15 languages.	None. In our analysis, Qlik Sense fully supports core platform functions.

The Winner: Power BI and Tableau tie for the winner’s position in this category.

Analyst Rating

Analyst Rating
Power BI – 100	Tableau – 100	Qlik Sense – 92

Compare Power BI, Tableau and Qlik Sense Against Your Needs

Which BI Tool Wins?

Of 11 functional requirements, Power BI is the winner, leading for five requirements.

• Data management (ties with Tableau and Qlik Sense)
• Augmented analytics
• Embedded analytics
• Mobile insight
• Platform functionality (ties with Tableau)

Tableau wins the top spot for:

• Dashboards and data visualization
• Reporting
• Data querying
• Geospatial visualization and analytics

Qlik Sense is ahead of the other two in providing:

• IoT analytics
• Advanced analytics

Refer to the comparison table above.

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For a complete product cost comparison, check out our free pricing guide. Software pricing will vary depending on the feature set, add-ons and deployment model.

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FAQs

Is Tableau better than Power BI?

Advantages of Tableau

• Known for its visualization capabilities.
• Has a more user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop visuals.
• Can handle large datasets easily.
• Uses MDX (Multidimensional Expressions), usable in more reporting scenarios than DAX, the language of Power BI.

Advantages of Power BI

• Excellent for all users — intuitive for beginners and offers more robust functionality for advanced users.
• Performs faster for limited datasets.
• More affordable with lower-priced paid options.

Both products offer a free trial.

Tableau is a market leader in visualizations and can handle large data volumes. Power BI might be a natural choice if you have Microsoft products or work with limited datasets.

Additionally, Power BI can be a better fit if you’re on a stringent budget.

Should I opt for Qlik Sense or QlikView?

It depends on your business needs, though both solutions provide BI and analytics.

QlikView

• Based on guided analytics.
• Developers have greater control over app design and customization.
• Only QlikView document developers can create data models, charts and formulas, delivering them to analysts for data exploration. It offers analysts limited visualization capabilities.

Qlik Sense

• Provides self-service data discovery.
• Empowers analysts to create new apps and visualizations, leading to more engaged users.
• Easier to use on touch screens and responsive to different screen sizes.

For QlikView users, the vendor offers a cost-effective upgrade to Qlik Sense.

Should I learn Python or Power BI?

Python is a general-purpose programming language with rich libraries and frameworks. Data analysis is one of the many tasks it supports using functions and visualizations in addition to machine learning algorithms.

If your role requires building interactive visualizations and reports without extensive programming, Power BI might be a better fit. It integrates well with Microsoft products, including Excel and SQL Server.

Does Tableau require coding?

No. Exploring ready-made visualizations is easy for consumers, but deep-dive analysis requires technical experience. A proprietary technology, VizQL, enables querying and visualization building using drag-and-drop user actions.

Data analysts with technical knowledge and skills may find it easier to learn. Creating custom calculations in Tableau can seem like math, but it doesn’t require conventional coding.

How long does it take to learn Tableau or Power BI?

The time to scale to either of these systems depends on your prior technical experience, learning speed and the level of expertise you want to achieve. Data users consider Power BI more intuitive, while Tableau requires some technical expertise.

Achieving the desired proficiency level may take a few weeks to months of dedicated learning and practice. Prior experience with data analysis or visualization tools can help you scale faster.

Compare Power BI, Tableau and Qlik Sense Against Your Needs

Next Steps

Power BI is affordable for business users, which puts it within reach of small and mid-sized businesses. Tableau is designed for data analysts, so there’s a learning curve. Qlik Sense is pricier but has competitive analytics capabilities.
The above comparative analysis should give you an idea of BI tools’ capabilities.

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What did you think of our Power BI vs. Tableau vs. Qlik Sense comparison? Which features are on your must-have list? Please share with us in the comments below!

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