Top 21 Business Intelligence Tools to Grow Your Business
Your organization is like a car, and data is its fuel—without it, the car won't move forward, just as your organization can't thrive without actionable data. But having fuel isn’t enough; you need the right engine to convert it into power. That’s where Business Intelligence tools (BI tools) come in.
These tools are like high-performance engines designed to process raw data to provide valuable insights to drive strategic business decision. Whether you’re looking to analyze customer behavior, optimize operations, or predict market shifts, the right BI tool can transform data into your organization’s most valuable asset.
To help you pick the right solution, we created accounts on each platform and tested them with sample data. After thorough evaluation, we identified 23 the best business intelligence tools on the market that deliver powerful function and is easy-to-use.
Author: SalesHero
Date: Dec 3, 2024
In this article, you will learn about:
What is a Business Intelligence Tool?
Business intelligence tools are software applications designed to collect, process, and analyze massive volumes of data, both structured and unstructured from a wide range of sources. These sources can include everything from documents, emails, videos, social media posts, and more. Using advanced queries, BI tools can effortlessly retrieve data and present it in easy-to-digest formats like dashboards, reports, charts, and graphs. As a result, businesses can harness this information to make informed decisions based on data-driven insights instead of gut feelings or guesswork.
Here's a look at the key usage of BI Tools:
Data Collection: BI tools can gather data from various sources, including spreadsheets, transactional databases, and social media.
Data Analysis: BI tools can perform statistical, predictive, and ad-hoc analysis of data.
Data Visualization: BI tools can create charts, graphs, maps, and other visualizations to represent data.
Reporting: BI tools can generate detailed and summary reports based on data analysis.
Collaboration: BI tools can allow sharing of insights and reports among team members.
Why Business Should Use Business Intelligence Tools?
1. Centralized Data
BI tools bring all your data together in one place, collecting information from various sources like CRM systems, ERP platforms, social media, and more. This consolidation lets you analyze issues, trends, and performance seamlessly, without juggling multiple systems.
2. Empowered Teams
With BI tools, data isn’t just for IT anymore. Employees across all levels—whether experienced managers or interns—can generate reports, analyze data, and gain insights without needing technical expertise.
3. Predictive Power
By analyzing past and present data, BI tools help forecast future trends and behaviors. Predictive analytics spot anomalies and allow you to act on changes quickly, keeping your business agile and ahead of disruptions.
4. Automated Reporting
Say goodbye to manual spreadsheets. BI tools generate automated reports tailored to your needs. Whether it’s tracking product sales or visualizing patient records, these tools can create interactive charts and graphs, ready for presentations in minutes.
5. Cost Reduction and Efficiency
BI tools streamline processes like data analysis, reporting, and forecasting, which saves time and reduces costs. Over half of BI users report increased revenue and reduced expenses thanks to improved accuracy and efficiency.
6. Real-Time Data Access
BI dashboards provide real-time insights, eliminating bottlenecks caused by waiting for IT or other teams to compile reports. Decision-makers can access updated, actionable information whenever they need it.
7. Improved Customer Experiences
BI tools analyze customer behavior, preferences, and satisfaction metrics, helping you deliver personalized experiences. For example, they can identify trends in purchase patterns or predict what customers might need next, enabling tailored recommendations, offers, or services that build loyalty and drive engagement.
8. Better Employee Engagement
Transparent dashboards and automated reports keep employees informed about progress and goals. This visibility fosters motivation and collaboration, leading to improved job satisfaction and stronger team performance.
9. Competitive Edge
BI tools analyze competitor data and market trends, giving you insights to identify gaps and act on opportunities before others do. Proactive strategies based on this information can set you apart in your industry.
10. Cross-Platform Access
Cloud-based BI tools are accessible from any device, anytime. This universal compatibility ensures decision-makers and teams can stay connected and informed, whether they’re at the office or on the go.
11. Streamlined Coordination
Using a single BI tool across your organization ensures everyone works with the same definitions, KPIs, and insights, reducing confusion and improving collaboration between departments.
12. Data-Driven Decisions
BI tools replace guesswork with facts. By analyzing real responses and performance data, you can fine-tune strategies, adapt to changes, and set initiatives that are more likely to succeed.
List of The Best Business Intelligence Tools in Malaysia
HeroDashboard is a powerful business intelligence dashboard designed to help businesses gain deeper insights into their data. It offers real-time data monitoring, allowing users to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics across various aspects of their operations. With an intuitive, user-friendly interface, HeroDashboard empowers teams to create customized reports and interactive visualizations that are easy to interpret and share.
Pros
✅Designed with intuitive interfaces, making it easy for non-technical users to navigate and analyze data without the need for advanced technical skills.
✅Offer scalable pricing plans that is accessible to businesses of all sizes, with options for smaller businesses to access powerful data analytics without breaking the budget.
✅Come with a wide range of features, such as real-time reporting, data visualization, and predictive analytics, which allow businesses to handle various analytics needs and gain deep insights from their data.
Cons:
❌As it comes with many advanced features. It can be overwhelming for new users.
Pricing:
Request a free demo to get the pricing.
QlikSense is a self-service BI tool that supports a wide range of analytics, from guided apps and dashboards to custom and embedded analytics. It offers a touchscreen-optimized interface and utilizes advanced AI and high-performance cloud platforms. Qlik’s associative exploration and Search & Conversational Analytics allow users to ask questions and uncover actionable insights, which helps increase data literacy for those new to BI tools.
Pros
✅Extensive range of data reporting and visualization features
✅AI advisor suggests data insights and connections
✅Fully native mobile app
Cons:
❌Expensive
❌Steep learning curve
Pricing:
Standard package price start at $825/month for 25 GB and 20 full users, billed annually.
Zoho Analytics is a powerful self-service BI tool that excels in reporting and data analysis. It offers automatic data syncing and scheduling, allowing users to easily integrate data from different sources and generate meaningful reports. The tool includes a built-in commenting section, making collaboration easy.
Pros
✅Offers a free on-premise plan
✅Equipped with built-in AI tools and third-party integrations
✅Relatively easy to navigate and learn
Cons:
❌Pretty outdated interface
Pricing:
Basic plan start at RM107.92/month for 2 users and 0.5 Million Rows. Free trial available.
Power BI is one of the most popular BI tools, offering robust analytics capabilities from Microsoft. With cloud or server-based options, it syncs seamlessly with various data sources like Facebook, Oracle, and more. It includes built-in AI, Excel integration, and real-time access monitoring.
Pros
✅Seamless integration with other Microsoft products
✅Tracks historical changes to data
Cons:
❌Relatively slow to load
Pricing:
It is free !!! However, to share reports, you will have to upgrade to pro or premium plan which cost USD $10 and $20 per user per month respectively.
Tableau is known for its advanced data visualization features and user-friendly interface. The platform allows users to drag and drop to explore data and create live visual analytics. Tableau integrates with many data sources, including Google Analytics, Box, and Microsoft Excel.
Pros
✅Extensive sharing options for collaboration
✅Dynamic visualization builder via workbooks
Cons:
❌Fewer automated/immediate insight features (natural language insights, data visualization generators, etc.) than other tools
Pricing:
From $15/user/month, billed annually, for the Viewer plan
Dundas BI is a flexible, browser-based BI tool that’s been around for 25 years. It provides drag-and-drop data exploration, interactive dashboards, and visual analytics. It is known for its simplicity and adaptability.
Pros
✅Easy to use with drag-and-drop features
✅Highly customizable
✅Strong reporting and dashboarding capabilities
Cons:
❌Lacks some advanced features compared to newer BI tools
❌Can be pricey for small businesses
Pricing:
Custom quotes are available on request with pricing examples starting around $1,100 yearly for 5 Viewer licenses. Enterprise licensing options are also available for larger deployments.
Sisense is a user-friendly BI tool that streamlines data processing with its in-chip technology, enabling faster analytics. It integrates with various data sources and allows for white-label analytics. Sisense offers drag-and-drop features and sharing options for teams.
Pros
✅It has macros to simplify data exploration, making it easier for non-technical users to work with SQL.
Cons:
❌Limited use for users without SQL knowledge; basic "Data Discovery" tool for non-technical users.
❌Not ideal for smaller companies or those with fewer data points; may overwhelm with irrelevant information.
Pricing:
💰Self-hosted with 35-40 users: $35,000 per year
💰Self-hosted with 15 full users and unlimited viewers: $60,000 per year
💰Cloud hosting with 50 users: $50,000 per year
Atlassian Analytics is an affordable and easy-to-use BI tool. It’s designed for quick setup and use, even for non-technical users, making it a great option for teams with limited coding experience.
Pros
✅Visual SQL: No SQL knowledge required for data analysis.
✅Simple, Fast Deployment: Quick setup; initial dashboards ready in a week.
✅Enables self-service data access, freeing up teams.
✅Intuitive interface for non-technical users.
Cons:
❌Lacks some advanced tools for hardcore data analysts.
Pricing:
💰Free: For small teams of up to 10 people, this plan includes unlimited project boards, backlogs, basic roadmaps, reporting, and insights.
💰Standard: This plan costs an estimated $7.75 per user, or $77.50 per month.
💰Premium: This plan costs an estimated $15.25 per user, or $152.50 per month.
💰Advantaged Pricing Plans: These plans are designed to gradually transition long-time customers to list prices.
💰Data Center: This plan is also known as "self-managed" and is offered as an annual subscription.
Google Data Studio is a free, web-based BI tool that lets users create interactive dashboards and reports. It integrates with Google services and various data sources to provide real-time data visualizations.
Pros
✅Easy Setup: Quick to start if you have a Google account.
✅Wide adoption by various users, offering strong community support.
Cons:
❌Restrictive third-party integrations due to Google’s ecosystem.
❌Difficulty formatting reports and customizing text or highlighting KPIs.
Pricing:
For self-service business intelligence - no charge.
Department level business intelligence with Google Cloud support and system administration - $9 per user per project per month.
Mode Analytics is a data science platform with some business intelligence features, primarily designed for data scientists and analysts. It’s less focused on business users and more on technical data analysis.
Pros
✅Deep data science capabilities for users with SQL knowledge.
✅Highly versatile, allowing data scientists to merge SQL queries with Python notebooks.
Cons:
❌Primarily for data scientists and advanced analysts, making it challenging for less technical users.
❌May require a learning curve for advanced features
Pricing:
To get the pricing, you will have to schedule a demo with Mode Analytics team.
Klipfolio is focused on data visualization through dashboards. It’s simple to use for creating and maintaining dashboards, but some users don’t consider it a full BI tool.
Pros
✅Excellent for real-time data visualization and dashboarding across multiple sources.
✅Wide variety of charts and views for customized KPIs, promoting team motivation and collaboration.
Cons:
❌Primarily a dashboarding tool, not a full-featured BI solution.
❌Challenging to set up without coding or Excel expertise, despite its user-friendly design.
Pricing:
Free 30 days access to all premium features. After trial ends, Professional Plan start with $60/month.
Metabase is an open-source, free BI tool ideal for answering business questions and conducting simple analytics. It’s intuitive but can leave advanced users wanting more.
Pros
✅Simple, user-friendly interface
✅Automatically generated dashboards to view data
Cons:
❌Relatively limited functionality and customization
Pricing:
Open source is free. The Starter Pack begins at $85/month, with an additional $5/month per user. Start with 5 users for free.
SAP Business Objects is a comprehensive BI software offering reporting, analysis, and data visualization. It focuses on areas like Customer Experience (CX) and ERP. It’s a robust platform, though costly for small businesses.
Pros
✅User-friendly
✅even for beginners
✅Strong AI and analytics capabilities
✅Touchscreen interface optimized for mobile devices
✅Associative search for uncovering insights
Cons:
❌Can become complex for larger datasets
❌May require a learning curve for advanced features
Pricing:
SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence only has 1 pricing plan - $14000/ per year.
MicroStrategy is an enterprise-level BI tool known for its powerful dashboards, data analytics, and AI capabilities. It integrates with multiple data sources and supports both desktop and mobile access.
Pros
✅Powerful dashboarding and analytics
✅High-speed data processing
✅AI-powered insights
Cons:
❌Complex setup and learning curve
Pricing:
💰Starting from: $600.00
💰Pricing model: One Time License
💰Free Trial: Available
SAS offers advanced predictive analytics and strong business intelligence capabilities. It provides high-level customization, APIs, and integration, especially for companies focused on predictive and text analytics.
Pros
✅Tons of automation opportunities that simplify insights and dashboard building
✅Very flexible and customizable dashboards
Cons:
❌Pretty outdated interface and relatively slow load times
❌High learning curve—the app has a lot of features to explore
Pricing:
Prices can start as low as $1500 per user (for select offerings with restrictions), as low as $10,000 for core capacity (for select offerings), and up to multiple millions for a full-blown implementation of our solutions.
Yellowfin BI combines data visualization, machine learning, and collaboration. It offers a no-code/low-code environment for building and sharing dashboards.
Pros
✅No-code/low-code development environment
✅Strong machine learning integration
✅Flexible accessibility options
Cons:
❌Not as robust as larger BI tools for complex analytics
❌Can be expensive for small businesses
Pricing:
You will have to schedule a demo appointment with them to get the latest pricing.
TIBCO Spotfire is known for its advanced analytics and data visualization capabilities. It enables users to quickly analyze complex data with real-time interactive dashboards.
Pros
✅Strong advanced analytics and visualization tools
✅Real-time data analysis
✅Easy-to-use interface
Cons:
❌The web-based version of Spotfire is different from the actual software, which can make it difficult to use.
❌The default functionality for calculations is limited, especially for cross tables.
Pricing:
TIBCO Spotfire is a yearly subscription-based software offering a 30-day free trial.
💰Single User License - $1,300/year
💰Spotfire Analyst License - $1,300/year
💰Additional Web Users - $300/year
💰Perpetual License Model - Requires consultation
💰Spotfire Professional Services - $1,480/day
Clear Analytics is an Excel-based BI tool that allows employees to create, automate, analyze, and visualize data using a familiar interface. It integrates well with Microsoft Power BI.
Pros
✅Excel-based, easy for non-technical users
✅Integration with Microsoft Power BI
✅Self-service BI capabilities
Cons:
❌Limited advanced analytics features
❌Can feel too basic for larger data needs
Pricing:
💰Team edition up to 8 users begins at $29/month.
💰Small business (25 users) begins at %59/month + $8 per user/month
Oracle BI is a comprehensive portfolio offering a wide range of BI features like dashboards, proactive intelligence, and data archiving. It’s ideal for companies dealing with large data volumes.
Pros
✅Robust analytics and data processing
✅Supports large data volumes
✅Proactive intelligence features
Cons:
❌Oracle BI doesn't have in-memory data.
❌Slow, especially when uploading large amounts of data.
Pricing:
Subscription based - price start at $150 USD / month
Domo is a cloud-based BI platform offering data integration, analysis, and visualization. It provides predictive analytics and works well for both small and large companies.
Pros
✅Huge library of data connectors and other integrations
✅Offers features for adding calculations to data and building workflows
✅Very fast load speeds
Cons:
❌Slightly cluttered and older-looking interface
Pricing:
Offer 30 days free trial and comes with "Standard, Enterprise, and Business Critical Plan". You will have call Domo team to get the price.
IBM Cognos Analytics is an AI-powered platform that supports the entire analytics cycle, from data discovery to sharing actionable insights. It helps identify hidden patterns using AI.
Pros
✅Powerful AI assistant
✅Collaboration capabilities through Microsoft Teams integration
Cons:
❌High learning curve
Pricing:
Also offer 30 days free trial with up to 5 users access.
💰Standard plan start at $10 / month for 1 user.
💰Premium plan start at $40 / month for 1 user.
How to Choose the Right Business Intelligence Tools?
With so many options available, choosing the best business intelligence tool for your needs can be challenging. Don't worry – here are some guidelines you can follow:
Ease of Use
Choose a tool that’s easy to use, especially if your team doesn’t have a lot of technical experience. Look for tools with intuitive interfaces and features that don’t require a steep learning curve. The easier it is to navigate, the more quickly your team can start making the most of the tool.
Automation Capabilities
Automation is key to saving time and reducing human error. Look for a tool that can automate routine tasks like report generation or data updates. This lets you focus on analysis and decision-making, rather than repetitive work.
Built-in AI
AI capabilities can take your data analysis to the next level. Choose a tool that uses AI to uncover trends, provide predictive insights, or even recommend actions based on your data. This can help you make smarter, data-driven decisions faster.
Data Management
Effective data management is crucial. Look for a tool that helps you organize, clean, and categorize your data efficiently. A tool with solid data management features ensures that you have accurate, reliable data to work with.
Integrations
Your business likely uses a variety of systems, from CRMs to social media platforms to spreadsheets. Make sure the BI tool you choose can integrate smoothly with all these platforms, so you can pull data from multiple sources into one place without a hassle.
Security
Data security is non-negotiable. Choose a tool that offers strong security features, like encryption, user access control, and regular security updates. This ensures your business data is protected from unauthorized access or potential breaches.
Pricing Structure
Look for a pricing structure that suits your budget and provides flexibility as your business grows. Some tools charge per user, while others charge based on features or data volume. Make sure you understand the costs upfront and how the tool’s pricing scales with your needs.
Training and Customer Support
Good customer support is essential, especially when you’re starting to use a new tool. Check if the BI tool provides helpful training resources, like tutorials or webinars, and reliable customer service that can assist with issues when they arise.
Free Trial
Many BI tools offer free trials. Take advantage of this to test out the tool before committing. This gives you a chance to see if it fits your needs, try out the features, and evaluate how well it works with your team’s workflows.
Let BI Software do the Hard Work
Business Intelligence Tools are very versatile and provide you with a lot of useful information regarding your business’ performance and where it’s headed. All of the tools from the list is worth exploring and we encourage you try out as many as you can. Eventually, you will find one the best suit your business needs. "Small tip: you can start trying with tool that offer free trial first."
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