Power BI logo

Power BI

by Microsoft · Since 2015
No reviews yet
ActiveAvailable globallyCloudOn-premise
Quick facts
VendorMicrosoft
Year launched2015
StatusActive
LocationRedmond, Washington, USA
Countries servedGlobal
Languages10
Integrations14+
Free tierN/A
Free trialN/A
Contact salesYES

About Power BI

Power BI is a business intelligence software from Microsoft that helps users visualize data into the applications users use every day. It combines features like Artificial Intelligence (AI), a Guided Tour for onboarding, and reliable Security & Governance so users can easily analyze and share insights across the organization. Power BI supports a data-driven culture with self-service analytics, enabling users to create interactive reports and dashboards. It integrates smoothly with Microsoft 365, improving productivity and collaboration. Key capabilities: AI integration Guided Tours Security measures Data visualization Report sharing Best for: organizations of all sizes that need to analyze and visualize data effectively.

Microsoft Power BI is a powerful and versatile business intelligence platform that helps organizations of all sizes turn raw data into impactful insights. As part of Microsoft’s Power Platform, it provides tools for connecting to hundreds of data sources, transforming and modeling data, and creating interactive dashboards and reports that drive data‑driven decision‑making. Its free Desktop app makes building reports accessible to beginners, while cloud services and advanced analytics suit enterprise needs. One of Power BI’s biggest strengths is its integration with the broader Microsoft ecosystem — including Azure, Microsoft 365 apps like Excel and Teams, and Dynamics 365 — enabling seamless workflows and collaboration across teams. AI capabilities, such as Copilot and natural language query, help both technical and non‑technical users uncover insights faster. While its pricing tiers can be complex and require appropriate licensing for certain features, the platform remains a leader in the BI space due to its robust features, extensive connector support, and global community.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Turns complex data into interactive visuals that are easy to understand and share.
  • Integrates seamlessly with Excel, SharePoint, and Microsoft 365 for easy connectivity.
  • Offers powerful analytics and AI-driven insights for informed business decisions.
  • Generates dynamic dashboards and reports with minimal training required.
  • Customizable visuals and layouts let teams tailor reports to their business needs.
Cons
  • Customizing charts is limited compared to Excel or Tableau for advanced users.
  • DAX formulas and data modeling require learning and experience to implement.
  • Large datasets can slow performance and delay real-time updates.
  • Advanced features require Power BI Pro or Premium licenses to access fully.
  • Complex interface may confuse new users without prior training or experience.

Features

Key features

Connects to 100+ data sources

Enables seamless connection to databases, cloud services, and files for analysis.

Interactive dashboards

Allows users to build dynamic, visually rich dashboards that update in real time.

AI-powered insights

Uses Copilot and AI tools to generate automated data insights and predictions.

Natural language query

Lets users ask questions in plain language to get visualized answers quickly.

Power BI Desktop app

Provides a free tool for creating detailed reports with drag-and-drop functionality.

Publish and share reports

Enables cloud-based distribution of reports for collaboration across teams.

Power BI Embedded

Allows embedding interactive reports directly into custom applications for users.

Additional features

Data transformation & modeling

Offers Power Query to clean, transform, and model datasets efficiently.

Custom visuals marketplace

Access to hundreds of pre-built and custom visuals to enhance reports.

Scheduled data refresh

Automates updates to dashboards and reports at specified intervals.

Real-time dashboards

Supports streaming data to create dashboards that reflect live metrics.

Role-based access control

Provides security by managing who can view and edit reports.

Paginated and mobile reports

Creates pixel-perfect reports for printing and optimized mobile viewing.

Integration with Microsoft 365

Works seamlessly with Teams, Excel, SharePoint, and Outlook.

Integration with Azure services

Connects to Azure SQL, Data Lake, Synapse, and other cloud services.

Integration with Dynamics 365

Embeds analytics and AI-driven insights directly in business apps.

Third-party connectors

Supports Salesforce, Google Analytics, and other popular data sources.

Pricing

Free trial
Free version
Request a quote
Promo Offer

Monthly plans

Free
USD 14/mo
billed monthly

Countries & Languages

Global
Countries served
10
Interface languages
10
Billing currencies

Interface languages

EnglishSpanishFrenchGermanPortugueseChineseJapaneseKoreanItalianRussian

Billing currencies

🇺🇸USD🇪🇺EUR🇬🇧GBP🇦🇺AUD🇨🇦CAD🇯🇵JPY🇮🇳INR🇳🇬NGN🇨🇳CNY🇲🇽MXN

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