Power BI vs Tableau: Which is Better in 2024?

In this era of powerful data visualization and fruitful business intelligence, Power BI and Tableau are two of the most popular and competitive platforms available in the market. As organizations focus on data-driven decision-making, choosing the right tool can impact the effectiveness of your teams in analyzing, visualizing, and sharing insights.  

In this blog, we have discussed a detailed comparison of Power BI vs. Tableau, covering everything that you need to know to make an informed choice. 

What is Power BI?

Power BI is developed by Microsoft in 2015. It is a very powerful tool for data visualization and business intelligence. It has grown rapidly and seamlessly integrated with other products of the Microsoft ecosystem, including Microsoft Dynamics 365. Power BI is highly popular for its user-friendly interface, affordability, and extensive data connectors. Power BI is a newer yet a strong competitor of Tableau. 

Robust Power BI Features

• Filters: The users can easily apply parameters in Power Query. This helps them to filter datasets into smaller parts. The users can filter data at multiple levels. This includes page, report, as well as, visual filters.
  

• Report Automation: Power BI renders auto-refresh and manual refresh options. This helps the users to get access to the latest, real-time data in reports. Users can also define automatic refresh by using ‘Scheduled Automatic Refresh’ for datasets.
  

• Data Manipulation: Power BI has a formula language called DAX functions. They are primarily predefined codes that can perform analytics on data. 
  

• Natural-language query: Power BI offers a unique feature called ‘Q&A.’ Here, the users can ask questions in the natural language and receive visuals for their questions.
  

• Online Analytical Processing (OLAP): With the Integration of OLAP with Power BI, users can have multi-dimensional layers of data. This can correspond to the different segments of information. Hence, users can have a holistic view of data.
  

• Trend indicators: Power BI’s trend indicator feature reflects the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). It enables users to analyze any changes, chances of opportunities, and downfalls in business/market information.
  

• Real-time dashboards: The users get access to the latest and updated real-time data on dashboards. This real-time dashboard will update automatically as soon as the new data appears in the dataset. 

Power BI – A Quick Glance at the Pros and Cons

What is Tableau?

Tableau was founded in 2003 and later acquired by Salesforce in 2019. It is a well-known BI tool that offers stunning visualizations. It has the ability to manage large datasets. It is specifically developed for users you need advanced analytics features with robust customization options. It allows businesses to simplify their process of data analysis. It has over 1 million members and 500+ user groups across the globe.  

Powerful Tableau Features

• Nested sorting: Nested sorting enables users to select the field value used to identify the sort order.
  
• Data Highlighter: Tableau showcases specific fields or groups. This allows users to explore data interactively when viewing huge data sets.
  
• Workbook Formatting: With this feature, users can easily change themes, fonts, and other format settings. This can be done at the workbook level instead of doing it at the worksheet level.
  
• Custom Territories: Users craft custom territories by simply grouping locations together on the map. They can even use built-in territories such as area codes or countries.
  
• Data blending: The data blending feature enables the user to integrate data from multiple sources. Users can easily analyze related data from different sources in a single view.
  
• Data collaboration and data notifications: Tableau allows users to easily collaborate with their team members. They can simply store data on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid environment.
  
• Toggle view and drag-and-drop: Tableau is a user-friendly tool that allows its users to filter data points. This can be done with a single click or by using drag and drop fields to view the data.
  
• Dashboard commenting: Users can add comments in real-time to Tableau dashboards. This can help improve communication and performance.

Tableau – A Quick Glance at the Pros and Cons

The Ultimate Tableau VS Power BI Comparision

Power BI VS Tableau Comparision

1. Data Visualization

Tableau 

Tableau is widely known for its data visualization features. It enables users to develop custom interactive dashboards that are compatible with other devices. Tableau also renders pre-installed information on geographical data like postal codes, cities, administrative boundaries, etc. It also offers different kinds of maps like Choropleth maps, Heat maps, Flow maps, and Point distribution maps. 

Power BI 

On the other hand, Power BI renders data visualization with the help of various data points. The easy drag-and-drop feature is a great option, especially for non-technical users. Its visualizations include Bar/Stacked/Cluster charts, Line charts, Area charts, Funnel charts, and Ribbon charts. It offers various visualization options ranging from simple charts like Pie charts or Bar charts to critical ones like Gantt charts, Bullet charts, boxplots, etc. 

2. Products

Power BI 

It is a part of the Microsoft Business Intelligence MSBI Suite. It offers a range of products and services like: 

• Power BI Desktop: Offers a free visualization and reporting tool. 
• Power BI Service: It is a cloud-based service to publish and share reports and dashboards. It comes in three license versions -Free, Pro, and Premium. 
• Power BI Pro: It is a self-service BI tool in the cloud. 
• Power BI Premium: It is a cloud-based and AI integrated advanced analytics and data visualization service. 
• Power BI Mobile: Simply access Power BI dashboards anytime, anywhere with this intuitive mobile app. 
• Power BI Report Server: It is an n-premise enterprise reporting server available in two licenses: Power BI Premium and SQL Server Enterprise Edition 
• Microsoft Fabric: It is a SaaS platform for self-service analytics. It syncs all the data engineering, data warehousing, and security parts, on a unified cloud portal. 

Tableau

• Tableau Server: It is an enterprise-level online platform that helps to handle data and data sources. 
• Tableau Public: It is a free platform that helps to develop and publicly share data reports as well as visualizations. 
• Tableau Online/Cloud: It is a fully-hosted, cloud-based, analytics platform. It helps to easily share data. 
• Tableau Desktop: Just like Power BI Pro, it is a powerful self-service business analytics and data visualization tool. 
• Tableau Prep: It is a visual tool for smoothly handling data. 
• Tableau Reader: It is a free desktop app where the users can view and interact with data visualizations. 
• Tableau Mobile: It is an app for Tableau Online and Tableau Server. The users can access their Tableau in a single click.

3. Cost

In the Power BI VS Tableau Cost battle, Tableau is definitely the more expensive one. Tableau’s Pro version’s yearly subscription is 10x more than the Power BI Pro version’s yearly subscription. 

For organizations who want cost friendly option or are already using Microsoft’s suite, Power BI must be considered. Even startups or SMEs can consider Power BI. They can upgrade to Tableau eventually when their business grows. 

4. Security

Power BI

Power BI uses Azure SQL database and Azure BLOB storage to store and manage data storage security. It also offers RLS (row-level security) for role-based data access. Along with it, it uses Azure Active Directory for accurate user authentication. It also uses TLS (Transport Layer Security) for network communication.

Tableau

In Tableau, users can configure high-end data security, proper authentication, and top-notch network security. Tableau offers pre-set user roles like: 

•  Viewer 
• Interactor 
• Editor 

Publisher can set up access permissions for these roles. Admins can also get RLS options. It also recommends SSL and HTTPS configurations for any kind of network communication between client-Tableau Server and Tableau Server-database. 

5. Dashboards

Power BI

Power BI offers modern features that can transform raw data into intuitive, visually appealing dashboards. It enables users to see data insights without the need for any prior experience. Also, Power BI’s dashboards are very simple and easy to use.  

Power BI Dashboard

Tableau

Tableau offers powerful features like Power BI. But, when compared to Power BI, various features are hidden behind the menus. Tableau is also popular for its visually stunning dashboards. It offers a quick and easy drag and drop feature to create dashboards.

Tableau Dashboard 

Conclusion

While choosing the best between Power BI and Tableau, the final decision mostly depends on the unique needs and requirements of your organization. Power BI is best-fitted for businesses already using Microsoft products. It renders an affordable and user-friendly solution with powerful AI and automation capabilities. On the other hand, Tableau is a great choice for experienced and skilled data professionals who need advanced analytics and deep visual customization but for a higher price.

Whether you prioritize ease of use, budget, or advanced data handling capabilities, both Power BI and Tableau are exceptional tools in the business intelligence market. Can you choose the best one? A reliable IT consultant company can help you choose the best solution for your firm.