10 Tableau Alternatives & Competitors for Business Intelligence in 2025

When it comes to organizing and visualizing data, many businesses turn to Tableau—a business intelligence (BI) tool known for its enterprise-level data analytics capabilities. Tableau can handle large data sets and provide real-time analytics for data-driven companies, making it a popular choice across industries.

However, BI tools like Tableau have certain constraints. Its high price and steep learning curve mean it’s not the ideal choice for everyone, leading many businesses to seek alternatives that offer similar capabilities with fewer challenges. Let’s explore what Tableau is, why you may want to consider an alternative, and some of the top competing BI solutions to help you find the best fit for your needs in 2025.

What is Tableau?

Tableau is a visual analytics platform with a suite of products, including desktop, online, server, and reader tools. Though the brand offers a free online option called Tableau Public, the paid version is far more robust and best suited for enterprise business applications.

Let’s take a brief look at the Tableau product lineup:

• Tableau Desktop: A data visualization and analysis tool that connects to data sources and allows users to create interactive dashboards and reports.
• Tableau Cloud: A cloud-based version of Tableau that enables sharing and collaboration on dashboards and analytics without needing on-premises infrastructure.
• Tableau Server: An on-premise solution for hosting, sharing, and managing Tableau dashboards and data.
• Tableau Prep: A data preparation tool for combining, cleaning, and reshaping data from multiple sources before analyzing in Tableau.
• Note that Tableau Desktop is purely a visualization tool, and additional products are needed to support data preparation and hosting.

Tableau was acquired by Salesforce in 2019, and the tool integrates with Salesforce CRM, Salesforce CDP, and other tools in the Salesforce suite of products. Most users appreciate the tool’s ability to connect to other data sources and create quick, visually engaging dashboards, charts, maps, and other graphics.

Here are some of Tableau’s key features:

• AI-driven analytics: Calculate and visualize data by writing conversational prompts in Tableau Agent. Get automated analytics in plain language with Tableau Pulse.
• Embedded analytics: Integrate Tableau with existing technologies for custom, self-service data analytics.
• CRM analytics: Get native analytics within Salesforce and use partner apps like Atrium, Keyrus, and Slalom.
• Data management: Access a data analytics catalog, deep prep conductor, and other data governance and security tools.
• Data visualization: Quickly build a variety of visuals, such as graphs, charts, and maps with drag-and-drop visualization features and no-code, templated formats.
• Data stories: Add automated plain-language explanations to dashboards and streamline workflows.
• Workbook optimizer: Compare design characteristics and best practices to see how workbook design affects performance.

Tableau supports connectors for many commonly used business systems, but many advanced data science tools are only available in the desktop version. These features often require training courses on the product to understand how to utilize them and maximize return on investment.

Why consider an alternative to Tableau?

There are many reasons Tableau is consistently mentioned in industry reports about business intelligence and analytics. It supports engaging data visualizations, has powerful computation features, and delivers meaningful insights. But many users complain about its high cost of ownership, time-consuming setup, and limited formatting options. Others find it challenging to learn or become frustrated with performance limitations.

Still, the world of business intelligence is evolving quickly, and many alternatives have emerged that offer a more intuitive, cost-effective user experience. Here are some of the reasons you may want to explore alternatives to Tableau:

• Budget constraints: Tableau is one of the more expensive BI tools on the market, pricing out smaller businesses or organizations seeking to keep costs low. Licenses for Tableau Desktop, Server, or Tableau Online can add up quickly, especially when scaling across larger teams.
• Steep learning curve: Many beginners or non-technical users often struggle learning with Tableau’s complex interface and scripting requirements, particularly when navigating advanced analytics or data preparation.
• Limited customization: Organizations that require deeply customized embedded analytics may find Tableau’s options overly restrictive.
• Requires other tools: Tableau often requires clean, pre-processed data to deliver its best performance, meaning users must invest in additional ETL tools.
• Underwhelming performance: While Tableau can handle large datasets, many users experience slowdowns when working with extremely complex datasets or when creating customized, ad hoc reports.

Tableau alternatives could give you opportunities for enhanced decision-making and more precise, data-driven insights. By aligning tools with specific business requirements, you may improve workflow efficiency and productivity. For example, teams with less technical expertise could benefit from features like pre-built templates, faster processing times, and more extensive integrations.

You can also significantly cut costs by adopting alternative BI tools that combine multiple functionalities into a single platform. Tableau Desktop is exclusively for data visualization, while other BI tools integrate data preparation, visualization, and governance. This route eliminates the need for multiple software subscriptions.

What to look for in a Tableau alternative

When considering the right BI tool, it’s important to consider performance, features, cost, and how the tool will fit into the rest of your tech stack. The ideal tool should provide scalability, easy integration, and dedicated support, along with features to support evolving business needs.

Other self-service BI tools make it easier for non-technical users to intuitively understand basic features. Likewise, some solutions combine capabilities, offering a seamless user experience for data scientists and beginners alike.

Here are some of the most important features to look for in a Tableau alternative:

• Enterprise-grade security and compliance: Seek out a platform with strict security standards, such as data encryption, role-based access control, and compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2.
• Scalability for business growth: Make sure your BI tool can handle increasing data volumes, user loads, and complexity without significant slowdowns or stalls in performance.
• Seamless integration: Choose a tool that integrates easily with existing databases, cloud platforms, and third-party applications. Robust API support and connectors are vital for ensuring smooth data flow.
• Dedicated customer support and training: Find a solution that fosters quick onboarding and easy adoption. The best tools provide live support, comprehensive documentation, and user training programs.
• Advanced analytics and AI: Get quicker, deeper insights with features like predictive analytics, automated insights, and natural language queries.

Best alternatives & competitors to Tableau in 2025

Here are ten noteworthy Tableau alternatives to consider in 2025. Weigh the pros and cons to discover the best fit for your unique needs.

1. Domo

Domo is a full-service, end-to-end BI solution that offers data integration, transformation, visualization, and more. It includes tools for creating custom and ad-hoc dashboards, with an intuitive interface and extensive chart library. Domo is built for the cloud, meaning queries on large datasets can be completed in seconds. Intelligent applications support custom no-code and low-code application building.

Key features

• Mobile app: Access all features in the flexible, all-device mobile app, including data visualizations, report creation, and more.
• Self-service BI: Utilize internal data science tools for advanced analysis — no technical background required.
• Fast data processing: Get data analysis in seconds, with just a few clicks and fewer steps than other BI tools.
• Integration capabilities: Connect with numerous applications, data sources, and tools.
• Education and training: Get support from an active user community, Domo University tutorials, and Domo Knowledge Base.

2. Sisense

Sisense is a scalable solution with comprehensive business intelligence capabilities. It can handle large data sets in tasks like data preparation, analysis, and visualization. The tool comes with proprietary in-chip technology (to speed up processing), embedded analytics, and built-in AI. Users can create custom and white-label dashboards, visualizations, and reports using drag-and-drop functionality. Sisense also includes collaboration tools, allowing for sharing, setting alerts, and more.

Key features

• Custom app building: Use Sisense APIs and SDKs for app customization and integrated analytics.
• Sisense Cloud: Host in your environment, with access to technical teams and Sisense Information Security program.
• Embedded analytics: Execute queries and render custom data visualizations within your application.
• Data connectivity: Leverage 400+ connectors and a flexible data engine for real-time insights and consolidated reporting.
• Data security: Ensure compliance and security thanks to certifications like SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701.

3. Power BI

Microsoft’s Power BI allows users to connect, transform, and visualize data from a wide range of sources, including cloud-based services, Excel, APIs, and more. It integrates with other Microsoft tools like Azure, Copilot, and Fabric, making it a good option for those already using the Microsoft ecosystem. Pricing ranges from free to enterprise rates, with solutions for organizations of all sizes. Power BI also includes Power Query, a tool for cleaning, shaping, and enriching data.

Key features

• AI-powered insights: Uncover trends, generate insights, and perform advanced analytics with built-in AI tools like natural language query.
• Enterprise-grade security: Get peace of mind with row-level security and integration with Azure Active Directory, a tool for secure access management.
• Training courses: Learn new skills and get support from Microsoft training courses.
• Report sharing: Embed and share reports in other Microsoft tools, such as Teams, PowerPoint, or Excel.
• Microsoft Fabric integration: Access Power BI reports and other workloads for free within Microsoft Fabric.

4. Qlik

Qlik provides self-service analytics and data discovery tools with an emphasis on data insights. Its associative engine allows users to explore data interactively without the constraints of predefined data paths. AI-driven features enable natural language queries, predictive analytics, and automated insights, while embedded analytics come with white-label customization options. Qlik supports collaboration through shared workspaces and annotations.

Key features

• Real-time data integration: Improve data availability and agility without the need for skilled developers.
• Automated data transformation: Create engaging data models and get continuous refinement
• Data warehouse automation: Streamline the data warehouse cycle with automated tools.
• Data lake creation: Ingest and update data with a zero-code, model-driven approach.
• Data sources and connectors: Connect and combine data from industry-leading applications, including AWS, MySQL, Oracle, and Azure.

5. Yellowfin

With options that run in the cloud or on-premises, Yellowfin is a flexible BI solution built for enterprise analytics and embedded analytics. It also supports the building of custom analytical applications. For optimal results, the solution is best paired with a fast, dedicated reporting database meant for high-speed analytics. Yellowfin’s ETL module enables data extraction and transformation, whether blending data from multiple sources or converting data into visualizations.

Key features

• Meta-data modeling: Use drag-and-drop features to analyze data and get recommendations on next steps.
• Data discovery: Use machine learning to interpret data with AI-driven insights.
• Yellowfin Stories: Create long-form narratives with data visualizations, text, images, and videos.
• Mobile access: Install the Yellowfin app to stay updated while on the go.
• Automated business monitoring: Set up threshold alerts and Yellowfin Signals, which uses automation and AI to trawl data for statistically significant changes.

6. Looker Studio

Google’s Looker Studio enables the creation of shareable, customizable charts and graphs. It connects with more than 800 data sources and offers smooth integration with Google’s suite of tools and services, such as Google Cloud, Sheets, Google Analytics, and BigQuery. The Looker Studio’s self-service solution is free, while Looker Studio Pro is a cost-effective option.

Key features

• Interactive dashboards: Build customizable dashboards with dynamic filtering, drill-downs, and real-time updates.
• Collaboration and sharing: Allow teams to co-edit reports and easily send to stakeholders via link or email.
• Visualization library: Choose from predesigned chart and graph templates, with the option to integrate third-party visuals.
• Scheduled reporting: Set up automated report delivery without the need for manual intervention.
• Report embedding: Easily add Looker Studio reports to any web page or intranet.

7. Databox

Databox is a BI tool for tracking performance, visualizing data, and sharing custom presentations. Forecasting tools allow users to anticipate future performance or compare results with historical data, while pre-built, one-click templates allow for simple data modeling. Databox integrates with more than 100 software tools, syncs with APIs, and connects with company databases. Users can also upload spreadsheets to track custom metrics.

Key features

• Data reports: Build, share, and customize reports, then archive or add notes for future reference.
• Benchmark data: Browse data for business metrics like size, revenue, industry, or company type.
• Goal setting: Define goals for any metric or KPI, then track progress using charts and other visualizations.
• Custom dashboards: Add company colors and logos or create custom client dashboards.
• Data forecasting: Use predictive analytics to set accurate goals and assess the reliability of past forecasts.

8. SAP Data Intelligence Cloud

Part of the SAP ecosystem, SAP Data Intelligence Cloud offers data integration, orchestration, and management. The tool integrates with other SAP solutions like SAP HANA and SAP Analytics Cloud and also supports non-SAP data sources, including structured, unstructured, on-prem, and cloud-based systems. It enables batch and real-time processing with built-in tools like machine learning and AI.

Key features

• Governance and compliance: Get security with role-based access control, audit trails, and other compliance features.
• Hybrid and multi-cloud support: Easily manage data across multiple environments.
• Machine learning: Train and deploy ML models for predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and more.
• Centralized rules and ratings: Create a glossary with business rules and ratings.

9. Mode

Mode is a fully integrated suite of data analytics tools. The solution was built for business and data teams to collaborate using ad hoc analysis, self-serve reporting, and advanced analytics. Mode connects to most major data warehouses, including Azure, BigQuery, Hive, and MySQL. Users can create custom data apps, interactive dashboards, and data visuals.

Key features

• SQL Editor: Explore data and iterate through multiple queries to understand raw data.
• Visual explorer: Create bar charts, line graphs, tables, and more for data exploration and storytelling.
• Integrated notebooks: Write SQL and analyze data with predictive modeling and forecasting in Python.
• Reports and dashboards: Build and reuse custom formulas on existing query results.
• Custom data apps: Apply complete HTML customization to meet specific business requirements.

10. ThoughtSpot

ThoughtSpot is a BI tool built for search and non-technical users, with an AI-guided analytics experience that offers drill downs and free-form data exploration. The tool enables live data access without needed data aggregation and integrates with Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks, and other popular tools. It also supports ad hoc report creation and automated anomaly detection.

Key features

• Liveboards: Create interactive dashboards from cloud data, then pin, rearrange, and share visuals.
• Natural language search: Use natural language query to analyze data and discover insights.
• Augmented analytics: Monitor business metrics, get automatic anomaly alerts, or set custom alerts.
• Data importing: Import metadata information related to tables and columns from your data catalog.

Explore Tableau alternatives with Domo

Tableau is a strong solution for data visualization, but there are alternative options that may be better for addressing your unique business challenges. Many BI tools offer lower costs, unique capabilities, and a more user-friendly experience.

If you’re looking for an enterprise BI platform that delivers faster insight, intuitive features, and intelligent app-building, consider Domo. Built from the ground up for the cloud, Domo is a flexible, mobile-friendly solution that supports users from all different backgrounds. Domo has wide-ranging integration capabilities that allow for data connection across countless tools — even Tableau.

Try Domo for yourself today—it’s completely free.