Looker vs Power BI

The BI platform that makes data modeling feel like a full-time job, but at least the dashboards look pretty meets excel's smarter cousin that makes data pretty, but good luck escaping microsoft's ecosystem. Here's our take.

Looker

Nice Pick

The BI platform that makes data modeling feel like a full-time job, but at least the dashboards look pretty.

Pros

• Powerful LookML modeling language for reusable, version-controlled data definitions
• Seamless integration with modern data warehouses like BigQuery and Snowflake
• Self-service analytics that empowers non-technical users to build custom reports

Cons

• Steep learning curve for LookML, requiring dedicated data engineers or analysts
• Pricing can be prohibitive for small teams, with enterprise-focused costs

Power BI

Excel's smarter cousin that makes data pretty, but good luck escaping Microsoft's ecosystem.

Pros

• Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure
• Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick visualizations
• Powerful DAX language for complex calculations
• Affordable pricing with a robust free tier

Cons

• Performance can lag with large datasets
• Limited customization compared to open-source alternatives

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Looker is a hosting & deployment while Power BI is a devtools. We picked Looker based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Looker wins

Based on overall popularity. Looker is more widely used, but Power BI excels in its own space.