In the last decade, data has become one of the most valuable assets available. Data collection and interpretation can lead to myriad benefits for businesses including improved customer experience, targeted marketing, customer retention and loyalty, product development, and an overall competitive advantage. To make data collection and analysis more efficient, many organizations have turned to business intelligence and data visualization solutions.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the seven top small business dashboard solutions of 2023.
- Sisense: Best for data-driven decision making
- Zoho Analytics: Best on a budget
- Tableau: Best for data visualization
- Domo: Best for real-time data monitoring
- Microsoft Power BI: Best for integration
- Looker: Best for data exploration
- Qlik Sense: Best for self-service data analysis
Sisense is an all-in-one business intelligence platform that aims to simplify complex data analytics for users with varying levels of technical expertise. It offers an intuitive interface and powerful features that enable businesses to create interactive dashboards and visually appealing reports. The platform is designed to be user-friendly and scalable, making it an excellent choice for small businesses looking to harness the power of data-driven decision-making.
Elasticube technology processes data and handles large data sets.
Sisense BloX can be used to create custom interactive dashboards with advanced visualizations.
AI-driven insights and recommendations enable proactive decision-making.
Sisense Fusion embeds analytics into applications and workflows.
Pros
- User-friendly interface suitable for non-technical users
- Scalable solution for growing businesses
- Robust data integration capabilities with a wide range of sources
- Strong customer support and active user community
Cons
- Higher cost compared to some competitors
- Limited pre-built templates for specific industries
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Occasional performance issues with large data sets
Free trial available
$25,000+/year
Sisense stands out for its ability to make complex data analytics accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. Its unique features, such as the Elasticube technology and Sisense BloX, allow users to create interactive dashboards and visually appealing reports with ease. Furthermore, the platform’s AI-driven insights and recommendations empower businesses to make proactive decisions based on data. With its robust data integration capabilities and strong customer support, Sisense is well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of small businesses.
Zoho Analytics is a self-service business intelligence and data visualization tool designed specifically with small businesses in mind. The platform offers a cost-effective solution with powerful features that allow businesses to create custom visualizations and reports. With its affordability and ease of use, Zoho Analytics is an excellent option for budget-conscious small businesses seeking a powerful yet accessible data analytics tool.
- Drag-and-drop report builder for creating custom visualizations
- Extensive library of pre-built templates and industry-specific KPIs
- Data blending capabilities for combining data from multiple sources
- Zoho DataPrep for data cleansing and transformation
Pros
- Affordable pricing plans for small businesses
- User-friendly interface with minimal learning curve
- Wide range of data connectors and integration options
- Extensive customization options for reports and dashboards
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics capabilities compared to some competitors
- Occasional performance issues with large data sets
- Customer support response times can be slow
- Some users report a lack of in-depth documentation for advanced features
Free trial available
Basic: $24/2 users/month
Standard: $48/5 users/month
Premium: $115/15 users/month
Enterprise: $455/50 users/month
Zoho Analytics is an excellent choice for small businesses that need a powerful yet affordable data analytics solution. The platform’s drag-and-drop report builder and extensive library of pre-built templates make it easy for users to create custom visualizations and reports. Its data blending capabilities and integration options enable businesses to analyze data from multiple sources, providing comprehensive insights.
Users have praised Zoho Analytics for its affordability and ease of use. With its user-friendly interface and extensive customization options, Zoho Analytics is well-suited to small businesses looking to harness the power of data analytics without breaking the bank.
Tableau is a widely recognized business intelligence and data visualization platform known for its best-in-class data visualization capabilities. It enables users to create interactive visualizations that bring data to life, making it easier to understand and share insights. Tableau is a popular choice for small businesses that prioritize data visualization and require an easy-to-use tool to present complex data in a visually appealing manner.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for creating custom visualizations
- Extensive library of visualization types and options
- Tableau Public for sharing visualizations with a larger audience
- Tableau Data Engine for fast and efficient data processing
Pros
- Best-in-class data visualization capabilities
- User-friendly interface suitable for non-technical users
- Wide range of data connectors and integration options
- Active user community and extensive learning resources
Cons
- Higher cost compared to some competitors
- Limited advanced analytics capabilities compared to some competitors
- Occasional performance issues with large data sets
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
Free trial available
Tableau Viewer: $15/user/month
Tableau Explorer: $40/user/month
Tableau Creator: $70/user/month
Tableau’s data visualization capabilities catapult the platform to one of the top contenders on this list. The platform’s user-friendly drag-and-drop interface allows users to easily create custom visualizations without needing advanced coding or scripting skills.
In addition, Tableau offers a wide range of data connectors and integration options, making it versatile and adaptable to various business requirements. The active Tableau user community and extensive learning resources provide valuable support for users of all skill levels, further contributing to its appeal for small businesses prioritizing data visualization.
Domo’s real-time data monitoring capabilities make it a top choice for businesses that need to stay agile and make quick decisions based on up-to-date information. For example, a small retail business can utilize Domo to track inventory levels and sales data in real time, allowing them to quickly identify trends and make informed decisions about reordering products or adjusting pricing strategies.
Features such as its unique library of pre-built connectors and the Domo Appstore enable seamless data integration and access to third-party applications and data sources.
- Real-time data monitoring and alerts for proactive decision making
- Library of pre-built connectors for seamless data integration
- Domo Appstore for accessing third-party applications and data sources
- Drag-and-drop interface for creating custom visualizations and dashboards
Pros
- Real-time data monitoring and alert capabilities
- User-friendly interface
- Wide range of data connectors and integration options
- Scalable solution for growing businesses
Cons
- Higher cost compared to competitors
- Limited pre-built templates for specific industries
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Users have reported slow customer service response times
Free trial available
Standard: $83/user/month Professional: $160 USD user/month Enterprise: $190 USD user/month
Domo has made a name for itself for its impressive real-time monitoring capabilities, making it an attractive option for small businesses looking to pivot strategies and implement quick changes. In addition, the platform’s wide range of data connectors and integration options allows users to bring data together from multiple sources.
Like its competitors, Domo offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface so non-coders can jump into the data visualization aspects of the dashboard virtually immediately. The scalability options also make it suitable for small businesses that anticipate growth, ensuring their business intelligence needs will be met as they expand.
Microsoft Power BI is a versatile business intelligence and data visualization platform that excels in seamless integration with various data sources and Microsoft products. As a small business utilizing the Microsoft ecosystem, Power BI offers a familiar and cohesive experience, enabling users to easily connect and analyze data from tools like Excel, SharePoint, and Dynamics 365.
Its robust integration capabilities ensure that businesses can access and analyze data from multiple sources, providing comprehensive insights for informed decision-making. Power BI’s user-friendly interface and powerful features make it a top choice for small businesses seeking an efficient and integrated solution for their data analysis needs.
- Seamless integration with Microsoft products, such as Excel and Dynamics 365
- Power Query for data extraction and transformation
- Power Automate for automating workflows and processes
- AI-driven insights and recommendations
Pros
- Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem
- User-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality
- Data connectors and integration options
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics capabilities
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Performance issues with large data sets
- Limited customization and visualization options
Free trial available
Power BI Pro: $9.99/user/month
Power BI Premium: $20/user/month OR $4,995/capacity/month
Power BI has the privilege of being compatible with the larger Microsoft ecosystem, which gives the platform a significant advantage over competitors. Apart from this, however, it stands on its own merits as a viable BI software for small businesses for several reasons.
The platform offers a range of collaboration features, such as sharing dashboards and reports with colleagues. Additionally, Power BI provides a scalable solution, ensuring it remains a prudent option as a company’s data needs evolve over time. Power BI’s affordability, with its free version and cost-effective premium plans, further adds to its appeal for small businesses looking for a powerful yet budget friendly BI solution.
Designed for small businesses seeking a data-driven approach to understanding and optimizing their operations, Looker enables users to dive deep into their data, uncovering hidden patterns and valuable insights.
With its unique LookML modeling language and customizable data blocks, Looker provides an adaptable and powerful environment for users to create custom visualizations, reports, and dashboards.
- LookML modeling language for defining data relationships and calculations
- Looker Blocks for creating modular and reusable dashboard components
- Advanced data exploration and drill-down functionality
- Customizable visualizations with built-in chart types and visualization libraries
Pros
- Excellent data exploration and discovery capabilities
- Wide range of data connectors and integration options
- Highly customizable visualizations and dashboards
- Scalable solution for growing businesses
Cons
- Steep learning curve for LookML and advanced features
- High cost compared to some competitors
- Limited pre-built templates for specific industries
- Customer support response times can be slow
Free trial available
Free version available
Starting at $20,000/year
Looker is a robust business intelligence and data visualization platform that shines when it comes to data exploration and discovery, allowing users to dive deeper into their data.
The platform’s unique LookML modeling language allows for a more structured and maintainable approach to data modeling, ensuring that small businesses can easily adapt and scale their data analytics as they grow. Additionally, Looker’s customizable data blocks make it simple for users to create tailored visualizations, reports, and dashboards that suit their specific needs, without requiring advanced technical skills.
According to users, Looker also boasts highly responsive customer support. This, coupled with comprehensive learning resources, ensures small businesses can make the most out of the platform.
Qlik Sense is a dynamic business intelligence and data visualization platform that excels in providing self-service data analysis capabilities. Ideal for small businesses seeking to empower their teams with the ability to analyze data independently, Qlik Sense offers an intuitive and user-friendly environment that simplifies data exploration and discovery. With its unique Associative Engine, Qlik Sense enables users to quickly uncover hidden insights and connections in their data.
- Associative data model for intuitive data exploration and discovery
- Drag-and-drop interface for creating custom visualizations and dashboards
- Qlik DataMarket for accessing third-party data sources
- Qlik Insight Bot for AI-powered natural language insights
Pros
- User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality
- Self-service data analysis and exploration capabilities
- Wide range of data connectors and integration options
- Active user community and extensive learning resources
Cons
- Limited pre-built templates and industry-specific KPIs
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and scripting
- Performance issues with large data sets
- Pricing can be high for smaller businesses
Free trial available
Qlik Sense Business: $30/user/month
Qlik Sense Enterprise Saas: Contact Qlik Sense for a personalized quote
Qlik Sense is an excellent choice for small businesses due to its emphasis on self-service data analysis, allowing users of all skill levels to explore, analyze, and visualize their data with ease. The platform’s unique Associative Engine sets it apart from competitors by enabling users to quickly uncover hidden insights and connections within their data, facilitating more informed decision-making. Additionally, Qlik Sense offers a wide range of customization options for building tailored visualizations, reports, and dashboards that align with the specific needs of the business.
The platform’s extensive data integration capabilities make it easy for small businesses to consolidate data from multiple sources, providing a comprehensive view of their operations. Qlik Sense also promotes collaboration within organizations by offering built-in sharing and collaboration features, ensuring that valuable insights are accessible and actionable by all team members. Furthermore, Qlik Sense provides a scalable solution that can grow with the business, ensuring that its data analysis needs will be met as the company expands.
A great small business dashboard solution should be easy to use, customizable, and scalable—the last of which being especially important for small businesses. It should offer robust data visualization capabilities and support data integration from various sources. Additionally, it should be cost-effective, ensuring small businesses can afford the solution without breaking the bank.
At TechnologyAdvice, we assess a wide range of factors before selecting our top choices for a given category. To make our selections, we rely on our extensive research, product information, vendor websites, competitor research and first-hand experience. We then consider what makes a solution best for customer-specific needs.
For our best BI dashboard for small business list, we looked at 17 options before on six that cover the most common business intelligence dashboard needs for startups all the way up to established small businesses.
Selecting the right dashboard solution for your small business depends on several factors, including budget, complexity of the data with which you are working, and the level of customization and scalability you require.
Each of the products we have listed offers unique features and advantages tailored to specific use cases, making it essential to evaluate them based on your unique business requirements. Regardless of your choice, investing in a business intelligence solution is crucial to stay ahead of the competition and make data-driven decisions.
Check out our comprehensive list of the best business intelligence platforms for 2023.
When selecting a small business dashboard solution, consider factors such as budget, data complexity, customization, and scalability requirements.
Dashboard solutions specifically designed for small businesses include, but are not limited to, Sisense, Zoho Analytics, Tableau, Domo, Microsoft Power BI, Looker, and Qlik Sense.