All businesses, regardless of size or type, need business intelligence tools to help their processes along seamlessly. For small businesses, finding the right business intelligence tools can be difficult, as there are many designated for larger corporations. In this article, we’ve provided the top eight BI tools and software to help you find your perfect fit.

Top Eight Small Business BI Tools

  1. Datapine- Best BI Tool for Dashboards
  2. SAP Analytics Cloud- Best BI Tool for Visualization
  3. Wyn Enterprise- Best BI Tool for Applications
  4. SAS Business Intelligence- Best BI Tool for Reporting
  5. DOMO- Best BI Tool for Connectivity
  6. Planful- Best Web-based BI Tool
  7. Zoho Analytics- Best BI Tool for Integrations
  8. Oracle Business Intelligence- Best BI Tool for Organization

1. Datapine – Best BI Tool for Dashboards

Pricing: Free 14-day trial available; pricing starts at $249 per installation

Datapine is a great option for small to mid-sized businesses that need powerful dashboards. This BI tool is easy to use with its drag and drop editor. There are multiple features to discover and learn how to use, including the multiple visualization tools. Datapine integrates with many other data sources for your convenience, including Google Analytics and Oracle.

Key Features:

  • Drag and drop editor
  • Predictive analytics
  • Dashboard
  • Multiple reports
  • AI generated alarms and insights

Reasons to Buy:

  • All plans are cloud-based
  • Integrates with Google Analytics, Oracle, and other data sources
  • Can create PDF versions of data
  • Pre-built visualization tools
  • Best fit for mid-sized companies

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Dashboard feature needs to be customized in their app to be used in their mobile version
  • Users have claimed that the free trial isn’t long enough to test all of the features
  • Expensive

» MORE: Best Enterprise BI Tools

2. SAP Analytics Cloud – Best BI Tool for Visualization

Pricing: Starts at $25 per month, per user; free trial available

SAP Analytics Cloud offers many reports and templates that are customizable, as well as a flexible dashboard feature. This BI tool is web-based based, but does also work on mobile devices. SAP Analytics Cloud also allows integrations, in addition to being a great tool for collaboration. You can import and export data, as well, in real time, which can be showcased on private and public dashboards.

Key Features:

  • Web-based software
  • Multiple forms of customer support
  • Mobile versions available
  • Collaboration tools
  • Customizable reports, templates and dashboard
  • Multiple data-related tools
  • 3rd party integrations

Reasons to Buy:

  • Extensive capabilities and features
  • Great option for iPhone and iPad users
  • Easily search and find what you are looking for
  • Offers private and public dashboards
  • Export and import data, in real time

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Finding what you need can take time
  • Learning the software can be difficult

» MORE: Redshift BI Tools for Amazon

3. Wyn Enterprise – Best BI Tool for Applications

Pricing: Free trial and free version available; must request a price quote

Wyn Enterprise offers a free version, which is uncommon among other BI tools, but if you decide to purchase a plan, you will need to request a quote based on your needs. Businesses have 24/7 customer support and access to multiple templates and reports that are customizable. You can even create custom branding with Wyn.

Key Features:

  • Web-based software
  • 24/7 support
  • Customizable reports, templates, and branding
  • Dashboard
  • Benchmarking
  • Analytics for visual, reporting and profits

Reasons to Buy:

  • Works with Windows and Linux
  • Can be used on-premise on desktops
  • Support is available via phone, chat and email
  • Metrics to measure performance
  • Analysis for profits and trends
  • 3rd party integrations

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Pricing isn’t transparent on their website

» MORE: Top BI Tools for Startups

4. SAS Business Intelligence – Best BI Tool for Reporting

Pricing: Quote-based; free trial available

SAS Business Intelligence is another quote-based BI tool that is best for its reporting capabilities. You can utilize SAS Business Intelligence on desktop and mobile devices, making it easy to stay on top of management. This software is also another great option if you are looking to collaborate with other businesses.

Key Features:

  • Dashboard
  • Text analytics
  • Machine learning
  • Reports across different devices
  • 3rd party integrations

Reasons to Buy:

  • Mobile BI tools and reporting capabilities
  • Supported by Windows, Android, and iOS devices
  • Great for collaboration purposes

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Product is complex to use
  • Higher price point compared to other software

» MORE: Mac’s Finest BI Tools

5. DOMO – Best BI Tool for Connectivity

Pricing: Free trial available; per user pricing

DOMO utilizes artificial intelligence and cloud connectors, which helps to speed up data compilation processes. DOMO also works on all types of devices, including Windows and Mac, with 24/7 customer support. This BI tool has the advantage of operating their own app store and provides users with pre-built applications.

Key Features:

  • Web-based
  • 24/7 support
  • Auditing
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Dashboard
  • Multiple data management features
  • Widgets

Reasons to Buy:

  • Works on Windows, Mac and all mobile devices
  • View changes over time
  • Has its own app store for more pre-built apps
  • Utilizes an AI engine for predictive models
  • Pre-built cloud connectors for easy data retrieval

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Data updates can be incomplete
  • Users have reported difficulty in learning how to use DOMO

» MORE: Alternatives & Rivals For Microsoft Power BI Desktop

6. Planful – Best Web-based BI Tool

Pricing: Not available on website; contact company for pricing info

Planful is a great web-based BI tool option, among the other BI tools with web-based usability. Planful includes all of the staple features and functions, including a dashboard, ability to import and export data, and different types of analytics. However, Planful also has scenario planning, which allows you to see predictive results of “what-if” situations.

Key Features:

  • Web-based software
  • Dashboard
  • Data import, export and visualization
  • Budgeting and auditing
  • Multiple forms of analytics
  • Scenario planning

Reasons to Buy:

  • Works for both Mac and Windows
  • Phone and email support
  • Dashboard and reports are customizable
  • Can set goals and track progress

Reasons to Avoid:

  • No free trial or mobile version available
  • Dated interface
  • Accuracy isn’t always the best

» MORE: Best MongoDB BI Tools

7. Zoho Analytics – Best BI Tool for Integrations

Pricing: Starts at $30 per month; free trial and free version available

Zoho Analytics provides users with a fair price point, in addition to a free trial and plan, allowing users the chance to get to know the program before purchasing. Zoho Analytics utilizes AI and includes a spreadsheet-based interface, which is helpful for businesses that are familiar with Excel and similar software. This BI tool option is the best option for businesses looking for the most integration options.

Key Features:

  • Mobile capabilities
  • Web-based
  • AI assistant
  • Blending data feature
  • Geo visualization
  • Spreadsheet interface
  • 3rd party integrations

Reasons to Buy:

  • 24/7 support
  • Extensive analytical tools
  • Over 500 integrations
  • Free for up to 2 users
  • Multiple sources of data to use
  • Analytics are real-time
  • Private and public dashboard capabilities

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Not beginner friendly due to advanced features
  • Learning curve
  • Only works with Windows computers

» MORE:Best Zoho Alternatives & Competitors

8. Oracle Business Intelligence – Best BI Tool for Organization

Pricing: Starts at $150 per month

Users, both current and former, have noted Oracle Business Intelligence being most useful for its organization. This software offers report generation with multiple templates to choose from, as well as flexible formatting. One additional plus to using Oracle Business Intelligence is the single sign-on feature.

Key Features:

  • Multiple dashboards
  • Personalized alarm system
  • Reporting generation
  • Ad Hoc capabilities
  • Real-time server

Reasons to Buy:

  • Dashboards are customizable
  • Multiple templates for reports
  • Flexible formatting
  • Publish to the Internet and PDF
  • Single sign-on capability
  • Mobile app available

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Operates slowly on occasion
  • Some functions can be time-consuming
  • Users have reported struggles with importing data
  • No free trial or plan available

» MORE: Which Is Better for You: Salesforce or Oracle?

References

  • https://www.datapine.com/articles/best-bi-tools-software-review-list
  • https://www.capterra.com/business-intelligence-software/s/small-businesses/
  • https://www.datapine.com/
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/249571/SAP-Analytics-Cloud/#reviews
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/193637/Wyn-Enterprise/
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/119119/Domo/
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/129749/Zoho-Analytics/
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/72818/Host-Analytics-EPM-Platform/
  • https://www.trustradius.com/products/datapine/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons#product-details
  • https://www.capterra.com/p/180/Oracle-Business-Intelligence/#pricing
  • https://www.trustradius.com/products/oracle-business-intelligence-discoverer/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons#pricing
  • https://reviews.financesonline.com/p/sas-business-intelligence/