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Head-to-head · Business Intelligence Tools

Microsoft Power BI vs Data Studio

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Microsoft Power BI #1 in Business Intelligence Tools 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Power BI
Data Studio #8 in Business Intelligence Tools 8.7/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Data Studio

Microsoft Power BI leads on 0 checks, Data Studio on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMicrosoft Power BI · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Data Studio

Microsoft Power BI scores higher on our rubric for business intelligence tools: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

On deployment, Microsoft Power BI gives you Hybrid where Data Studio offers Cloud.

Microsoft Power BI is the better fit for microsoft-centric teams needing full BI coverage. Data Studio is the better fit for low-cost Google ecosystem reporting.

  • Microsoft Power BI fits best

    Microsoft-centric teams needing full BI coverage

  • Data Studio fits best

    Low-cost Google ecosystem reporting

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Side by side

Feature Microsoft Power BI 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Data Studio 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.7
Ranking #1 in Business Intelligence Tools #8 in Business Intelligence Tools
Best for Microsoft-centric teams needing full BI coverage Low-cost Google ecosystem reporting
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $14/user/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft Power BI 4/4 · Data Studio 4/4
Row-level security ✓ ✓
Scheduled reports ✓ ✓
Embedded analytics ✓ ✓
Natural-language queries ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment Hybrid Cloud
Refresh frequency Hourly Hourly
Viewer seats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Connects to more than 100 data sources
  • Includes modeling, transformation, security, refresh, and embedding
  • Supports web, Windows, iOS, Android, and on-premises reporting
  • Free plan with dashboards, reports, blending, and scheduled delivery
  • Connects to more than 1,400 sources, including Google and database systems
  • Supports embedding, row-level filtering, and natural-language data questions
Cons
  • Power BI Pro pricing starts at $14 per user per month, billed annually
  • Premium Per User raises the price to $24 per user per month
  • Embedded analytics uses variable pricing and requires a sales contact
  • Cloud-only deployment limits on-premises deployment options
  • Pro pricing is charged per user, per project, per month
  • Advanced organizational ownership and team workspaces require Pro
Our verdict

Microsoft Power BI is a business analytics platform for business users, report creators, administrators, and developers. It connects to more than 100 data sources and supports data transformation through Power Query Editor, semantic…

Read the review →

Data Studio is a web-based business intelligence and reporting tool for individuals, teams, and organizations. It turns connected business data into interactive dashboards and multi-page reports with charts, filters, images, text,…

Read the review →
  1. Microsoft Power BIBusiness Intelligence Tools 9.4Free plan
  2. Data StudioBusiness Intelligence Tools 8.7Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Microsoft Power BI — where it wins

    • Connects to more than 100 data sources
    • Includes modeling, transformation, security, refresh, and embedding
    • Supports web, Windows, iOS, Android, and on-premises reporting

    Where it doesn't

    • Power BI Pro pricing starts at $14 per user per month, billed annually
    • Premium Per User raises the price to $24 per user per month
    • Embedded analytics uses variable pricing and requires a sales contact

  • Data Studio — where it wins

    • Free plan with dashboards, reports, blending, and scheduled delivery
    • Connects to more than 1,400 sources, including Google and database systems
    • Supports embedding, row-level filtering, and natural-language data questions

    Where it doesn't

    • Cloud-only deployment limits on-premises deployment options
    • Pro pricing is charged per user, per project, per month
    • Advanced organizational ownership and team workspaces require Pro
  • Microsoft Power BI9.4/10 · Free plan

    A broad BI platform for Microsoft-centric teams that need modeling, security, sharing, and embedding.

    Visit Power BIFull verdict →
  • Data Studio8.7/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A low-cost reporting tool for teams working across Google and connected data sources.

    Visit Data StudioFull verdict →

More comparisons

All business intelligence tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update