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Head-to-head · Ai Analytics

SAS Viya vs Looker

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score SAS Viya #1 in Ai Analytics 9.1/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit SAS Viya
Looker #8 in Ai Analytics 8.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Looker

SAS Viya leads on 0 checks, Looker on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSAS Viya · 9.1/10
  • Free trialonly SAS Viya
  • Most featuresLooker · 1 of 2

SAS Viya scores higher on our rubric for ai analytics: 9.1 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

SAS Viya is the better fit for enterprises operationalizing governed predictive analytics. Looker is the better fit for teams prioritizing governed analytics and embedding.

  • SAS Viya fits best

    Enterprises operationalizing governed predictive analytics

  • Looker fits best

    Teams prioritizing governed analytics and embedding

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature SAS Viya 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Looker 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.5
Ranking #1 in Ai Analytics #8 in Ai Analytics
Best for Enterprises operationalizing governed predictive analytics Teams prioritizing governed analytics and embedding
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request · 14-day trial —
Free plan — —
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 18 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Enterprise, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features SAS Viya 0/2 · Looker 1/2
Natural-language queries Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Predictive analytics Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Data connectors Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment Not checked yet Hybrid
Data refresh Not checked yet Not checked yet
Export formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines automated ML, forecasting, validation and model monitoring
  • Supports explainability, fairness testing, bias detection and governance
  • Deploys across cloud, on-premises, in-database and edge environments
  • LookML provides a semantic model for governed data exploration.
  • Conversational Analytics supports natural-language data questions.
  • Embedding, APIs, and row-level security support custom analytics applications.
Cons
  • Requires contacting sales for pricing
  • No free plan is offered
  • Its broad modeling and governance scope may exceed simpler analytics needs
  • Quote-based pricing makes costs harder to assess upfront.
  • No free plan is offered.
  • AI features focus on analytics rather than predictive modeling.
Our verdict

SAS Viya brings data integration, analytics and AI into a platform for organizations that need to build predictive models and operationalize decisions. It suits enterprise and mid-market teams, particularly those working in regulated or…

Read the review →

Looker is Google Cloud’s business intelligence and analytics platform for organizations that need governed data exploration, reporting, and embedded analytics. Teams model data with LookML, explore it through Explores, and build dashboards…

Read the review →
  1. SAS ViyaAi Analytics 9.1Pricing on request · 14-day trial
  2. LookerAi Analytics 8.5Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SAS Viya — where it wins

    • Combines automated ML, forecasting, validation and model monitoring
    • Supports explainability, fairness testing, bias detection and governance
    • Deploys across cloud, on-premises, in-database and edge environments

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires contacting sales for pricing
    • No free plan is offered
    • Its broad modeling and governance scope may exceed simpler analytics needs

  • Looker — where it wins

    • LookML provides a semantic model for governed data exploration.
    • Conversational Analytics supports natural-language data questions.
    • Embedding, APIs, and row-level security support custom analytics applications.

    Where it doesn't

    • Quote-based pricing makes costs harder to assess upfront.
    • No free plan is offered.
    • AI features focus on analytics rather than predictive modeling.
  • SAS Viya9.1/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

    SAS Viya connects predictive modeling, governance and real-time decisioning for enterprise teams.

    Visit SAS ViyaFull verdict →
  • Looker8.5/10 · Pricing on request

    A governed BI platform with conversational analytics and embedded dashboards; pricing is quote-based.

    Visit LookerFull verdict →

More comparisons

All ai analytics comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update