Google Looker vs Crystal Reports: A Comparative Analysis

What is Google Looker?

Google Looker is a business intelligence platform that is part of the Google Cloud product suite. It provides tools for accessing, analyzing, and utilizing data for business purposes.

• Google Looker is a business intelligence platform that is part of the Google Cloud product suite. It provides tools for accessing, analyzing, and utilizing data for business purposes.

• Key Features

• Enables data analysis and action.
• Delivers data experiences for decision-making.
• Facilitates interaction with business data via chat.
• Employs generative AI for developing data-driven applications.
• Offers cloud-based data solutions.
• Provides tools for building custom applications with consistent metrics.
• Supports both self-service and governed data exploration.
• Compatible with existing BI environments through Looker modeling.

• Platform Availability

  As a cloud-based solution, Google Looker offers scalable and flexible access to business intelligence resources.

• Integration and Governance

  Google Looker supports integration with existing business intelligence environments, maintaining a balance between self-service and governance.

What is Crystal Reports?

Crystal Reports is a business reporting tool that specializes in creating richly formatted, pixel-perfect reports. It is known for its ability to work with various data sources and deliver reports in multiple formats.

• Crystal Reports is a business reporting tool that specializes in creating richly formatted, pixel-perfect reports. It is known for its ability to work with various data sources and deliver reports in multiple formats.

• Report Creation and Design

  Using Crystal Reports, advanced users can develop flexible report designs, while also allowing for intuitive report creation through drag-and-drop functionality. The tool provides guidance for sorting and grouping to enhance report clarity.

• Data Source Connectivity

  Crystal Reports can connect to nearly any data source, utilizing standard data access protocols to ensure a broad compatibility with different types of data.

• Report Delivery

  This reporting tool is capable of sharing business data through a range of documents, including invoices, letters, and statements, maintaining pixel-perfect quality in over a dozen report formats.

Advantages of Google Looker for Business Intelligence

Disadvantages of Google Looker for Business Intelligence

Advantages of Using Crystal Reports for Business Intelligence

Disadvantages of Using Crystal Reports

Why Sourcetable Is A Superior Alternative for Business Intelligence

• Streamlined Data Integration

  Sourcetable offers enhanced simplicity in reporting and data analytics by aggregating data from multiple services into a user-friendly, spreadsheet-like interface. This contrasts with Google Looker and Crystal Reports, which may require more complex setup and management to achieve similar data consolidation.

• User-Friendly Interface

  The intuitive spreadsheet-like interface of Sourcetable allows for a more accessible user experience compared to the more sophisticated interfaces of Google Looker and Crystal Reports, which may have a steeper learning curve for new users.

• Efficiency in Data Management

  Sourcetable's streamlined approach to data management and reporting allows users to focus on analysis and decision-making without the need for extensive training or technical knowledge, offering a more efficient solution for businesses of all sizes.

• Comprehensive Reporting

  With its ability to sync data seamlessly across services, Sourcetable provides comprehensive reporting capabilities that can be more time-consuming to replicate in Google Looker or Crystal Reports, where data modeling and embedded analytics may require additional steps.

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Comparison between Google Looker and Crystal Reports

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Google Looker vs. Crystal Reports

Comparison of Google Looker, Crystal Reports, and Sourcetable

Google Looker Cost Overview

• Platform Pricing

  Looker's platform pricing is a fixed cost for running a Looker instance. It covers platform administration, integrations, and semantic modeling capabilities.

• User Pricing

  User pricing is determined by licensing individual users for access to the Looker platform. This cost varies depending on user roles and permissions.

• Billing and Subscription Terms

  Each Looker instance is linked to a billing account, which is charged for new instances and user additions. Looker offers annual subscriptions with one, two, or three-year term options.

• Platform Editions and User Licenses

• Looker provides three platform editions: Standard, Enterprise, and Embed.
• Costs for these editions differ based on user types and permissions.
• There are three types of user licenses: Developer User, Standard User, and Viewer User.

Crystal Reports Pricing

Crystal Reports is available at a one-time cost of $495. This fee provides access to the full suite of features that Crystal Reports offers for report generation.

• Crystal Reports is available at a one-time cost of $495. This fee provides access to the full suite of features that Crystal Reports offers for report generation.

• Additional Licensing

  For distributing reports externally, additional licensing is necessary. Developers creating reports for external use must adhere to these licensing requirements.

User Reviews of Google Looker

• General Sentiment

  Google Looker is recognized as a business intelligence (BI) and analytics platform. The feedback from users is mixed, with some expressing significant dissatisfaction.

• Negative Reviews

• Some users have labeled Looker as the worst reporting tool available on the market.
• Common complaints highlight that the platform is slow, buggy, and unintuitive.
• Users often compare Looker unfavorably to other BI tools, suggesting that both free and paid alternatives, such as Data Studio and Tableau, offer superior experiences.

• Comparison to Competitors

  When considering Looker in the landscape of BI tools, users tend to prefer competitors, notably Data Studio for a free option and Tableau for a paid solution, over Looker.

User Reviews of Crystal Reports

• Ease of Use

  Users frequently mention the ease of use when discussing Crystal Reports. The interface and process for creating reports are straightforward, making it accessible for users with varying levels of expertise.

• Functionality and Features

  Reviewers praise Crystal Reports for its wide array of features, which include data sorting, retrieval for analysis, and the ability to create detailed and quality reports. Its capability to integrate well with Visual Studio applications is also noted.

• Financial Reporting

  Financial investment opportunities can be effectively reported using Crystal Reports, as highlighted by users.

• Data Handling

  According to reviews, Crystal Reports excels at moving data from databases and presenting it visually, which is essential for making informed business decisions. Its performance with SQL datasets and business documentation is particularly emphasized.

• Integration

  The tool is well-regarded within the SAP ecosystem, offering seamless integration for those already using SAP services.

• Pricing Model

  There are conflicting reports about the pricing model of Crystal Reports. While it is described as a one-time purchase, it is also referred to as having a subscription model. Nonetheless, the consensus is that it has a high price point for single user licenses and is expensive due to its perpetual license availability.

• Security and Accessibility

  Criticism is directed towards the weak data security model and the lack of an online dashboarding feature, which limits accessibility for some users.

• Review Sources

  The reviews and ratings for Crystal Reports come from users who have been invited by Capterra and have received a nominal gift card for their contributions.

• Longevity

  Users recognize Crystal Reports as an established tool in the market, having been around for over two decades.