QlikView vs Looker Studio: A Comparative Analysis
Introduction
Choosing the right business intelligence tool is crucial for data-driven decision-making. Qlikview and Looker Studio are both prominent platforms that offer unique features and capabilities for data analysis and visualization.
While Qlikview is known for its in-memory data processing and associative data modeling, Looker Studio stands out with its web-based interface and integration with the Google ecosystem. Decision-makers face the challenge of selecting the tool that best aligns with their organizational needs.
This comparison will delve into the key differences between Qlikview and Looker Studio. We'll also introduce Sourcetable, a contemporary solution that offers a spreadsheet-like interface for business intelligence tasks, seamlessly synchronizing with your data – presenting an innovative alternative to traditional BI tools.
What is QlikView?
QlikView is a guided analytics solution designed to facilitate the development and delivery of analytics applications and dashboards. It is equipped with an associative engine that allows for dynamic generation of new data views, enhancing the analytical experience. This engine is pivotal in QlikView's ability to offer an associative experience across all data used for analysis.
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QlikView is a guided analytics solution designed to facilitate the development and delivery of analytics applications and dashboards. It is equipped with an associative engine that allows for dynamic generation of new data views, enhancing the analytical experience. This engine is pivotal in QlikView's ability to offer an associative experience across all data used for analysis.
With its in-memory data compression capabilities, QlikView enables users to explore large datasets rapidly. This feature allows multiple users to interact with data in memory simultaneously, without being confined to pre-set exploration paths or static dashboards. The flexibility of QlikView's system is further supported by its direct connectivity to data sources, which streamlines the data analysis process.
QlikView stands out by not restricting users to predefined drill paths or pre-configured dashboards, thus promoting an unconstrained data exploration environment.
What is Looker Studio?
Looker Studio is a web-based reporting tool designed for creating interactive reports and dashboards. It offers a no-cost solution for data visualization and business intelligence tasks. The platform features a range of connectors, including both built-in and partner options, which facilitate the integration of various data sources. Additionally, Looker Studio provides a developer platform, enhancing its extensibility and customization potential for advanced users.
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Looker Studio is a web-based reporting tool designed for creating interactive reports and dashboards. It offers a no-cost solution for data visualization and business intelligence tasks. The platform features a range of connectors, including both built-in and partner options, which facilitate the integration of various data sources. Additionally, Looker Studio provides a developer platform, enhancing its extensibility and customization potential for advanced users.
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Key Features
- Interactive reporting and dashboard creation capabilities.
- Free-to-use web-based platform.
- Integration with multiple data sources through built-in and partner connectors.
- Extensible developer platform for advanced customization.
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Key Features of QlikView
Associative Engine |
The associative engine is the cornerstone of QlikView, setting it apart as a unique analytics solution. This engine enables intuitive data exploration and discovery, allowing users to uncover insights through natural search and selection. |
Visual Discovery |
QlikView offers intuitive visual discovery features, facilitating easy interpretation and communication of data patterns and trends through engaging visualizations. |
Qlik Cloud Analytics and Qlik Sense Integration |
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Key Features of Looker Studio
Business Intelligence and Visualization |
Looker Studio serves as a self-service business intelligence tool, enabling users to create insightful reports and data visualizations. |
Data Connectivity |
With the capability to connect to over 800 data sources, Looker Studio ensures comprehensive data integration for robust reporting. |
Real-Time Collaboration |
Looker Studio enhances collaboration by allowing real-time sharing of dashboards, facilitating immediate insights and decision-making. |
Web Embedding |
Users can embed reports directly on the web using Looker Studio’s embedding feature, increasing accessibility and reach of data insights. |
User-Friendly Interface |
The platform's drag and drop interface simplifies the creation of reports, making it accessible for users with varying technical expertise. |
Efficiency Tools |
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Developer Features |
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Advantages of Qlikview for Business Intelligence
Qlikview serves as an efficient self-service BI tool, optimizing the process of reporting and data analytics. Its dynamic dashboards enhance data interpretation, significantly reducing the time to insight.
Qlikview serves as an efficient self-service BI tool, optimizing the process of reporting and data analytics. Its dynamic dashboards enhance data interpretation, significantly reducing the time to insight.
Collaboration and Decision Making
Facilitating teamwork, Qlikview streamlines collaborative efforts, enabling data-driven decision-making across departments.
Implementation and Usability
The tool's simplicity in implementation combined with its user-friendly interface ensures a smooth adoption curve for businesses.
Data Security and Performance
Qlikview's robust data security measures protect sensitive information while its high speed and in-memory technology ensure quick data processing.
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
Advanced data compression techniques and the QIX Engine contribute to the tool's efficiency. Its cost-effectiveness makes it a smart choice for businesses focused on value.
Data Visualization
With its strong data visualization capabilities, Qlikview presents complex data in an easily digestible format, aiding in quicker analysis.
Disadvantages of Qlikview for Business Intelligence
Real-Time Data Analysis
Qlikview's inefficiency in handling real-time data analysis can be a significant drawback for businesses requiring up-to-date information for decision-making.
Technical Expertise Requirement
The necessity for technical expertise to develop applications in Qlikview poses a barrier to users without a technical background, potentially increasing reliance on specialized staff or training costs.
Integration Challenges
Embedding Qlikview with other software systems may present complications, potentially hindering seamless workflow integration.
Customer Support Concerns
Reports of Qlikview's poor customer support can impact user experience, particularly when resolving technical issues.
Outdated Tools and Interfaces
Qlikview's older tools and interfaces may not meet modern user expectations for intuitive design and functionality, possibly affecting productivity.
Cost Implications for SMEs
The cost of implementing Qlikview can be prohibitive for small to medium-sized businesses, making it a less viable option compared to more affordable alternatives.
User Satisfaction
Poor ratings in user surveys can reflect a general dissatisfaction with Qlikview, influencing prospective customers' purchasing decisions.
System Resource Requirements
Despite having less RAM limitations, Qlikview may still require substantial system resources, which could impact performance in resource-constrained environments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Qlikview
Can QlikView handle large datasets?
Yes, QlikView can handle a few million rows of typical transaction data on a PC with 512MB of RAM and up to one billion rows of transaction data on large servers.
How does QlikView manage joining fields from different data sources?
QlikView can automatically join fields with the same name and can join fields with different names using an alias or AS statement.
Can QlikView work with SQL-like syntax?
Yes, QlikView can use SQL-like syntax on text files.
How can QlikView be shared with others?
QlikView can be shared with others using QlikView Server or QlikView Publisher.
Can QlikView restrict access to certain users?
Yes, QlikView can limit who can use a document using section access.
Use Cases for Qlikview
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Improving efficiency, customer service, and sales
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Simplifying analytics with a company-wide portal
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Boosting operational success
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Lowering costs and reducing effort to convert loan prospects
Advantages of Using Looker Studio for Business Intelligence
Comprehensive Feature Set
Looker Studio Pro provides a full suite of features for reporting and data analytics, building upon the capabilities of the standard Looker Studio.
Enterprise Capabilities
Enhanced enterprise capabilities cater to the needs of larger organizations requiring robust data management and governance.
Organizational Control
Reports and data sources are owned by the organization, ensuring control over business intelligence assets.
Collaboration
Team workspaces facilitate the sharing and collaboration of Looker Studio content, streamlining team efforts.
Report Automation
Automated report delivery systems help in maintaining timely updates for stakeholders.
Data Exploration
Personal report links grant individuals the ability to delve into data, fostering an informed decision-making environment.
Mobile Accessibility
The mobile app enables access to reports and analytics on the go, ensuring insights are available anytime, anywhere.
Support Structure
Google Cloud Customer Care and the necessity of a support plan for technical assistance guarantee professional support for Looker Studio Pro users.
Disadvantages of Looker Studio for Business Intelligence
Data Blending and Real-time Integration
Looker Studio's inability to blend data sources in a single view hampers comprehensive data analysis. This limitation restricts users from analyzing combined datasets, leading to fragmented insights. Additionally, the lack of native support for real-time data integration means that users cannot analyze live data streams within Looker Studio, which is crucial for time-sensitive decision-making.
User Interface and Loading Times
The user interface of Looker Studio may experience longer loading times than users desire. This can result in delays when accessing reports and dashboards, leading to inefficiencies in the workflow of business intelligence tasks.
Customer Support and Quota Limitations
The responsiveness of Looker Studio's customer support is considered less adequate compared to other BI tools. This could impact resolution times for issues, affecting productivity. Moreover, Looker Studio enforces a quota limit for GA4 API requests, which could hinder extensive data analysis and limit the scope of reporting for users reliant on Google Analytics 4 data.
Connectivity and Template Availability
Compared to other BI tools, Looker Studio has a limited number of data connectors and report templates. This limits integration with diverse data sources and restricts customization options for reporting, which can be critical for businesses needing tailored analytical views.
Tool Specialization
As primarily a visualization tool, Looker Studio may not meet the advanced analytical needs of businesses seeking comprehensive BI solutions. Organizations requiring intricate data manipulation or complex analytical functions may find Looker Studio's capabilities insufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions About Looker Studio
What is Looker Studio?
Looker Studio is a business intelligence tool that enables users to create customizable reports and dashboards for data visualization and analysis.
Is Looker Studio free to use?
Yes, Looker Studio offers a free version with robust features for creating data visualizations and reports.
Can Looker Studio connect to different data sources?
Yes, Looker Studio can connect to a variety of data sources including Google Sheets, databases, and many other third-party sources.
Can multiple users collaborate on a Looker Studio report?
Yes, Looker Studio supports collaboration, allowing multiple users to edit and view reports and dashboards simultaneously.
How do I share a Looker Studio report?
You can share a Looker Studio report by clicking the 'Share' button and choosing to share with specific people or to share a link that anyone with the link can view or edit, depending on the permissions you set.
Use Cases for Looker Studio
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Creating reports and dashboards for data analysis
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Tracking and analyzing marketing analytics
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Visualizing data for client reports
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Generating embedded analytics for integration
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Producing monthly reports to understand business data
Why Sourcetable is the Preferred Choice for Business Intelligence
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Intuitive Interface
Sourcetable offers a spreadsheet-like interface that simplifies data interaction, making it more accessible than the visual discovery tools of QlikView and Looker Studio. This approach is particularly beneficial for those already familiar with spreadsheet software, reducing the learning curve and enhancing productivity.
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Unified Data Syncing
Unlike QlikView, which requires different platforms for cloud and on-premises data analytics, Sourcetable syncs data across all services seamlessly. This unified data syncing capability ensures that businesses have a holistic view of their data without the need for multiple solutions.
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Streamlined Reporting
Reporting with Sourcetable is streamlined as it consolidates data analytics tools into a single, efficient platform. This eliminates the complexity of using separate tools for cloud-based SaaS deployments like Qlik Cloud Analytics or on-premises solutions such as Qlik Sense.
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Enhanced Collaboration
While QlikView promotes real-time collaboration and action, Sourcetable's spreadsheet-like environment fosters an even greater level of collaboration. Teams can work together within a familiar interface, allowing for immediate action and decision-making based on live data insights.
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Cost-Effective Solution
Sourcetable provides a cost-effective alternative to the AI-powered insights offered by QlikView's Qlik Cloud Analytics and Qlik Sense. By streamlining the data analytics process, Sourcetable reduces the need for specialized training or additional software, lowering overall business intelligence costs.
Try Sourcetable
Simplify your BI tooling with a spreadsheet that syncs with all your data.
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Comparison Between QlikView and Looker Studio
QlikView and Looker Studio are both powerful analytics solutions used by organizations to make data-driven decisions. They share several similarities that make them competitive options in the business intelligence market.
QlikView and Looker Studio are both powerful analytics solutions used by organizations to make data-driven decisions. They share several similarities that make them competitive options in the business intelligence market.
Visual Data Discovery
Both QlikView and Looker Studio offer intuitive visual discovery interfaces that allow users to explore and interact with data. This feature enables users to gain insights through visual representations such as charts and graphs.
Deployment Options
QlikView and Looker Studio can be deployed in different environments to suit organizational needs. QlikView is available for both cloud-based SaaS and on-premises deployments, similar to Looker Studio which can be integrated with cloud services.
Real-Time Collaboration
Use of AI
Both platforms integrate AI to enhance the analytics experience. QlikView uses AI-powered insights for data analysis, which is a feature Looker Studio incorporates as well, leveraging machine learning for advanced data exploration.
QlikView vs Looker Studio
Deployment Options
QlikView offers flexible deployment options. It can be used on the cloud with Qlik Cloud Analytics or on-premises with Qlik Sense. Looker Studio, formerly known as Google Data Studio, is primarily a cloud-based solution without a dedicated on-premises option.
Data Processing
QlikView employs an associative engine for data processing, enhancing data discovery and business intelligence. Looker Studio relies on a different approach, using LookML for data modeling and SQL for data queries.
Visual Discovery
Both QlikView and Looker Studio provide visual discovery interfaces. QlikView's associative engine enables intuitive visual discovery, while Looker Studio offers a user-friendly interface for creating reports and dashboards.
AI Integration
QlikView and Qlik Sense leverage AI to offer insights, promoting real-time collaboration and action. Looker Studio integrates with Google's AI and machine learning capabilities to analyze data and provide insights.
Collaboration Features
QlikView allows for real-time collaboration and action through Qlik Sense. Looker Studio also supports collaboration, enabling users to share reports and visualizations within the Google ecosystem.
Regulatory Compliance
For industries with strict data regulations, Qlik Sense, as an on-premises solution, can be more compliant with regulatory requirements. Looker Studio's cloud-based nature may present challenges for certain regulatory frameworks.
Qlikview vs Looker Studio vs Sourcetable Comparison
Qlikview
Looker Studio
Sourcetable
Qlikview distinguishes itself with its associative engine and AI-powered insights, expanding business intelligence to a broader audience. Looker Studio focuses on real-time data access and integration with Google's ecosystem, while Sourcetable provides a user-friendly, spreadsheet-oriented approach for data analysis and reporting.
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Simplify your BI tooling with a spreadsheet that syncs with all your data.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sourcetable
What is Sourcetable and who is it for?
Sourcetable is a spreadsheet application that replaces workflows typically done in Excel, Google Sheets, and Business Intelligence tools. It's designed for growth teams, business operations teams, and anyone who needs to centralize, analyze, and model data that updates over time without the need for coding.
How does Sourcetable integrate with 3rd party applications?
Sourcetable allows users to access and sync data from over 100 applications and most databases. Data integrations update every 15 minutes on the regular plan and every 5 minutes on the pro plan.
Do I need to know how to code to use Sourcetable?
No, Sourcetable does not require any coding. Users can query data and build live models that automatically update as data updates.
How much does Sourcetable cost?
Sourcetable costs $50 per month for the starter plan and $250 per month for the pro plan. All plans have a 14-day free trial, and additional seats cost $20 per month per user.
How quickly can I start creating reports with Sourcetable?
Users can start creating reports with Sourcetable within minutes of starting to use the application.
Qlikview Pricing Structure
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Standard Plan Features
Minimum 20 full users required 25 GB/year data allocation Access to hundreds of data sources Interactive data visualizations and dashboards Augmented analytics with AI Team collaboration tools 24x7 customer support
- Minimum 20 full users required
- 25 GB/year data allocation
- Access to hundreds of data sources
- Interactive data visualizations and dashboards
- Augmented analytics with AI
- Team collaboration tools
- 24x7 customer support
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Premium and Enterprise Plan Enhancements
50 GB/year data for Premium, 500 GB/year for Enterprise Automated report compilation and delivery Additional data sources connectivity Predictive analytics with automated machine learning No-code automation builder triggers Enterprise-grade data governance Personalized customer success plan
- 50 GB/year data for Premium, 500 GB/year for Enterprise
- Automated report compilation and delivery
- Additional data sources connectivity
- Predictive analytics with automated machine learning
- No-code automation builder triggers
- Enterprise-grade data governance
- Personalized customer success plan
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Usage Monitoring
Alerts for approaching capacity limit
- Alerts for approaching capacity limit
Looker Studio Cost
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Free Access for Creators and Viewers
Looker Studio offers a no-charge plan for creators and report viewers, making it accessible for individuals and teams to create and share reports.
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Looker Studio Pro for Enterprises
Enterprise customers looking for additional features can upgrade to Looker Studio Pro. This version includes expanded administrative capabilities and enhanced support options.
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Looker Studio Pro Pricing
The cost for Looker Studio Pro is set at $9 per user per project each month. Despite the additional cost, creators and report viewers can still access Looker Studio Pro without any charge.
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Upgrading to Looker Studio Pro
Users can directly upgrade to Looker Studio Pro from the Looker Studio website, streamlining the transition for enterprises seeking advanced functionalities.
User Reviews and Ratings of QlikView
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Overall Rating
Users have rated QlikView with an overall score of 4.3.
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Functionality
QlikView's functionality is highly regarded with a rating of 4.5.
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Usability
For ease-of-use, QlikView has been rated 4, indicating good user experience despite being noted as less user-friendly with certain data sources.
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Customer Support
Customer support for QlikView also stands at a 4 rating, suggesting satisfactory assistance for users.
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Value for Money
Value for money is rated at 4, reflecting the software's overall cost-effectiveness despite being mentioned as expensive.
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Versatility and Integration
- QlikView is known for its versatility in data visualization.
- It can combine multiple data sources to generate intricate reports.
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Performance and Limitations
- There are reports of slow response with heavy data volume.
- Users have experienced slight delays in real-time data synchronization.
- QlikView's visualization options are considered good, but not the best when compared with competitors.
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Functional Insights
- It is a powerful BI tool used for creating sales and inventory dashboards.
- Its data integration capabilities are strong, but it does not allow exporting of a list of all currently licensed users.
- R integration and detailed reporting are not QlikView's strengths.
- It is not rated as highly as competitors like Qlik Sense, Tableau, or PowerBI for visualization.
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Accessibility and Community
- QlikView offers a free version that is fully featured.
- The software is considered fast and easy to implement.
- There is a wide user group and a support forum available on the internet.
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Customization and Automation
- Users can customize reports and automate their distribution and creation.
- Customization can be achieved using VBA or other programming languages.
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Technical Features
- QlikView boasts an intuitive interface and in-memory processing.
- Scheduled batch jobs for ETL processes are part of its offerings.
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Use in Academia
It is endorsed as great for students writing thesis, providing a ton of value.
User Reviews of Looker Studio
Looker Studio, a part of Google Cloud, is a BI and analytics platform. It has received mixed feedback from users. While it is utilized by various organizations for data analysis, a noticeable segment of its users express dissatisfaction.
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Looker Studio, a part of Google Cloud, is a BI and analytics platform. It has received mixed feedback from users. While it is utilized by various organizations for data analysis, a noticeable segment of its users express dissatisfaction.
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Negative Feedback
- Many users report a negative experience with Looker Studio.
- Common complaints indicate that the platform is slow and buggy.
- Users also find Looker Studio to be unintuitive compared to other tools.
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Comparative Performance
When compared with other reporting tools, Looker Studio is often rated lower. Notably, products such as Data Studio and Tableau are mentioned as superior alternatives by some users.
*Reviews and ratings are derived from user testimonials and comparison articles.
Conclusion
In summary, Qlikview offers a robust set of features for data integration and analysis, while Looker Studio is known for its data visualization capabilities and ease of use with Google services.
Businesses looking for a more streamlined approach to business intelligence may consider Sourcetable. Sourcetable syncs data across all services in real-time into a spreadsheet interface, simplifying the BI process.
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Simplify your BI tooling with a spreadsheet that syncs with all your data.
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