QlikView vs Power Apps: Feature & Cost Comparison
Introduction
Choosing the right business intelligence tool is crucial for effective data analysis and reporting. Qlikview and Power Apps are two prominent players in this field, each offering unique features and capabilities.
While Qlikview excels with in-memory data processing and associative data modeling, Power Apps is renowned for its seamless integration with other Microsoft services and ease of use in app development. However, businesses often seek simpler, more intuitive solutions.
This comparison will highlight the strengths and limitations of Qlikview and Power Apps. Additionally, we'll delve into how Sourcetable provides a streamlined alternative with its modernized, spreadsheet-like interface that syncs with your data for business intelligence tasks.
What is QlikView?
QlikView is a guided analytics solution designed for rapid development and delivery of analytics applications and dashboards. It features an associative engine that dynamically generates new data views, enabling an associative experience across all data used for analysis. The platform compresses data to optimize storage and performance, holding it in memory for real-time exploration by multiple users. QlikView allows direct connection to data sources and provides an environment where users are not constrained to predefined drill paths or dashboards.
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QlikView is a guided analytics solution designed for rapid development and delivery of analytics applications and dashboards. It features an associative engine that dynamically generates new data views, enabling an associative experience across all data used for analysis. The platform compresses data to optimize storage and performance, holding it in memory for real-time exploration by multiple users. QlikView allows direct connection to data sources and provides an environment where users are not constrained to predefined drill paths or dashboards.
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Key Features
- Associative engine for dynamic data view generation
- In-memory data compression and storage
- Facilitates guided analytics application and dashboard development
- Supports multiple users exploring in-memory data simultaneously
- Direct data source connectivity
- Unrestricted user exploration without pre-defined paths
What is Power Apps?
Power Apps is a comprehensive suite designed to streamline the creation and distribution of custom business applications. It serves as a rapid development environment that enables the transformation of manual business operations into automated, digital processes. By facilitating app development without the need for extensive coding, Power Apps democratizes the creation of feature-rich, custom business solutions.
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Power Apps is a comprehensive suite designed to streamline the creation and distribution of custom business applications. It serves as a rapid development environment that enables the transformation of manual business operations into automated, digital processes. By facilitating app development without the need for extensive coding, Power Apps democratizes the creation of feature-rich, custom business solutions.
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Core Components
- Apps, services, connectors, and an integrated data platform
- Rapid development environment for building custom apps
- Responsive design for browser and mobile device compatibility
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Functionality and Features
- Automation of business operations through digital transformation
- Rich business logic and workflow integration
- No-code app development for users
- Extensibility for professional developers
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Key Features of QlikView
Associative Engine |
The associative engine is the core feature that differentiates QlikView, enabling users to probe all the possible associations within their data. |
Intuitive Visual Discovery |
QlikView offers intuitive visual discovery that allows for immediate insight through dynamic dashboards and analytics. |
Augmented Intelligence |
Qlik Cloud Analytics and Qlik Sense enhance QlikView by integrating AI-powered insights, facilitating the transition to active analytics. |
Deployment Models |
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Key Features of Power Apps
App Development and Integration |
Power Apps enables the creation of custom business applications tailored to specific needs without requiring code, making it accessible to users of varying technical expertise. |
Data Connectivity |
It connects seamlessly with a variety of data sources, including SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and SQL Server, allowing for the integration and manipulation of data across diverse platforms. |
Platform Compatibility |
Applications built with Power Apps can run on web browsers and mobile devices, featuring responsive design for optimal user experience across different screen sizes. |
Business Logic and Workflow |
Power Apps provides comprehensive business logic and workflow capabilities, enabling the automation and streamlining of business processes. |
Extensibility for Developers |
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Integrated Solutions |
Developers can leverage Power Apps to build integrated solutions that extend the platform's capabilities and connect with external systems and services. |
Advantages of Using Qlikview for Business Intelligence
Efficient Data Analysis
Qlikview's visual and dynamic dashboards enable quick data interpretation, enhancing the efficiency of data analysis.
Team Collaboration
The tool facilitates collaboration, allowing teams to make informed, data-driven decisions.
Implementation and Usability
Qlikview is recognized for its simplicity and ease of implementation, making it accessible for users.
Data Security and Speed
Strong data security measures and high-speed performance are hallmarks of Qlikview, ensuring quick data handling.
Innovative Technology
With its advanced in-memory technology and QIX Engine, Qlikview provides efficient data processing and compression.
Visualization and Cost-Effectiveness
Qlikview's superior data visualization capabilities come at a cost-effective price point, offering value for investment.
Disadvantages of Using Qlikview for Business Intelligence
Real-Time Data Analysis
Qlikview may not be the most efficient tool for businesses requiring real-time data analysis.
System Resources
Despite having less RAM limitations, Qlikview can still face performance issues due to system resource constraints.
Technical Expertise
Application development with Qlikview requires a significant level of technical expertise, potentially increasing the learning curve for users.
Software Integration
Embedding Qlikview with other software systems can be challenging, often leading to an awkward integration process.
Customer Support
The level of customer support for Qlikview may be unsatisfactory, with users experiencing poor service.
Tools and Interfaces
Qlikview's tools and interfaces may be outdated, affecting user experience and productivity.
Cost Implications
For small or medium-sized businesses, the cost of implementing and maintaining Qlikview may be prohibitively expensive.
User Satisfaction
Qlikview has received poor ratings in user satisfaction surveys, reflecting a potentially negative consensus among its user base.
Frequently Asked Questions About Qlikview
How does QlikView handle memory usage when running scripts compared to working in the layout?
QlikView uses 3-4 times as much memory when running a script as when working in the layout.
Can QlikView handle large datasets and how?
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 table joins?
QlikView can automatically join fields with the same name and can join fields with different names using an alias or AS statement.
Can QlikView read and process data from web pages?
QlikView can read tables from web pages using the table file wizard.
Is it possible to share QlikView documents and control access?
QlikView can be shared with others using QlikView Server or QlikView Publisher, and it can limit who can use a document using section access.
Use Cases for Qlikview
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Improving efficiency, customer service, and sales as demonstrated by Dominos Pizza
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Simplifying analytics through a company-wide portal as used by Intuit
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Boosting operational success like Urban Outfitters
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Lowering costs and reducing effort to convert loan prospects as shown by Integra Financial
Advantages of Power Apps for Business Intelligence
Streamlined App Creation
Power Apps accelerates app creation, enabling rapid deployment of business intelligence tools. Its low-code and no-code approach democratizes analytics app development.
Integration Capabilities
With seamless integration to third-party services and Microsoft products, Power Apps enhances data analytics by consolidating various data sources.
Accessibility and Automation
Power Apps can be run from multiple devices, facilitating on-the-go reporting and data analysis. It also automates manual processes, optimizing data workflow.
Customization and Efficiency
Users can create custom business applications tailored to specific BI needs, removing complexities traditionally associated with app development.
Disadvantages of Power Apps for Business Intelligence
Limited Connectivity
Power Apps may face limitations in connecting with non-Microsoft third-party applications, which can be a significant drawback for businesses relying on a diverse suite of tools for reporting and data analytics.
Source Control Challenges
Without support for source control, Power Apps users may encounter difficulties in tracking changes and managing versions of business intelligence applications, leading to potential issues with collaboration and maintenance.
Lack of Code Splitting
The inability to split code within Power Apps can result in performance bottlenecks, especially when dealing with complex reporting and analytics applications, potentially affecting user experience and efficiency.
Scalability Concerns
For growing businesses, Power Apps' scalability challenges can pose a problem when trying to expand business intelligence capabilities to meet increasing demands, possibly leading to the need for alternative solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Power Apps
What are the licensing options for Power Apps?
Power Apps premium is licensed per user, and there is also a Power Apps per app option allowing users to run one app for a specific fee per user per month. Users can run more than one app by stacking per app licenses, and customers can mix and match Power Apps licenses for their organization.
Can Power Apps be used to build custom solutions within Microsoft Teams?
Yes, Power Apps allows users to build and deploy custom apps, use custom APIs, and build and deploy custom chatbots within Microsoft Teams.
What is Dataverse for Teams, and how does it work?
Dataverse for Teams is a capability that allows users to build flows in a Teams environment, it's available with select Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and it operates within Teams across web, desktop, and mobile. However, desktop flows and custom connectors aren't supported in Dataverse for Teams.
Is there a trial available for AI Builder, and how can users access it?
AI Builder is a paid add-on but is available for a free trial. Users can access a 30-day trial of AI Builder by signing up for a Power Apps or Power Automate trial, even without having a pre-existing license for these services.
Are there any special licensing exemptions for apps and flows using Microsoft 365 connectors?
Yes, apps and flows using Microsoft 365 connectors are exempt from premium connector licensing requirements until October 1, 2024, provided they were created during the transition period that lasted until October 1, 2020, or the end of the current subscription term, whichever was longer.
Use Cases for Power Apps
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Custom dashboards for data visualization
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Real-time reporting from ERP systems
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Interactive data filtering and analysis tools
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Sales and revenue tracking applications
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Operational efficiency monitoring dashboards
Why Sourcetable is a Superior Choice for Business Intelligence
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Streamlined Data Integration
Sourcetable offers a unified platform that consolidates data from various services into a single, spreadsheet-like interface. This integration simplifies the process of data management compared to QlikView, which requires navigating through cloud-based or on-premises solutions.
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User-Friendly Interface
The spreadsheet-like interface of Sourcetable is intuitive, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. This approach contrasts with QlikView's associative engine and visual discovery, which may present a steeper learning curve for new users.
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Efficient Reporting and Analytics
Sourcetable simplifies reporting and analytics by providing a streamlined workflow, reducing the complexity typically associated with BI tools like QlikView and Power Apps.
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Real-Time Collaboration
While QlikView promotes collaboration, Sourcetable's spreadsheet format is inherently collaborative, allowing for immediate and real-time action and decision-making without the need for specialized on-premises or cloud-based deployments.
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Comparing QlikView and Power Apps
QlikView and Power Apps are both tools designed to enhance business productivity through advanced data handling and application development. They share similarities in their aim to democratize technology within organizations by empowering users to manage data and create solutions without deep technical expertise.
QlikView and Power Apps are both tools designed to enhance business productivity through advanced data handling and application development. They share similarities in their aim to democratize technology within organizations by empowering users to manage data and create solutions without deep technical expertise.
Intuitive User Interfaces
Both QlikView and Power Apps provide intuitive interfaces that facilitate visual discovery and ease of use. QlikView's associative engine enables intuitive visual discovery of data, while Power Apps offers a straightforward approach to app design, streamlining the creation process.
Deployment Flexibility
QlikView offers deployment flexibility, with options for both cloud-based SaaS with Qlik Cloud Analytics and on-premises solutions with Qlik Sense. Power Apps also supports various deployment scenarios, allowing users to build apps that can be used across different platforms and environments.
Real-Time Collaboration
Both platforms emphasize real-time collaboration and action. QlikView facilitates this through its analytics capabilities, while Power Apps provides a collaborative environment for app development and sharing.
Empowering Users
QlikView puts business intelligence in the hands of more people, and Power Apps similarly empowers a wider range of users to develop applications. Both tools aim to make advanced technology accessible to non-technical users.
AI Integration
AI-powered insights are a part of QlikView's offering, enhancing human intuition with machine intelligence. Power Apps also incorporates AI capabilities, enabling users to build intelligent and adaptive applications.
QlikView vs Power Apps
Deployment and Integration
QlikView offers both on-premises and cloud-based SaaS deployments, providing flexibility for organizations with varying needs. In contrast, Power Apps primarily focuses on a cloud-based approach, with deep integration into the Microsoft ecosystem.
Data Processing and Analytics
QlikView uses an associative engine for data analysis, which allows for intuitive visual discovery and real-time collaboration. Power Apps, while enabling app development with data analytics features, does not have a primary focus on associative data modeling.
User Interface and Discovery
The visual discovery in QlikView is geared towards business intelligence, aiming to make it accessible to a broader range of users. Power Apps provides a more generalized platform for app development, with a focus on ease of use for building custom applications.
AI-Powered Insights
Qlik Sense, part of the QlikView family, uses AI to provide insights, enhancing human intuition. Power Apps leverages Microsoft's AI capabilities, but this is primarily within the context of app usage and workflow automation rather than in-depth analytics.
Real-Time Collaboration
Both Qlik Sense and QlikView are designed to facilitate real-time collaboration and action based on data insights. Power Apps focuses on collaboration in app development and use but does not specifically cater to collaborative data analysis.
Comparison of QlikView, Power Apps, and Sourcetable
QlikView vs. Power Apps
QlikView is an established analytics solution known for its associative engine, which facilitates intuitive visual discovery and data utilization. It supports both cloud-based SaaS and on-premises deployment, offering flexibility in data management and accessibility. QlikView integrates AI to enhance insights and supports real-time collaboration and action, allowing organizations to transition to active analytics.
Power Apps, on the other hand, is a suite of apps, services, connectors, and a data platform provided by Microsoft that enables the rapid development of custom business apps. Power Apps focuses on app development with minimal coding, leveraging the Microsoft Power Platform for integration with other Microsoft services. It does not inherently provide an associative engine or the same level of analytics as QlikView.
QlikView vs. Sourcetable
Sourcetable is a spreadsheet interface that connects to various data sources, allowing users to create workflows and analyses without deep technical knowledge. Unlike QlikView, which is primarily an analytics solution with a strong emphasis on its associative engine and AI-powered insights, Sourcetable is designed to simplify data consolidation and manipulation within a familiar spreadsheet environment. Sourcetable may not offer the same level of advanced analytics or real-time collaboration features found in QlikView.
Power Apps vs. Sourcetable
While Power Apps is tailored for building custom business applications that can connect to a variety of data sources, Sourcetable is a tool designed for straightforward data analysis and workflow management using spreadsheets. Power Apps enables users to automate processes and create rich user interfaces for data interaction, whereas Sourcetable operates more as a data organization and analysis tool without the extensive app development capabilities.
Common Features and Differences
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sourcetable
What is Sourcetable and who typically uses it?
Sourcetable is a spreadsheet application that allows users to access data from most 3rd party applications, centralize, analyze, and model data that updates over time without the need for coding. It is typically used by growth teams and business operations teams.
How does Sourcetable sync data and how often does it update?
Sourcetable syncs 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.
What are the pricing plans for Sourcetable and what does each include?
Sourcetable costs $50 per month for the starter plan and $250 per month for the pro plan. All plans include a 14-day free trial. The starter plan includes the first 5 users and each additional seat costs $20 per month.
Do users need to know how to code to use Sourcetable?
No, Sourcetable does not require any coding skills to use. Users can query data and build live models that automatically update.
How quickly can users start creating reports with Sourcetable?
Users can start creating reports with Sourcetable within minutes.
Qlikview Pricing Plans
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Standard Plan
The Qlikview standard plan is designed for a minimum of 20 full users. It includes a data analysis capacity of 25 GB per year. Users can connect and combine hundreds of data sources and utilize interactive data visualizations, dashboards, and AI-augmented analytics. Additionally, the standard plan offers capabilities for team collaboration, sharing, and 24x7 customer support.
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Premium Plan
Qlikview's premium plan builds upon the standard plan by offering 50 GB per year for data analysis. It includes automated report compilation, delivery, and the ability to connect additional data sources. This plan also features predictive analytics with automated machine learning, no-code automation builder triggers, and enterprise-grade data governance. A personalized customer success plan is part of the premium offering.
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Enterprise Plan
The enterprise plan is Qlikview's most extensive option, including all premium plan features with an increased data analysis capacity of 500 GB per year. It is tailored for organizations requiring large-scale data integration and advanced analytical capabilities.
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Capacity Monitoring
Qlikview provides alerts for users as they approach their capacity limit, ensuring uninterrupted service and data management.
Power Apps Pricing Overview
Power Apps Premium is priced at $20 per user per month. This plan includes 500 AI Builder service credits monthly. For additional AI Builder functionality, service credits are available for purchase at $500 per unit per month. Power Pages offer a separate pricing scheme at $200 per 100 users per site per month. The service limits permit Power Apps and Power Pages usage for assigned users without incurring extra costs beyond the licensing fees.
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Power Apps Premium is priced at $20 per user per month. This plan includes 500 AI Builder service credits monthly. For additional AI Builder functionality, service credits are available for purchase at $500 per unit per month. Power Pages offer a separate pricing scheme at $200 per 100 users per site per month. The service limits permit Power Apps and Power Pages usage for assigned users without incurring extra costs beyond the licensing fees.
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AI Builder Additional Credits
Users with increased AI requirements can buy extra AI Builder add-on units. Each unit is priced at $500 per month.
User Reviews and Ratings on QlikView
QlikView, a business intelligence tool, garners an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5. Its functionality is well-received with a 4.5 rating, while ease-of-use, customer support, and value for money each have a 4 rating. Users find QlikView versatile for data visualization and effective in combining data sources for complex reports. However, performance issues arise with large data volumes, including slow response times and delays in real-time data synchronization. Notably, QlikView lacks the functionality to export a list of all currently licensed users.
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QlikView, a business intelligence tool, garners an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5. Its functionality is well-received with a 4.5 rating, while ease-of-use, customer support, and value for money each have a 4 rating. Users find QlikView versatile for data visualization and effective in combining data sources for complex reports. However, performance issues arise with large data volumes, including slow response times and delays in real-time data synchronization. Notably, QlikView lacks the functionality to export a list of all currently licensed users.
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Functionality and Use
- QlikView excels in creating sales and inventory dashboards.
- Its data visualization options are appreciated, though not considered best in class.
- The tool's user interface is criticized as clunky, and it is deemed less user-friendly with certain data sources.
- Lack of R integration and limited capacity for detailed reporting are noted drawbacks.
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Usability and Community
- Despite being a powerful BI tool, QlikView's user interface is described as intuitive yet clunky.
- It is praised for its ease of implementation and in-memory processing speeds.
- The software has a strong user community online, including a support forum.
- QlikView is particularly lauded by students for thesis writing, providing significant value.
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Customization and Integration
- QlikView allows for report and process customization using VBA or other programming languages.
- It enables automated report distribution and creation, and includes scheduled batch jobs for ETL processes.
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Comparative Performance
- In comparison to other tools, QlikView is not as highly regarded for its visualization capabilities.
- When compared to Qlik Sense, Tableau, and PowerBI, QlikView is seen as less capable.
- Despite its shortcomings compared to competitors, QlikView is recognized for its speed and ease of use.
- Its cost is considered expensive, and it lacks the ability to write back to the database.
User Reviews of Power Apps
Power Apps have received critical feedback from users across various platforms. The consensus suggests a general dissatisfaction due to several core issues.
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Power Apps have received critical feedback from users across various platforms. The consensus suggests a general dissatisfaction due to several core issues.
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Common Criticisms
- Users find that Power Apps contain arbitrary limitations which hinder their functionality.
- There is a consensus that Power Apps offer half-functional graphical user interfaces (GUIs), complicating user interaction.
- Power Apps are often perceived as more complex than traditional web applications, leading to a steep learning curve.
- Users frequently describe Power Apps as janky, indicating a lack of smooth operation.
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Market Perception
Despite negative reviews, Power Apps remains a lucrative niche in the market. This hints at a demand for the functionality it purports to offer, even if the execution is not well-received.
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User Preferences
Given the choice, many users express a preference to custom code their applications rather than utilize Power Apps, highlighting a significant reluctance to adopt the platform.
Conclusion
In summary, Qlikview and Power Apps serve different business intelligence needs with their distinct features. Qlikview excels in data visualization and analytics, while Power Apps offers extensive customization capabilities for app development.
For businesses seeking an alternative, Sourcetable offers a simplified business intelligence solution. It provides real-time data syncing across services within a user-friendly spreadsheet interface.
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