Qlikview
tool icon

QlikView vs Sisense: A Comparative Analysis

Jump to

    Introduction

    Choosing the right business intelligence (BI) tool is crucial for effective data analysis and reporting. Qlikview and Sisense are both powerful options, each with its unique strengths and capabilities.

    While Qlikview offers robust data visualization and discovery tools, Sisense excels with its ability to handle large datasets and its advanced AI capabilities. However, businesses must consider their specific needs when selecting a BI tool.

    This comparison will delve into the functionalities of Qlikview and Sisense, helping organizations make an informed decision. Additionally, we'll explore how Sourcetable provides a modernized, spreadsheet-like interface that syncs with your data, serving as an alternative for business intelligence tasks like reporting and data analytics.

    Qlikview

    What is QlikView?

    QlikView is a guided analytics solution designed for developing and delivering analytic applications and dashboards. It employs an associative engine that facilitates on-the-fly data view generation, enabling dynamic data exploration. This tool compresses data to optimize storage and performance, allowing it to be held in memory for rapid access.

    • Guided analytics platform
    • Rapid development of applications and dashboards
    • Associative engine for dynamic data views
    • In-memory data compression
    • Concurrent data exploration for multiple users
    • Direct connection to data sources
    • Unconstrained by pre-defined drill paths
    tool icon

    What is Sisense?

    Sisense is an analytics platform designed to provide users with insights through data analysis. Its capabilities facilitate complex data examination, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions.

    Qlikview

    Key Features of QlikView

    Associative Engine

    The associative engine is the cornerstone of QlikView, enabling its unique data analysis capabilities.

    Intuitive Visual Discovery

    Intuitive visual discovery in QlikView allows for easy interpretation of complex data sets.

    Qlik Cloud Analytics

    Qlik Cloud Analytics is a SaaS deployment offering AI-powered insights and active analytics on a cloud platform.

    Qlik Sense Integration

    Qlik Sense complements QlikView with an on-premises analytics solution, further enhancing user-driven data exploration.

    tool icon

    Key Features of Sisense

    Sisense Fusion Platform

    The Fusion platform is a feature within Sisense that integrates disparate data sources for unified analytics.

    Sisense Compose SDK

    Sisense's Compose SDK enables customization of analytics applications for tailored user experiences.

    Qlikview

    Advantages of Using Qlikview for Business Intelligence

    Qlikview serves as a robust self-service BI tool, streamlining tasks such as reporting and data analytics. Its dynamic dashboards facilitate quick and efficient data interpretation, enhancing business intelligence operations.

    Efficiency in Data Analysis

    With visual and dynamic dashboards, Qlikview promotes rapid data analysis. Its in-memory technology boosts performance, while good data compression techniques ensure efficiency in handling large datasets.

    Collaboration and Decision Making

    Qlikview fosters collaboration among teams, enabling data-driven decision-making processes. Its simplicity in implementation allows for wider accessibility across organizational departments.

    Security and Performance

    Security is a cornerstone of Qlikview, ensuring data integrity and protection. The tool's speed and robust QIX Engine contribute to its high performance, benefiting time-sensitive business intelligence tasks.

    Cost-Effectiveness and Data Visualization

    Cost efficiency in Qlikview arises from its low overhead and powerful features. Superior data visualization capabilities allow for accessible insights, making it a valuable tool for businesses focused on cost-effective data handling.

    Qlikview

    Disadvantages of Using Qlikview for Business Intelligence

    Inefficiency in Real-Time Data Analysis

    Qlikview may not be the best option for businesses that require real-time data analysis due to potential inefficiencies in processing live data streams.

    Limited by RAM

    While having less RAM limitations compared to some tools, Qlikview may still encounter performance issues when dealing with large datasets, impacting data analysis tasks.

    Technical Expertise Required

    The need for technical expertise in application development can be a barrier for businesses without specialized IT staff, hindering the utilization of Qlikview for reporting and data analytics.

    Integration Challenges

    Embedding Qlikview with other software platforms can be problematic, potentially complicating the ecosystem of business applications.

    Customer Support Issues

    Businesses might experience difficulties with customer service, as Qlikview has been reported to have poor customer support.

    Outdated Tools and Interfaces

    The use of old tools and interfaces in Qlikview may lead to a less intuitive user experience, which can be a significant drawback for businesses aiming for modern analytics solutions.

    Cost Prohibitive for SMEs

    The expense associated with Qlikview can be a major disadvantage for small or medium-sized enterprises, making it a less viable option for these businesses.

    User Satisfaction

    Poor ratings in surveys may reflect lower user satisfaction, which could deter businesses from adopting Qlikview for their business intelligence needs.

    Qlikview

    Frequently Asked Questions About Qlikview

    Can QlikView handle large data sets?

    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 on large servers.

    How does QlikView join fields from different 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 data from text files and web pages?

    Yes, QlikView can use SQL-like syntax on text files, load fixed-record text files using the table file wizard, and read tables from web pages using the same wizard.

    How does QlikView handle updates to the data in a document?

    QlikView can update a document using incremental reloads, which allows for adding only new or changed data.

    Can QlikView restrict user access to a document?

    Yes, QlikView can limit who can use a document using section access.

    Use Cases for Qlikview

    • Qlikview

      Improving efficiency, customer service, and sales for a retail food chain

    • Qlikview

      Simplifying analytics through a company-wide portal for a financial software company

    • Qlikview

      Boosting operational success for a retail clothing company

    • Qlikview

      Lowering costs and reducing effort in the loan conversion process for a financial services firm

    tool icon

    Advantages of Using Sisense for Business Intelligence

    Efficiency in Reporting and Analytics

    Sisense enhances productivity by automating time-consuming reports and reducing report response time. The platform's ability to provide accurate and fast insights, coupled with its feature to track key performance indicators, streamlines the process of data analytics.

    Data Management and Integration

    With Sisense, businesses can centralize their data warehouse, reducing the complexity of handling vast datasets. The integration of dashboards for real-time feedback allows immediate analysis and decision-making.

    User Experience and Learning Curve

    The platform's user-friendly front end and intuitive nature make it quick to learn, ensuring a smooth adoption curve. Sisense's robust data modeling back-end supports complex queries, simplifying the user experience in handling intricate data tasks.

    Development and Implementation

    Sisense's versatility reduces development time compared to manual coding, facilitating easy implementation. This efficiency is bolstered by excellent customer service, ensuring that any implementation challenges are promptly addressed.

    Cost-Effectiveness

    By eliminating error-prone reporting and reducing the need for manual coding and web UI controls, Sisense proves to be a cost-effective solution for business intelligence needs.

    tool icon

    Disadvantages of Using Sisense for Business Intelligence

    User Experience Challenges

    Sisense's user interface falls short of being as intuitive as other BI tools, leading to a steeper learning curve for new users.

    Technical Issues

    Users have encountered problems with dashboards, widgets, and filters which can hinder the efficiency of reporting and data analysis.

    Cost Considerations

    The high expense of Sisense can be a significant drawback for businesses looking to manage BI costs effectively.

    Licensing Limitations

    Issues with licensing may arise, potentially adding complexity to the deployment of Sisense within an organization.

    Reliability and Performance

    Compared to competitors, Sisense is not as reliable or fast, which may impact timely decision-making.

    Data Visualization and Cube Management

    Sisense provides fewer data visualization options than other BI tools, limiting the ability to convey complex data insights. Additionally, cube management is less efficient, potentially complicating data analysis processes.

    tool icon

    Frequently Asked Questions About Sisense

    What are the system requirements for using Sisense?

    Sisense requires that JavaScript is installed and enabled and that cookies are enabled in your browser.

    Does Sisense offer any community support platforms?

    Yes, Sisense has a community forum with 5546 members and 6915 posts, a software developers forum, and a Discord server.

    What kind of resources does Sisense provide for user support?

    Sisense provides a knowledge base and a community forum with many popular conversations happening now for user support.

    Use Cases for Sisense

    • tool icon

      Data Visualization

    • tool icon

      Performance Monitoring

    • tool icon

      Data Analysis and Reporting

    • tool icon

      Predictive Analytics

    • tool icon

      Collaborative Business Intelligence

    sourcetable

    Why Sourcetable is a Superior Choice for Business Intelligence

    • Simplified Reporting and Data Analytics

      Sourcetable streamlines the process of reporting and data analysis by integrating data from multiple services into a user-friendly spreadsheet interface. This eliminates the complexity associated with traditional business intelligence tools, offering a straightforward solution for organizations seeking efficiency in data management.

    • Enhanced Data Synchronization

      Unlike Qlikview, which offers cloud-based and on-premises solutions, Sourcetable provides a seamless synchronization experience across various services. This synchronization ensures that data is up-to-date and consistent, enabling businesses to make informed decisions based on the latest information.

    • Intuitive Interface

      The spreadsheet-like interface of Sourcetable is inherently more accessible than the associative engines and visual discovery methods employed by Qlikview. It places the power of business intelligence directly into the hands of users without the need for specialized training.

    • Real-time Collaboration and Action

      While Qlikview facilitates real-time collaboration and action, Sourcetable enhances this capability through its intuitive interface. Teams can collaborate on data analysis in real-time, fostering a more dynamic and responsive decision-making environment.

    Qlikview
    vs
    tool icon

    QlikView vs Sisense Similarities

    QlikView and Sisense are both powerful analytics solutions that provide businesses with data visualization and business intelligence capabilities. They enable organizations to transform data into actionable insights through intuitive interfaces.

    Intuitive Visual Discovery

    Both QlikView and Sisense leverage intuitive visual discovery tools to help users interact with data and derive insights. Their interfaces are designed for ease of use, allowing more individuals within an organization to utilize business intelligence.

    Deployment Options

    QlikView and Sisense offer flexibility in deployment. QlikView can be deployed on-premises with solutions like Qlik Sense or in the cloud with Qlik Cloud Analytics, similar to Sisense's cloud-based and on-premises offerings. This provides organizations with the ability to choose a deployment that best fits their security, scalability, and infrastructure needs.

    Real-time Collaboration and Action

    Both platforms promote real-time collaboration and action. They allow teams to collaborate on data analysis and make informed decisions quickly, enhancing the decision-making process and operational efficiency.

    AI-Powered Insights

    QlikView and Sisense utilize artificial intelligence to augment human intuition with AI-powered insights. This technology helps to uncover hidden trends and patterns, making the analytics process more efficient and insightful.

    Qlikview
    vs
    tool icon

    Qlikview vs Sisense

    QlikView and Sisense are both analytics solutions, but they employ different architectures and technologies for data analysis. QlikView utilizes an associative engine for data processing which revolutionized organizational data usage, while Sisense's capabilities are not described here. QlikView's associative engine supports intuitive visual discovery, making data analysis more accessible to a wider audience.

    sourcetable

    Comparison of QlikView, Sisense, and Sourcetable

    QlikView

    QlikView is an analytics solution known for its associative engine that facilitates intuitive visual discovery of data. It was the first analytics solution offered by Qlik and allows both cloud-based SaaS with Qlik Cloud Analytics and on-premises deployments with Qlik Sense. QlikView integrates AI-powered insights and supports real-time collaboration and action. It is designed to make business intelligence more accessible to a wider audience.

    Sisense

    Sisense is a business intelligence tool that provides analytics and dashboarding capabilities. It enables the integration of data from multiple sources into a single repository for a unified view. Sisense offers an in-chip technology to speed up the data processing and uses AI to enhance analytics. It provides both cloud and on-premises deployment options.

    Sourcetable

    Sourcetable is a spreadsheet-based tool designed for data collation, analysis, and visualization. It allows users to connect to various data sources and create live data tables. Sourcetable is user-friendly and requires no coding knowledge, making it accessible for users with different skill levels. It is primarily cloud-based, focusing on simplicity and ease of use.

    Comparison

  • QlikView and Sisense cater to business intelligence needs but differ in their core technologies; QlikView uses an associative engine while Sisense uses in-chip technology.
  • Both QlikView and Sisense offer AI-powered insights, but QlikView emphasizes its intuitive visual discovery and real-time collaboration.
  • Sourcetable differs in being a more straightforward, spreadsheet-based tool, contrasting with QlikView's and Sisense's comprehensive analytics platforms.
  • All three provide cloud-based solutions, but QlikView and Sisense also offer on-premises deployment, which is suitable for organizations with specific data regulation needs.
  • QlikView and Sisense are aimed at a wide range of users and offer extensive data manipulation and visualization capabilities, while Sourcetable targets users who need simpler, spreadsheet-like analytics.
    • sourcetable

    Frequently Asked Questions About Sourcetable

    What is Sourcetable and who is it for?

    Sourcetable is a spreadsheet application that allows users to access data from most 3rd party applications, query data, and build live models that automatically update. It is typically used by growth teams and business operations folks who need to centralize, analyze, and model data that updates over time, without requiring any coding skills.

    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 plan include?

    Sourcetable costs $50 per month on the starter plan, which includes the first 5 users, and $250 per month on the pro plan. All plans come with a 14-day free trial, and additional seats can be added for $20 per month per user.

    How quickly can I start creating reports with Sourcetable?

    Users can start creating reports with Sourcetable within minutes.

    Does Sourcetable replace other tools and is coding required to use it?

    Sourcetable replaces workflows that are typically done in Excel, Google Sheets, and Business Intelligence tools, and no coding is required to use it.

    Qlikview

    Qlikview Pricing Overview

    • Standard Plan Features

      The Qlikview Standard Plan is designed for a minimum of 20 full users. It offers 25 GB/year of data analysis capacity and provides a comprehensive suite of features including data source connectivity, interactive visualizations, dashboards, and AI-augmented analytics. Collaboration tools and 24x7 customer support are also included.

    • Premium Plan Enhancements

      Upgrading to the Qlikview Premium Plan includes all Standard Plan offerings with an increased data analysis capacity of 50 GB/year. Additional features consist of automated report delivery, extended data source connections, predictive analytics with machine learning, no-code automation triggers, and enterprise-grade data governance.

    • Enterprise Plan Capabilities

      The Qlikview Enterprise Plan, suitable for larger organizations, encompasses all Premium Plan benefits and significantly expands data analysis capacity to 500 GB/year. It also provides a personalized customer success plan to ensure optimal utilization of Qlikview's capabilities.

    • Data Capacity Notifications

      Qlikview proactively alerts users as they approach their data capacity limit, enabling effective data management and avoiding unexpected overages.

    tool icon

    Sisense Pricing Overview

    • Self-Hosted Solution Cost

      Sisense offers a self-hosted solution that costs approximately $10,000 annually.

    • Cloud-Based Solution Cost

      For a cloud-hosted solution, Sisense charges around $21,000 per year, which includes access for five users.

    • Available Tiers

    • Basic
    • Business
    • Business+
    Qlikview

    User Reviews of QlikView

    • Overall Ratings and Specific Aspects

      QlikView has garnered an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5. This rating reflects its strong performance across various areas, including a 4.5 for functionality, indicating that users appreciate its capabilities. However, users have rated it a 4 for ease-of-use, customer support, and value for money, suggesting there are areas where QlikView could improve.

    • Functionality and Use Cases

      Users recognize QlikView as a powerful business intelligence tool, versatile in data visualization, and capable of creating complex reports by combining data sources. It is particularly helpful in developing sales and inventory dashboards. Despite its robust features, some users note that QlikView's data visualization options are not the best in class.

    • User Experience and Interface

      The interface of QlikView has been described as intuitive by some, yet others find it clunky and less user-friendly when working with data sources like BW and Big Data. The software's in-memory processing capability contributes to its speed, which users appreciate. However, with heavy data volumes, users experience slow response times and slight delays in real-time data sync.

    • Limitations and Comparisons

      While QlikView is recognized for its strengths, users note several limitations. For instance, QlikView does not allow exporting a list of all currently licensed users, write back to the database, or integrate R for advanced analytics. In terms of visualization capabilities and detailed reporting, it falls short compared to competitors like Qlik Sense, Tableau, and PowerBI.

    • Support and Community

      QlikView has a wide user group over the internet, with an active support forum, which is beneficial for problem-solving and sharing knowledge. This aspect is particularly great for students writing thesis and for those seeking to implement the tool and automate report distribution and creation.

    • Cost and Value

      Despite its high cost, users believe that QlikView provides a ton of value. The software is lauded for being fast at processing data and easy to implement. Additionally, the ability to customize reports and processes using VBA or other programming languages is a significant advantage for many users.

    tool icon

    User Reviews of Sisense

    • Embedded Analytics

      Users recognize Sisense as a robust tool for embedded analytics. Its capabilities in this area are frequently highlighted in reviews.

    • Comparative Analysis

      Reviews often compare Sisense with other analytics platforms like Tableau and Power BI, suggesting that users consider it alongside these established tools.

    • Implementation Success Stories

      There are accounts of successful implementations of Sisense from various users, indicating that some find it effective for their analytics needs.

    Conclusion

    In comparing Qlikview and Sisense for business intelligence, it's clear that each has its strengths. Qlikview offers rich data visualization and guided analytics, while Sisense excels in data integration and interactive dashboard capabilities.

    For those seeking a more simplified approach to business intelligence, Sourcetable may be a suitable alternative. It facilitates real-time data synchronization across various services into a spreadsheet interface that many users find familiar and easy to use.

    Recommended Reading



    Simplify Your BI Tooling

    Sourcetable is the AI spreadsheet that lets you analyze your data in one place. Get unlimited access free for 14 days.


    Try out Sourcetable
    Drop CSV