Quick Overview
- 1#1: Tableau - Tableau enables users to create highly interactive and customizable data visualizations and dashboards from various data sources.
- 2#2: Microsoft Power BI - Power BI provides a comprehensive platform for building custom business intelligence dashboards with rich visualizations and AI insights.
- 3#3: Grafana - Grafana is an open-source platform for creating customizable monitoring dashboards with flexible panels and data source integrations.
- 4#4: Looker Studio - Looker Studio allows users to build interactive custom dashboards and reports directly from Google and other data connectors.
- 5#5: Retool - Retool is a low-code platform for rapidly building custom internal dashboards and tools with drag-and-drop components.
- 6#6: Metabase - Metabase offers an open-source BI tool for creating custom dashboards and SQL-based visualizations without coding.
- 7#7: Apache Superset - Apache Superset is an open-source data exploration platform for building scalable custom dashboards and advanced visualizations.
- 8#8: Sisense - Sisense delivers embedded analytics for creating fully customizable dashboards embedded in applications.
- 9#9: Plotly Dash - Dash by Plotly is a Python framework for building analytical web dashboards with custom interactive components.
- 10#10: Klipfolio - Klipfolio is a cloud dashboard platform for building real-time custom KPI dashboards from multiple data sources.
Tools were evaluated based on functionality (visualization flexibility, data integration), user experience (intuitive design, learning curve), reliability (performance, updates), and value (cost-effectiveness, scalability), ensuring a balanced mix of innovation and practicality for diverse needs.
Comparison Table
Selecting the right custom dashboard software requires weighing factors like visualization capabilities, integration options, and team workflow needs. This comparison table features leading tools such as Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, Grafana, Looker Studio, Retool, and more, examining their key features, strengths, and ideal use cases. Readers will gain actionable insights to choose the best fit for their projects, whether for data analysis, real-time monitoring, or collaborative reporting.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tableau Tableau enables users to create highly interactive and customizable data visualizations and dashboards from various data sources. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 2 | Microsoft Power BI Power BI provides a comprehensive platform for building custom business intelligence dashboards with rich visualizations and AI insights. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 3 | Grafana Grafana is an open-source platform for creating customizable monitoring dashboards with flexible panels and data source integrations. | other | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 4 | Looker Studio Looker Studio allows users to build interactive custom dashboards and reports directly from Google and other data connectors. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.9/10 |
| 5 | Retool Retool is a low-code platform for rapidly building custom internal dashboards and tools with drag-and-drop components. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Metabase Metabase offers an open-source BI tool for creating custom dashboards and SQL-based visualizations without coding. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Apache Superset Apache Superset is an open-source data exploration platform for building scalable custom dashboards and advanced visualizations. | other | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 8 | Sisense Sisense delivers embedded analytics for creating fully customizable dashboards embedded in applications. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Plotly Dash Dash by Plotly is a Python framework for building analytical web dashboards with custom interactive components. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.4/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Klipfolio Klipfolio is a cloud dashboard platform for building real-time custom KPI dashboards from multiple data sources. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
Tableau enables users to create highly interactive and customizable data visualizations and dashboards from various data sources.
Power BI provides a comprehensive platform for building custom business intelligence dashboards with rich visualizations and AI insights.
Grafana is an open-source platform for creating customizable monitoring dashboards with flexible panels and data source integrations.
Looker Studio allows users to build interactive custom dashboards and reports directly from Google and other data connectors.
Retool is a low-code platform for rapidly building custom internal dashboards and tools with drag-and-drop components.
Metabase offers an open-source BI tool for creating custom dashboards and SQL-based visualizations without coding.
Apache Superset is an open-source data exploration platform for building scalable custom dashboards and advanced visualizations.
Sisense delivers embedded analytics for creating fully customizable dashboards embedded in applications.
Dash by Plotly is a Python framework for building analytical web dashboards with custom interactive components.
Klipfolio is a cloud dashboard platform for building real-time custom KPI dashboards from multiple data sources.
Tableau
enterpriseTableau enables users to create highly interactive and customizable data visualizations and dashboards from various data sources.
VizQL technology that enables split-second visual analytics by compiling data queries and rendering pixels simultaneously for fluid, interactive dashboards.
Tableau is a leading data visualization and business intelligence platform that empowers users to create highly interactive, customizable dashboards from diverse data sources including databases, spreadsheets, and cloud services. It features a drag-and-drop interface for building sophisticated visualizations, enabling real-time data exploration and storytelling without extensive coding. Tableau supports advanced analytics like forecasting, trend analysis, and geospatial mapping, making it ideal for turning raw data into actionable insights. With robust sharing and collaboration tools, it facilitates enterprise-wide data-driven decision-making.
Pros
- Unparalleled visualization library with hundreds of chart types and customization options
- Seamless integration with 100+ data connectors for real-time and big data sources
- Powerful community resources, extensive training, and AI-driven insights like Einstein Discovery
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and calculations
- High cost, especially for large deployments
- Can experience performance lags with massive datasets without optimization
Best For
Enterprises, business analysts, and data teams requiring highly customizable, interactive dashboards for complex data storytelling and collaboration.
Pricing
Viewer: $15/user/month; Explorer: $42/user/month; Creator: $70/user/month (billed annually), plus Tableau Server/Cloud deployment fees starting at $15k/year.
Microsoft Power BI
enterprisePower BI provides a comprehensive platform for building custom business intelligence dashboards with rich visualizations and AI insights.
AI visuals and Q&A natural language querying for effortless dashboard insights without coding
Microsoft Power BI is a leading business analytics platform that allows users to connect to hundreds of data sources, transform data, and create highly interactive custom dashboards and reports. It excels in visualizing complex datasets through drag-and-drop interfaces, AI-driven insights, and real-time data updates. Power BI integrates deeply with the Microsoft ecosystem, enabling seamless collaboration and embedding in apps like Teams or SharePoint.
Pros
- Exceptional visualization library with AI-powered features like Key Influencers and natural language Q&A
- Seamless integration with Microsoft tools (Excel, Azure, Teams) and broad data connectivity
- Robust sharing, embedding, and enterprise-grade security with row-level security
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced DAX scripting and custom visuals
- Performance limitations with massive datasets without Premium capacity
- Some premium features locked behind higher-tier pricing
Best For
Enterprise teams and analysts in Microsoft environments needing scalable, interactive custom dashboards for data-driven decisions.
Pricing
Free tier for individuals; Pro at $10/user/month; Premium Per User $20/user/month or capacity from $5,000/month.
Grafana
otherGrafana is an open-source platform for creating customizable monitoring dashboards with flexible panels and data source integrations.
Seamless multi-data-source querying and visualization in a single dashboard
Grafana is an open-source platform for data visualization and monitoring that allows users to create highly customizable dashboards from diverse data sources like Prometheus, Loki, and Elasticsearch. It supports a wide range of panels including graphs, heatmaps, and tables, with features for alerting, annotations, and sharing. Grafana's plugin ecosystem extends its capabilities to hundreds of integrations, making it ideal for observability and analytics workflows.
Pros
- Extremely flexible and customizable dashboards with drag-and-drop panels
- Supports integration with virtually any data source via plugins
- Powerful alerting and annotation features for operational insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced configurations and querying
- Can be resource-intensive at scale without optimization
- Some enterprise features require paid licensing
Best For
DevOps teams and enterprises requiring sophisticated, multi-source monitoring dashboards.
Pricing
Core open-source version is free; Grafana Cloud offers a generous free tier with paid plans starting at $8/user/month; Enterprise edition provides self-hosted support.
Looker Studio
enterpriseLooker Studio allows users to build interactive custom dashboards and reports directly from Google and other data connectors.
Native real-time collaboration and embedding, allowing multiple users to edit dashboards simultaneously like Google Docs.
Looker Studio, formerly Google Data Studio, is a free web-based platform for creating interactive dashboards and data visualizations. It connects to over 800 data sources, including Google Analytics, BigQuery, Sheets, and third-party tools via connectors or partner integrations. Users can build custom reports with drag-and-drop controls, apply filters, and enable real-time collaboration for sharing insights across teams.
Pros
- Completely free with no usage limits
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick dashboard creation
- Seamless integrations with Google ecosystem and 800+ connectors
Cons
- Performance can lag with very large datasets
- Limited advanced modeling compared to enterprise tools like Tableau
- Custom visualizations require community extensions or code
Best For
Small to medium teams using Google Workspace who need an accessible, no-cost solution for interactive reporting and sharing dashboards.
Pricing
Entirely free for all users, with no paid tiers or limits.
Retool
specializedRetool is a low-code platform for rapidly building custom internal dashboards and tools with drag-and-drop components.
Universal query editor that supports natural language SQL generation and instant connections to any SQL/NoSQL database or REST/GraphQL API
Retool is a low-code platform that enables developers and technical teams to build custom internal tools, dashboards, and applications quickly. It connects seamlessly to databases, APIs, and SaaS tools, allowing users to create interactive UIs with drag-and-drop components, SQL queries, and JavaScript. Retool excels in rapid prototyping of admin panels, CRUD interfaces, and data visualization dashboards for internal use.
Pros
- Vast library of pre-built components and 50+ native integrations with databases and APIs
- Fast development with visual editor and custom JS for complex logic
- Strong security features including SOC 2 compliance and role-based access control
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users due to SQL/JS requirements
- Pricing scales quickly for large teams or high usage
- Limited advanced design customization compared to full-code frameworks
Best For
Developer-heavy teams or data engineers building scalable internal dashboards and tools connected to multiple data sources.
Pricing
Free plan for individuals; Team plan at $10/user/month (billed annually), Business at $50/user/month, Enterprise custom pricing.
Metabase
otherMetabase offers an open-source BI tool for creating custom dashboards and SQL-based visualizations without coding.
Visual native query builder that lets anyone build complex SQL queries and dashboards without coding
Metabase is an open-source business intelligence tool that allows users to connect to various databases, ask questions via a no-code query builder, and create interactive dashboards and visualizations. It supports SQL and NoSQL databases, spreadsheets, and cloud services like Google Analytics, enabling teams to explore data without deep technical expertise. Dashboards can be shared, embedded in apps, or set up with alerts for real-time insights. Ideal for turning raw data into actionable custom dashboards quickly.
Pros
- Free open-source self-hosted option with no user limits
- Intuitive drag-and-drop query builder for non-technical users
- Wide support for 15+ database types and easy embedding
Cons
- Performance can lag with very large datasets without optimization
- Lacks advanced AI/ML features compared to enterprise tools
- Complex customizations often require SQL knowledge
Best For
Small to mid-sized teams and startups needing an affordable, easy-to-deploy tool for custom data dashboards and self-service analytics.
Pricing
Free open-source self-hosted; Cloud Pro at $100/month (5 users, 10GB data), Enterprise custom pricing.
Apache Superset
otherApache Superset is an open-source data exploration platform for building scalable custom dashboards and advanced visualizations.
SQL Lab: A built-in, full-featured SQL IDE for writing, debugging, and visualizing complex queries with autocomplete and result exporting
Apache Superset is an open-source data exploration and visualization platform that allows users to connect to a wide variety of SQL-based data sources and build interactive dashboards with drag-and-drop charts. It features SQL Lab, a powerful SQL editor for ad-hoc querying and data preparation, along with support for slicing, dicing, and caching data for optimal performance. Highly extensible via plugins, Superset enables custom visualizations and semantic layers for advanced analytics workflows.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Supports 50+ data sources including SQL databases, BigQuery, and Snowflake
- Highly customizable with plugin architecture for charts and integrations
Cons
- Requires self-hosting and technical setup (Docker, Kubernetes recommended)
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users due to SQL-heavy interface
- Performance tuning needed for large-scale datasets
Best For
Data engineers and analysts in technical teams seeking a powerful, extensible, and free dashboarding tool for complex SQL-driven analytics.
Pricing
Free (open-source, self-hosted; enterprise support available via vendors)
Sisense
enterpriseSisense delivers embedded analytics for creating fully customizable dashboards embedded in applications.
Elasticube technology for ultra-fast, in-memory data processing on massive datasets
Sisense is a robust business intelligence platform specializing in custom dashboard creation, data visualization, and embedded analytics for complex datasets. It allows users to build interactive, pixel-perfect dashboards with drag-and-drop tools, AI-driven insights, and seamless integration across multiple data sources. The platform excels in handling big data through its Elasticube technology, enabling real-time querying and analysis without heavy preprocessing.
Pros
- Highly customizable dashboards with advanced visualization options
- Powerful AI and NLQ for intuitive data exploration
- Excellent scalability for big data and embedded analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- High pricing suitable mainly for enterprises
- Limited out-of-the-box templates compared to simpler tools
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises requiring sophisticated, embeddable custom dashboards for complex data analysis.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting around $25,000/year; contact sales for quotes, no public free tier.
Plotly Dash
specializedDash by Plotly is a Python framework for building analytical web dashboards with custom interactive components.
Pure Python callbacks for building reactive, multi-component dashboards without frontend coding
Plotly Dash is an open-source Python framework for building interactive web applications and custom dashboards without requiring JavaScript, HTML, or CSS expertise. It leverages Plotly's visualization library to create highly responsive charts, graphs, and data-driven interfaces that update in real-time via callbacks. Dash excels in analytical applications, integrating seamlessly with Python libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and Scikit-learn for data processing and machine learning workflows.
Pros
- Exceptional interactivity with callback-driven updates and real-time responsiveness
- Deep integration with Python's data science ecosystem for advanced analytics
- Open-source core that's completely free for development and basic deployment
Cons
- Requires solid Python programming knowledge, limiting accessibility for non-coders
- Steeper learning curve compared to drag-and-drop dashboard tools
- Production deployment often needs extra infrastructure like servers or Dash Enterprise
Best For
Data scientists, analysts, and developers seeking highly customizable, code-based interactive dashboards in Python.
Pricing
Free open-source version; Dash Enterprise starts at custom pricing (typically $1,500+/month per developer for production features).
Klipfolio
enterpriseKlipfolio is a cloud dashboard platform for building real-time custom KPI dashboards from multiple data sources.
Universal Connector for integrating any REST API or data source in minutes without coding
Klipfolio is a cloud-based dashboard platform that allows users to build fully customizable, real-time dashboards by connecting to over 100 native data sources, APIs, spreadsheets, and databases without coding. It features a drag-and-drop interface for creating interactive visualizations, metrics, and KPI tracking, with options for sharing, embedding, and mobile access. The tool excels in aggregating data from multiple SaaS applications into a single view, making it suitable for business intelligence without complex setups.
Pros
- Extensive library of pre-built connectors for quick integrations
- Real-time data updates and mobile-responsive dashboards
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for non-technical users
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Limited advanced data modeling and AI-driven analytics
- Occasional performance issues with very large datasets
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses and marketing/ops teams needing simple, real-time dashboards from diverse SaaS tools.
Pricing
Starts at $99/user/month (billed annually) for Starter plan; scales to $149+ for Standard/Advanced with more users and features; custom enterprise pricing.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools provide versatile options for creating custom dashboards, with Tableau leading as the top choice, celebrated for its highly interactive and customizable visualizations from various data sources. Microsoft Power BI stands out as a strong alternative with its comprehensive BI platform and AI insights, while Grafana excels as an open-source solution for flexible, monitoring-focused dashboards. Together, they cater to diverse needs, ensuring there’s a tool for every user.
Ready to transform your data? Start with Tableau to build dashboards that drive impactful decisions—its robust features make it the ideal choice to unlock your data's full potential.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison