Microsoft Power BI vs. MicroStrategy Analytics

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Microsoft Power BI
Score 8.3 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Power BI is a visualization and data discovery tool from Microsoft. It allows users to convert data into visuals and graphics, visually explore and analyze data, collaborate on interactive dashboards and reports, and scale across their organization with built-in governance and security.
$10
per month per user
MicroStrategy Analytics
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
MicroStrategy Analytics is an enterprise business analytics and mobility platform. Key features include automatic big data analysis and reporting, data discovery and visualization, digital security credentials, and support for mobile devices.N/A
Pricing
Microsoft Power BIMicroStrategy Analytics
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Microsoft Power BIMicroStrategy Analytics
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsMust contact sales team for pricing information.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Microsoft Power BIMicroStrategy Analytics
Considered Both Products
Microsoft Power BI
Chose Microsoft Power BI
Although both MicroStrategy and Cognos currently offer better business analytical capabilities, Power BI is an excellent option to extend the use of this type of solutions to a greater number of users due to its low cost.
Chose Microsoft Power BI
Even though Power BI is not the only tool we use, is the most powerful one! Its easiness to integrate information and directly import queries makes it super easy to set up and start using it. Also, it's much faster handling a lot of data compared to other products like microstra…
Chose Microsoft Power BI
Power BI from a price perspective is the lowest cost (probably even from a total cost of ownership perspective) of all the offerings I have ever evaluated. The piece that really stands out for Power BI is the data transformation layer called Power Query. This section allows you …
Chose Microsoft Power BI
We selected Power BI because we could push a single source out to a group of people for instant viewing and reporting. They could select from pre-created filters that we selected, but also land on a default view. It's intuitive to use and gets the job done in an enterprise …
Chose Microsoft Power BI
Cost-effective but has a lot of features to offer. The perfect tool to build reports and dashboards with a large amount of data and complex data modeling. End users do not require much knowledge to get used to the tool. Regular updates from Microsoft to add new features and has …
Chose Microsoft Power BI
[Microsoft] Power BI was really the natural choice at Microsoft technology based organizations I have worked for. The cost and integration into existing Microsoft technologies was the primary driver.
Chose Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft BI tool does a better job than most of the other software. The reason is excellent visualizations and its capability to connect with various other software and data sources. Tableau does a better job when it comes to tutorials and being more user-friendly. Also …
Chose Microsoft Power BI
Much easier learning curve and integration with Microsoft Office gives it a leg up. People not knowing they have it, believe it or not, is limiting it's usage. Microsoft really needs to market it!
MicroStrategy Analytics
Chose MicroStrategy Analytics
  • Standardized & optimized data repository resulting in better pricing strategy and increase in revenue & profitability
  • Better decision making capability and efficient on-boarding of end users through a near real-time reporting platform
  • Four major investor segmentation reports for …
Chose MicroStrategy Analytics
Microstrategy has a more centralized vision, the new version is making an approach to Tableau or Power BI in the data preparation and fast creation of data visualization. QlikView is maybe similar in the vision to centralize the administration. Microstrategy analytics is the …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Microsoft Power BIMicroStrategy Analytics
BI Standard Reporting
Comparison of BI Standard Reporting features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
7.3
138 Ratings
12% below category average
MicroStrategy Analytics
10.0
26 Ratings
20% above category average
Pixel Perfect reports6.6118 Ratings10.023 Ratings
Customizable dashboards8.1138 Ratings10.023 Ratings
Report Formatting Templates7.3126 Ratings10.024 Ratings
Ad-hoc Reporting
Comparison of Ad-hoc Reporting features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
7.1
139 Ratings
13% below category average
MicroStrategy Analytics
10.0
24 Ratings
21% above category average
Drill-down analysis7.3138 Ratings10.022 Ratings
Formatting capabilities6.5137 Ratings10.024 Ratings
Integration with R or other statistical packages7.6102 Ratings10.016 Ratings
Report sharing and collaboration7.0134 Ratings10.023 Ratings
Report Output and Scheduling
Comparison of Report Output and Scheduling features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
7.8
133 Ratings
7% below category average
MicroStrategy Analytics
10.0
23 Ratings
18% above category average
Publish to Web8.2128 Ratings10.022 Ratings
Publish to PDF8.2121 Ratings10.023 Ratings
Report Versioning7.3101 Ratings10.020 Ratings
Report Delivery Scheduling8.6103 Ratings10.022 Ratings
Delivery to Remote Servers6.973 Ratings10.05 Ratings
Data Discovery and Visualization
Comparison of Data Discovery and Visualization features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
7.6
135 Ratings
6% below category average
MicroStrategy Analytics
10.0
22 Ratings
21% above category average
Pre-built visualization formats (heatmaps, scatter plots etc.)7.6130 Ratings10.020 Ratings
Location Analytics / Geographic Visualization7.9121 Ratings10.019 Ratings
Predictive Analytics7.5101 Ratings10.018 Ratings
Pattern Recognition and Data Mining00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Access Control and Security
Comparison of Access Control and Security features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
8.2
126 Ratings
5% below category average
MicroStrategy Analytics
10.0
21 Ratings
15% above category average
Multi-User Support (named login)8.2120 Ratings10.019 Ratings
Role-Based Security Model8.8102 Ratings10.020 Ratings
Multiple Access Permission Levels (Create, Read, Delete)8.3110 Ratings10.020 Ratings
Report-Level Access Control7.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Single Sign-On (SSO)8.694 Ratings10.09 Ratings
Mobile Capabilities
Comparison of Mobile Capabilities features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
7.9
117 Ratings
1% below category average
MicroStrategy Analytics
9.7
19 Ratings
20% above category average
Responsive Design for Web Access8.0111 Ratings10.019 Ratings
Mobile Application7.493 Ratings10.015 Ratings
Dashboard / Report / Visualization Interactivity on Mobile7.5112 Ratings10.019 Ratings
Application Program Interfaces (APIs) / Embedding
Comparison of Application Program Interfaces (APIs) / Embedding features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Power BI
8.4
80 Ratings
6% above category average
MicroStrategy Analytics
10.0
8 Ratings
23% above category average
REST API8.172 Ratings10.06 Ratings
Javascript API9.556 Ratings10.07 Ratings
iFrames8.055 Ratings10.05 Ratings
Java API7.946 Ratings10.04 Ratings
Themeable User Interface (UI)8.263 Ratings10.05 Ratings
Customizable Platform (Open Source)8.344 Ratings10.06 Ratings
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User Ratings
Microsoft Power BIMicroStrategy Analytics
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(140 ratings)
9.9
(47 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
9.9
(27 ratings)
Usability
8.9
(56 ratings)
3.2
(5 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(2 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
8.0
(52 ratings)
2.2
(5 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(5 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(4 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(2 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Microsoft Power BIMicroStrategy Analytics
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft
In operations we use the tool for many different topics, from factory quality systems to high level reviews. We have created kind of an internal "App Store" based on Power BI where you have a lot of different dashboards for different solutions (cost, cash, health and safety, sales, factories, distribution centers...) and you as an user just need to get in that "App Store" and enter in whatever tool can be useful for you. It is open to all the operations employees and can use on demand. Also it has raised the imagination of our colleagues, as they are not only working by themselves creating new reports, but also raising fantastic ideas that can be extended for the usage of all the community.
Read full review
MicroStrategy
MSTR is great for any organization that is looking for a way to deliver complicated data in an uncomplicated way. From business teams to marketing and finance, several departments benefit from using MSTR to keep track of KPIs enabling teams to make optimizations along the way. MSTR provides great visual representations of data enabling team members to distill thousands of data points into easily digestible charts and graphs
Read full review
Pros
Microsoft
  • Quickly filter and view granular data sets with easily configurable reporting figures.
  • The ability to quickly switch between tabs allows for historical data comparisons and progress tracking.
  • It's helpful to dive into the data and break it down from high levels to small.
  • Achieve actionable insights faster by using real-time data. It's incredible to have online access to reports.
Read full review
MicroStrategy
  • They sell the product well, and make promises you will actually believe
  • "checks the box" for most features a company would need. Doesn't actually deliver them though
  • They answer the phone in a timely manner. Can't answer your questions or provide support, but the queue time isn't bad
  • They have online documentation. It's not up to date, and likely doesn't reflect the version of software you are using, but hey... they can point to it.
Read full review
Cons
Microsoft
  • The desktop app is great but needs a lot of performance improvements
  • No MacOS Version for the Desktop app, this is a big limitation for business since executives prefer Macs
  • Premium Cloud Version of Power BI is awfully expensive
  • On-Premise Version of the Power BI Reports Server is bundled only with SQL Server Enterprise License and cannot be purchased separately and requires Software Assurance Subscription
  • On-Premise Power BI Report Server doesn't support ADFS, AzureAD or any Claims-Based authentication platform, a sad disadvantage for enterprises
Read full review
MicroStrategy
  • The graph options are not as robust as an Excel user might want.
  • The metadata layer can sometimes be slower, and it takes a long time for reports to run.
  • Viewing the data feed entered can be cumbersome at times, in terms of validation with reports.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Microsoft
I find it helpful and easy to use
Read full review
MicroStrategy
I would always choose to renew MicroStrategy as long as they lead the market in features, functionality and price. The support of MicroStrategy is timely and professional, I frequently get answers to my questions within 24 hours and normally have solutions within 48 hours. Training available for MicroStrategy completely covers everything required to be able to expertly use MicroStrategy and understand data warehousing.
Read full review
Usability
Microsoft
At this point, I think we all know who has taken the lead in the business intelligence and analytics market worldwide. With fresh new updates every other day on top of an already robustly built product with all features that one can dream of is a no brainer, I feel. Microsoft will invariably be synonymous with quality and professionalism.
Read full review
MicroStrategy
The standard grid reporting could look more like the styling and object used for the Import and Visual Insight products. In addition, object properties almost seem to be hidden when first using the product. It's as if they are asking the engineers to only use the presets we make available...and, these presets are 10+ years old. On the positive side, Microstrategy seems to be the only product, not named Cognos, which can scale to Big Data. The product is "hackable" via the SDK or tricking the Intelligence Server to do uncommon things. The Microstrategy development team also seems to be very involved with their OEM partners; especially when it comes to features and enhancements. A large majority of the improvements we suggested have made it into the product or on the roadmap for future enhancements. Only suckas fall for the shiny objects from most other vendors; Microstrategy is really the only choice for Enterprise BI.
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Reliability and Availability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
MicroStrategy
I've never had an issue with MicroStrategy not being available due to MicroStrategy application malfunction. It is very robust and only failures I've seen were due to user error or the platform the machine running the service failed some how.
Read full review
Performance
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
MicroStrategy
Being able to customize the performance based on the business need is extremely powerful. Proper configuration and understanding of the usage pattern is key, if the technical ability of the architect is not at top level, then the product will not be configured correctly which will lead to poor performance.
Read full review
Support Rating
Microsoft
I can't really speak to the support overall, [but] I will say that in the almost three years I have used the system, I have only needed to contact their support team once. I think the team was helpful, but it did take some time for us to resolve the issues/ request that they had. I guess the good news is that the system is pretty stable, and I personally have rarely needed to contact their technical support team.
Read full review
MicroStrategy
Good user community. Support team is available if you are under AMC. You get decent support after raising the support ticket. If it is product bug they will inform you and let you know which patch will resolve the same.
Read full review
Online Training
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
MicroStrategy
I have attended many trainings offered by MicroStrategy; both distance and in-person training. I earned my CRD (Certified Report Developer) certification via the online training. I found the training to be well organized and concise. Overall I will definitely continue to increase my knowledge with MicroStrategy via the online training offering.
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Implementation Rating
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
MicroStrategy
We measured following KPI for the success
  • Increase in Business Feeds Loads
  • Reduction in Controllers Manual Work.
  • Conversion of Manual Work into Systematic Workflows.
  • Increase in Customer Spend
  • Reduction in Service costs
  • Reduction in time-to-market for new campaigns
  • Increase in cross sell and Up sell
  • Error reduction in customer Identification
  • Existing client retained
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Microsoft
[Microsoft] Power BI is practical and effective, like a hammer for a nail, it is easy to use and produces very quickly the results that in most cases are urgently required by clients (nice reports to share on the web). To start using [Microsoft] Power BI you need a business email address, with that you create an account in Power BI Service and in less than 1 hour you will have installed Power BI Desktop, a report will have been created and it will have been published on the web .
Read full review
MicroStrategy
Tableau is probably MicroStrategy Analytic's biggest competitor I've noticed over time, and I'm not sure why. Tableau only covers visualizations independently for each business user, which then creates the issues of every employee creating their own version of the data, and then you have 20 versions of the truth. A enterprise data warehouse and MicroStrategy's Visual Insight is a better method.
Read full review
Scalability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
MicroStrategy
This software is extremely scaleable, one can add more core servers which performs as a load balancing. The configurations available to manage usage patterns and daily activity are as high a caliber as any other enterprise level software. This product can be installed on both a windows and unix platform allow for integration on a budget.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Microsoft
  • It helps us track and achieve company goals.
  • It shows us [our] performance in areas we could not previously track and allows us to see and work on how to improve their performance.
  • Quick easy access for executives to use in helping teams and addressing issues.
Read full review
MicroStrategy
  • MicroStrategy was helpful for reducing the amount of time we needed to spend number crunching large data sets, and in doing so, allowed me as the primary users to spend more time gleaning insights from the data that in turn informed our leadership team to make strategic decisions.
  • By creating numerous canned reports available to all members of the team through email distribution or basic access to the platform, we were able to reduce the time I spent showing people how to pull the data in Microsoft Excel by nearly 40% .
  • We ended up needing to make many changes to the way our DMP was feeding data into MicroStrategy due to incorrect reporting that caused complications in accounting and finance.
Read full review
ScreenShots

Microsoft Power BI Screenshots

Screenshot of Microsoft Power BI - Turns insights into impact for business usersScreenshot of Power BI integrates easily with Microsoft 365Screenshot of Microsoft Power BI - AI-Powered CapabilitiesScreenshot of Microsoft Power BI - Copilot can be used to create reportsScreenshot of Microsoft Power BI - Data HubScreenshot of Microsoft Power BI - Scales as organizational needs grow