What users are saying about
Microsoft Power BI
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Top Rated
1343 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.4 out of 100
Based on 1343 reviews and ratings
548 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 7.9 out of 100
Based on 548 reviews and ratings
Feature Set Ratings
- Microsoft Power BI ranks higher in 2 feature sets: Data Discovery and Visualization, Access Control and Security
- SAP Crystal ranks higher in 4 feature sets: BI Standard Reporting, Ad-hoc Reporting, Report Output and Scheduling, Mobile Capabilities
- Microsoft Power BI and SAP Crystal are tied in 1 feature set: Application Program Interfaces (APIs) / Embedding
BI Standard Reporting
8.4
Microsoft Power BI
84%
8.8
SAP Crystal
88%
SAP Crystal ranks higher in 2/3 features
SAP Crystal ranks higher in 2/3 features
Pixel Perfect reports
8.1
81%
120 Ratings
8.4
84%
111 Ratings
Customizable dashboards
9.0
90%
139 Ratings
8.9
89%
98 Ratings
Report Formatting Templates
8.2
82%
127 Ratings
9.1
91%
116 Ratings
Ad-hoc Reporting
8.4
Microsoft Power BI
84%
8.7
SAP Crystal
87%
SAP Crystal ranks higher in 3/4 features
SAP Crystal ranks higher in 3/4 features
Drill-down analysis
8.7
87%
139 Ratings
8.3
83%
116 Ratings
Formatting capabilities
8.0
80%
138 Ratings
8.9
89%
134 Ratings
Integration with R or other statistical packages
8.1
81%
104 Ratings
8.5
85%
64 Ratings
Report sharing and collaboration
8.6
86%
135 Ratings
9.2
92%
119 Ratings
Report Output and Scheduling
8.4
Microsoft Power BI
84%
9.1
SAP Crystal
91%
SAP Crystal ranks higher in 5/5 features
SAP Crystal ranks higher in 5/5 features
Publish to Web
9.0
90%
129 Ratings
9.1
91%
90 Ratings
Publish to PDF
8.9
89%
121 Ratings
9.3
93%
132 Ratings
Report Versioning
7.9
79%
101 Ratings
8.9
89%
94 Ratings
Report Delivery Scheduling
8.5
85%
104 Ratings
9.1
91%
96 Ratings
Delivery to Remote Servers
7.5
75%
76 Ratings
9.1
91%
51 Ratings
Data Discovery and Visualization
8.3
Microsoft Power BI
83%
7.9
SAP Crystal
79%
Microsoft Power BI ranks higher in 3/3 features
Microsoft Power BI ranks higher in 3/3 features
Pre-built visualization formats (heatmaps, scatter plots etc.)
8.5
85%
131 Ratings
7.6
76%
51 Ratings
Location Analytics / Geographic Visualization
8.5
85%
122 Ratings
8.4
84%
75 Ratings
Predictive Analytics
8.0
80%
103 Ratings
7.8
78%
42 Ratings
Access Control and Security
8.8
Microsoft Power BI
88%
8.5
SAP Crystal
85%
Microsoft Power BI ranks higher in 3/4 features
Microsoft Power BI ranks higher in 3/4 features
Multi-User Support (named login)
8.8
88%
121 Ratings
8.2
82%
81 Ratings
Role-Based Security Model
8.8
88%
104 Ratings
8.1
81%
79 Ratings
Multiple Access Permission Levels (Create, Read, Delete)
8.6
86%
112 Ratings
8.5
85%
79 Ratings
Single Sign-On (SSO)
9.0
90%
95 Ratings
9.1
91%
38 Ratings
Mobile Capabilities
8.4
Microsoft Power BI
84%
8.5
SAP Crystal
85%
SAP Crystal ranks higher in 2/3 features
SAP Crystal ranks higher in 2/3 features
Responsive Design for Web Access
8.6
86%
113 Ratings
8.8
88%
62 Ratings
Mobile Application
8.3
83%
100 Ratings
7.9
79%
46 Ratings
Dashboard / Report / Visualization Interactivity on Mobile
8.3
83%
114 Ratings
8.9
89%
57 Ratings
Application Program Interfaces (APIs) / Embedding
8.0
Microsoft Power BI
80%
8.0
SAP Crystal
80%
Microsoft Power BI ranks higher in 3/6 features
Microsoft Power BI ranks higher in 3/6 features
REST API
8.3
83%
73 Ratings
7.4
74%
8 Ratings
Javascript API
8.2
82%
57 Ratings
8.5
85%
34 Ratings
iFrames
8.0
80%
56 Ratings
7.1
71%
8 Ratings
Java API
7.7
77%
47 Ratings
8.9
89%
34 Ratings
Themeable User Interface (UI)
7.9
79%
63 Ratings
8.2
82%
37 Ratings
Customizable Platform (Open Source)
7.9
79%
46 Ratings
7.7
77%
30 Ratings
Attribute Ratings
- Microsoft Power BI is rated higher in 1 area: Support Rating
- SAP Crystal is rated higher in 2 areas: Likelihood to Recommend, Usability
- Microsoft Power BI and SAP Crystal are tied in 1 area: Likelihood to Renew
Likelihood to Recommend
8.6
Microsoft Power BI
86%
141 Ratings
9.0
SAP Crystal
90%
157 Ratings
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
Microsoft Power BI
100%
1 Rating
10.0
SAP Crystal
100%
19 Ratings
Usability
8.6
Microsoft Power BI
86%
57 Ratings
9.3
SAP Crystal
93%
28 Ratings
Availability
Microsoft Power BI
N/A
0 Ratings
8.0
SAP Crystal
80%
2 Ratings
Performance
Microsoft Power BI
N/A
0 Ratings
8.0
SAP Crystal
80%
2 Ratings
Support Rating
8.5
Microsoft Power BI
85%
53 Ratings
8.0
SAP Crystal
80%
36 Ratings
In-Person Training
Microsoft Power BI
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
SAP Crystal
100%
1 Rating
Implementation Rating
Microsoft Power BI
N/A
0 Ratings
8.8
SAP Crystal
88%
28 Ratings
Product Scalability
Microsoft Power BI
N/A
0 Ratings
7.0
SAP Crystal
70%
1 Rating
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft Power BI
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.
Global Digital Operations Manager - BA Electrification
ABBMechanical Or Industrial Engineering, 10,001+ employees
SAP Crystal
Generation of templated reports is the strong suit of SAP Crystal. Allows users to change formats in templates bases on requirement with minimal effort.Automated report delivery requires the user to be aware of sql which cannot be expected from all users.Should support more document export formats and improve the UI for SAP B1 Users
Officer
TOYOTA TSUSHO INDIA PVT LTDAutomotive, 501-1000 employees
Pros
Microsoft Power BI
- 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.
Information Technology Business Consultant
Alfa NET+Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
SAP Crystal
- Crystal Reports allows us to create a consistent template for all of our reports.
- Crystal Reports and Server allows us to house a repository for all of our reports to make them easy to find and update when necessary.
- Crystal Reports can connect to a wide variety of data sources.
- Crystal Reports can be a little daunting when first implementing. There are a lot of nuances in learning how to truly master this software and it can be frustrating at times.

Verified User
Analyst in Information Technology
Construction Company, 10,001+ employeesCons
Microsoft Power BI
- 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

Verified User
C-Level Executive in Information Technology
Information Technology & Services Company, 201-500 employeesSAP Crystal
- The export of reports to Excel is very cumbersome and the results are difficult to format.
- The design of reports and the graphical features (e.g. charts) feel quite rigid.
- The learning curve for a non-programmer is incredibly steep, making Crystal a specialty tool.
Business Development Manager
MEDIAPAKT ASMarketing and Advertising, 11-50 employees
Pricing Details
Microsoft Power BI
General
Free Trial
Yes
Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
$9.99 per month
Microsoft Power BI Editions & Modules
Edition
Power BI Pro | $9.991 |
---|---|
Power BI Premium | $20.001 |
Power BI Premium | $4,995.002 |
- Per User/Per Month
- Per Capacity/Per Month
Additional Pricing Details
—SAP Crystal
General
Free Trial
Yes
Free/Freemium Version
Yes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Yes
Entry-level set up fee?
Optional
Starting Price
$295 per single user license
SAP Crystal Editions & Modules
Edition
SAP Crystal Reports 2020 64-Bit | $4951 |
---|---|
Upgrade Version to SAP Crystal Reports 2020 | $2951 |
SAP Crystal Reports 2016 32-Bit | $4951 |
SAP Crystal Server 2020 1 NUL | $8692 |
SAP Crystal Server 2020 5 CAL | $8,7443 |
- per single user license
- per user license + first year maintenance to be added
- 5 concurrent users + first year maintenance to be added
Additional Pricing Details
* SAP Crystal Reports 2020 Viewer allows you to view static data within a SAP Crystal Reports file. * SAP Crystal Reports 2020 - Full version allows you to create powerful, richly formatted, and dynamic reports from virtually any data source, delivered in dozens of formats, in up to 28 languages. If you already have an older version of Crystal Reports, buy a license for SAP Crystal Reports 2020 - Upgrade at a discounted, upgrade price. * SAP Crystal Server 2020, 1 NUL includes 1 license of: SAP Crystal Reports 2020 - SAP Crystal Server 2020. * As an add-on to SAP Crystal Server 2020 1 NUL, SAP Crystal Server 2020 5 CAL allows you to support a wider, intermittent audience of end users, up to five logged on at the same time.Likelihood to Renew
Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI 10.0
Based on 1 answer
I find it helpful and easy to use
Freelance Photographer
j. paroly photoGraphic Design, 1-10 employees
SAP Crystal
SAP Crystal 10.0
Based on 19 answers
We have been using this product for so many years and it has truly become a cornerstone to our business processes when it comes to developing and distributing information via reports. We currently have over 500 reports developed to date over about 30 systems and that will continue to grow as user needs change.

Verified User
Project Manager in Information Technology
Information Technology and Services Company, 10,001+ employeesUsability
Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI 8.6
Based on 57 answers
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.
Marketing Associate
Mercer-MettlInformation Technology and Services, 501-1000 employees
SAP Crystal
SAP Crystal 9.3
Based on 28 answers
Crystal is very robust, but not always easy to use. It create wonderful looking reports, and so deserves a high rating. However, I have to take a couple of points off for the simple fact that I cannot hand it to a user and expect them to be able to do development with it.
SQL Database and Business Intelligence Manager
Ten CateTextiles, 1001-5000 employees
Support Rating
Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI 8.5
Based on 53 answers
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.
Senior Customer Success Manager (Strategic Accounts)
TipaltiFinancial Services, 201-500 employees
SAP Crystal
SAP Crystal 8.0
Based on 36 answers
The support community can be difficult to navigate. I've also run into issues with my login. The SAP system has a bizarre mechanism for validating users that requires users to have what is called an S-ID. A basic ID may not give you access to all the features in the portal. The limitation may include not being able to perform a simple task like downloading patches and updates. This isn't a big deal for single user license but for teams it can be a pain.
Clinical Informatics Consultant
Symphony Post-Acute NetworkHospital & Health Care, 1001-5000 employees
In-Person Training
Microsoft Power BI
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
SAP Crystal
SAP Crystal 10.0
Based on 1 answer
Trainer was patient and thorough in going through the basics and willing to answer questions by email after the initial training

Verified User
Administrator in Finance and Accounting
Retail Company, 11-50 employeesImplementation Rating
Microsoft Power BI
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
SAP Crystal
SAP Crystal 8.8
Based on 28 answers
Just like any other implementation: When designing the differing reports, get end users' input, make sure to design the reports so that they display the information that the company requires, in the best and clearest way possible.
Test, test, test, revise when needed, and, particularly, do sufficient training so users are comfortable using Crystal Reports!
System Administrator
North South Supply IncWholesale, 11-50 employees
Alternatives Considered
Microsoft Power BI
[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 .
Lead Consultant - Solutions Architect - Software Engineer
Ghia & Associates Engineering and Consulting GroupComputer Software, 1-10 employees
SAP Crystal
Crystal reports is useful in case we want to import data from data base . We can write queries in it but Google Charts require to be implemented in our application using code so crystal reports is better than Google Charts.

Verified User
Employee in Corporate
Telecommunications Company, 10,001+ employeesReturn on Investment
Microsoft Power BI
- 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.
Process Manager
Okland ConstructionConstruction, 501-1000 employees
SAP Crystal
- It is a decent buy for specific departments in terms of reporting capabilities but updates and cost (frequent) demands are higher with the benefits offered.
- So long as the requirements are not ever changing, with scheduling functionality, it's a handsome tool.
Assistant Vice President
HSBC Commercial BankingFinancial Services, 10,001+ employees