Microsoft Power BI vs. Sigma Computing

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
Sigma
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Sigma Computing headquartered in San Francisco provides a suite of data services such as code free data modeling, data search and explorating, and related BI and data visualization services.N/A
Pricing
Microsoft Power BISigma Computing
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Microsoft Power BISigma
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional DetailsContact us for pricing.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Microsoft Power BISigma Computing
Considered Both Products
Microsoft Power BI

No answer on this topic

Sigma
Chose Sigma Computing
I'd rate Sigma to be extremely similar to Sisense except it looks not as nice. I would say that as a tool, Sigma is more user-friendly than Tableau, Power BI, Trevor, and Metabase.

I do feel that Looker is far more powerful and looks great, but I also recognize that Looker does …
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma computing has better pricing than the competitors. We're always looking for what is good for the price but also gives us all we need to complete our reporting. It also brings about a lot of updates that are nice to see. The embedding helps other BI tools sometimes.
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma is the easiest to use from a workbook developer perspective, and from a non-technical end user perspective. Everything from administration, semantic layer setup, to creating dashboards is easier in Sigma than these other tools. Developing content in Sigma is enjoyable, …
Chose Sigma Computing
I have found that Tableau can be used to create a greater variety of custom and complex visuals, though these visuals are far more difficult to create in a quick turnaround. While Sigma may be more limited in terms of what types of visuals can be create or how customized they …
Chose Sigma Computing
Less visually appealing. Feels like fewer pixels. Harder to make graphs and visuals. Really good integration with Snowflake and intuitive usage for custom equations and filters.
Chose Sigma Computing
2 biggest reasons for Sigma were easy of use for power users, and cost of having a large amount of viewers of the data.
Chose Sigma Computing
sorta in the middle.
One thing that differs than Domo or power bi, is that those softwares bring in the data into the platform, instead of how sigma runs a query against our data warehouse each time a user interacts with the dashboard (there is some small caching, so not always)
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma is by far the best. It is easiest to learn and easiest to use on a day to day basis. I never have to wait for dashboards to load and it's very easy to understand the variables that are going into my visualizations. Best of all I can manipulate the data within Sigma …
Chose Sigma Computing
flexibility, works really well with Snowflake, export capability, level of support, the fact that Sigma Computing is a start up and improving so quickly. Web based software
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma is user-friendly and target non technical users as well.
Sigma focuses on native cloud integration.
Sigma Computing also emphasizes collaboration, enabling multiple users to work together on the same data sets and share insights.
Chose Sigma Computing
microstrategy is too complex and expecting data warehouse in perfect Snowflake layout, otherwise all automated joins are getting messed up. Power BI requires to do tons of complex DAX transformations for even getting simple answers and has power limitations.
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma beats them all in terms of ease of use and interface. Tableau is more customizable than Sigma, particularly with custom graphics. Sigma is far more feature-rich than Metabase as a basic reporting tool. Sigma makes PowerBI look like a 1980s desktop tool. Dataiku is more …
Chose Sigma Computing
ease of implementation , easy to train the resources to get used to the tool as it has very user friendly user interface, the 14 days trial where sales and sigma technical team helped us understand the advantages and the helpline chat which is always helpful . licensing when it …
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma isnt as strong in Scripting compared to above but with the seamless integration with Snowflake I can utilize the full power of SQL, Python etc.

Sigma also doesn't have a 3rd party marketplace to get visualizations and other customizations compared to these products
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma offered a novel approach to data analysis with its Excel-like functionality.
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma still has a long ways to go compared to Power BI or Tableau. There needs to be more functionality features added to Sigma.
Chose Sigma Computing
We selected Sigma computing because it fully integrates with Snowflake (the platform our data currently sits on), and with Sigma, we don't need external technical resources. We have full control over our product development.
Chose Sigma Computing
N/A - I was not part of selection process.
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma Computing is the best at adaptability in terms of how easy it is for an organization to adopt and derive value from without being technically apt.
Chose Sigma Computing
Not involved in the selection process.
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma was chosen for three reasons. 1. Excel-like workflow. Many of our researchers have a background in excel, and the excel-like workflow Sigma offers enabled them to get up and running quickly. 2. Embeds. We can easily embed dashboards into our SAS platform 3. Price. Sigma …
Chose Sigma Computing
The decision to move to Sigma was mainly a business decision based on cost, as the vast majority of our users are external customers of ours. Sigma is basically on par with the others for its core functionality but still falls short in pure customization options. Additionally, …
Chose Sigma Computing
Sigma Computing was our top choice due to the ease of use of the platform for end users doing self-exploration of data. The structure of the platform for how datasets are created and access provisioned was much better than other products we considered. Sigma Computing may not …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Microsoft Power BISigma Computing
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
Sigma Computing
7.2
157 Ratings
13% below category average
Pixel Perfect reports6.6118 Ratings7.0100 Ratings
Customizable dashboards8.1138 Ratings7.7155 Ratings
Report Formatting Templates7.3126 Ratings7.1127 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
Sigma Computing
7.8
160 Ratings
4% below category average
Drill-down analysis7.3138 Ratings8.5150 Ratings
Formatting capabilities6.5137 Ratings7.3157 Ratings
Integration with R or other statistical packages7.6102 Ratings7.35 Ratings
Report sharing and collaboration7.0134 Ratings8.2156 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
Sigma Computing
8.8
150 Ratings
5% above category average
Publish to Web8.2128 Ratings9.299 Ratings
Publish to PDF8.2121 Ratings8.1124 Ratings
Report Versioning7.3101 Ratings9.4114 Ratings
Report Delivery Scheduling8.6103 Ratings9.2127 Ratings
Delivery to Remote Servers6.873 Ratings8.364 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
Sigma Computing
6.4
143 Ratings
23% below category average
Pre-built visualization formats (heatmaps, scatter plots etc.)7.6130 Ratings7.3141 Ratings
Location Analytics / Geographic Visualization7.8121 Ratings5.626 Ratings
Predictive Analytics7.5101 Ratings6.218 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
Sigma Computing
-
Ratings
Multi-User Support (named login)8.2120 Ratings00 Ratings
Role-Based Security Model8.8102 Ratings00 Ratings
Multiple Access Permission Levels (Create, Read, Delete)8.3110 Ratings00 Ratings
Report-Level Access Control7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Single Sign-On (SSO)8.694 Ratings00 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
Sigma Computing
-
Ratings
Responsive Design for Web Access8.0111 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile Application7.493 Ratings00 Ratings
Dashboard / Report / Visualization Interactivity on Mobile7.5112 Ratings00 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
Sigma Computing
-
Ratings
REST API8.172 Ratings00 Ratings
Javascript API9.556 Ratings00 Ratings
iFrames8.055 Ratings00 Ratings
Java API7.946 Ratings00 Ratings
Themeable User Interface (UI)8.263 Ratings00 Ratings
Customizable Platform (Open Source)8.344 Ratings00 Ratings
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User Ratings
Microsoft Power BISigma Computing
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(140 ratings)
8.8
(164 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
7.9
(5 ratings)
Usability
8.9
(56 ratings)
7.3
(48 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(2 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
8.0
(52 ratings)
8.9
(45 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(2 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Microsoft Power BISigma Computing
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
Sigma Computing
Its a great tool to have. The ability to come in the morning and by using the report being able see how the day will go. Seeing the goal and the current inventory and also to be able to adjust as the day goes on. With the report updates the report as changes to the inventory happen live or if any issues arise. being able to see that live and being to react quickly.
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
Sigma Computing
  • Allows end users to easily dive into the data without having direct access to the table in our database management software.
  • Can easily turnaround dashboards that are detailed and visually pleasing.
  • Sigma is intuitive and as new features are rolled out it is easy to adopt and incorporate them into new and existing dashboards.
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
Sigma Computing
  • Viewer level license is quite limited. These users can't download data or even add filters on datasets. Something to keep in mind.
  • Directly querying the underlying data warehouse will lead to increased usage. Not a big deal on something like Redshift, but your Snowflake consumption will increase, potentially by a lot.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Microsoft
I find it helpful and easy to use
Read full review
Sigma Computing
Sigma has helped us a lot and has become an integral part of our daily workflow. It would be difficult to switch to another platform and have to rebuild the numerous metrics and performance reports that we have already established
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
Sigma Computing
It has a clean and modern interface. However, it is not completely intuitive. I think it would be better and easier to navigate with more Windows style drop down menus and/or tabls. There is a significant learning curve, but that may be due in part to the technical nature of this type of software tool.
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Sigma Computing
Yes, as long as you don’t conduct user error sigma is always up and running and waiting for you to complete your dashboards
Read full review
Performance
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Sigma Computing
It depends, it loads quickly for smaller dashboards but when loading larger amounts of data it takes more time to do so
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
Sigma Computing
Support team is helpful in answering questions and providing help with using the UI. There are knowledgeable people within the support team. There are also good online support tools. There are significant community support resources available. There is however lack of a live support. It would be useful to have live phone number or chat to use.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Sigma Computing
Was not involved in implementation
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
Sigma Computing
Sigma is by far the best. It is easiest to learn and easiest to use on a day to day basis. I never have to wait for dashboards to load and it's very easy to understand the variables that are going into my visualizations. Best of all I can manipulate the data within Sigma very easily. In these other platforms data manipulation is difficult or must be done in the data warehouse
Read full review
Scalability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
Sigma Computing
It is a cloud service offering that is able to expand based on your usage
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
Sigma Computing
  • Monitoring health of cloud platform has allowed the company to anticipate issues before they affect customers – Sigma prompted us building a canary monitoring process that provides customer container health.
  • Customer success has used an activity report to discover customers running runaway processes that they were unaware of, creating an alert to contact the customer and prevent an embarrassing situation.
  • Customer success uses the activity report to prompt conversations regarding increases or declines in behavior that led to increasing contract limits or addressing churn concerns.
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

Sigma Screenshots

Screenshot of Custom calculations that can be added to tables and visualizations – no SQL skills necessary.Screenshot of Visualization tableScreenshot of Custom bins to drive complex cohort analysis built without SQL code.Screenshot of Complex cohort analyses built without code.Screenshot of Lookups provide familiar spreadsheet functionality to business users.Screenshot of A Sigma Workbook, that brings together spreadsheets, charts, and data narratives onto a live, collaborative canvas.