Choosing the right Power BI license is a crucial step in fully leveraging the potential of analytical tools within an organization. Different versions of the software offer varying levels of functionality, tailored to the needs of both individual users and large teams.
In this article, we compare Power BI Basic and Power BI Pro to help you determine which option best suits your organization’s requirements.
Types of Power BI Licenses
Power BI offers three main licenses: Power BI Basic, Power BI Pro, and Power BI Premium; however, in this article, we will compare only two types:
Power BI Basic is a free option designed for individual users. It allows for local report creation and analysis but lacks sharing capabilities. It’s ideal for small businesses that don’t require advanced collaboration.
Power BI Pro provides full Power BI functionality, including creating, sharing, and collaborating on reports. This license suits businesses needing advanced analytics tools and seamless teamwork.
Power BI Basic (Free Version)
Power BI Basic offers access to core Power BI features at no cost. Users can create dashboards and reports using Power BI Desktop and publish them to the Power BI service. However, advanced collaboration and integrations are unavailable.
Limitations of Power BI Basic:
- Users can’t share reports or collaborate with others.
- Features like Premium workspaces are not available.
- Basic users cannot integrate with apps like Teams or SharePoint.
This license is suitable for individual users requiring basic analytics tools but without the need for team collaboration or advanced features.
Power BI Pro
Power BI Pro enables full collaboration and access to all Power BI features. With this license, users can create, publish, and share reports within and outside their organization, ensuring effective teamwork. It also supports real-time data sharing and advanced analytics.
Benefits of Power BI Pro:
- Full collaboration – share reports, participate in real-time sessions, and use advanced features like commenting and co-authoring.
- Advanced analytics tools -process larger datasets and leverage more sophisticated analytics functionalities.
- Seamless Microsoft integration – full integration with Microsoft products like Teams and Office 365 enhances organizational collaboration.
Power BI Pro is ideal for medium to large organizations requiring advanced analytics, collaboration, and Microsoft ecosystem integration.
Power BI pricing comparison
- Power BI Basic – free.
- Power BI Pro – approx. €9.40 per user/month.
The choice of license should align with an organization’s specific needs and the number of users requiring Power BI access.
When to choose Power BI Pro?
Power BI Pro is ideal for medium to large organizations that need advanced features such as collaboration, integration with Microsoft tools, and sophisticated data analysis. This license is especially beneficial for companies looking to manage reports efficiently, share them with teams, and maintain control over data security.
Additionally, businesses already utilizing Microsoft 365 and related products will benefit from seamless integration with Power BI Pro.
Summary
The decision between Power BI Basic and Power BI Pro depends on the organization’s specific needs. Power BI Basic is suitable for users not requiring collaboration or advanced analytics, whereas Power BI Pro caters to companies needing robust collaboration, scalability, and Microsoft product integration.
If your organization requires advanced analytical tools and full collaboration capabilities, Power BI Pro is the optimal solution to manage data effectively and make strategic business decisions.
Contact us for expert guidance on selecting the right solution.
