Best business analytics tools to choose from in 2025

Business analytics tools make a lot of promises, but how can you be sure it’s the right fit for your business? 

As data leaders, it is your job to find an analytics solution that empowers your team to access actionable insights. If your current tools aren’t cutting it, it’s time to search for other alternatives.

What are business analytics tools?

Business analytics tools enables organizations to analyze data, uncover insights, and make data-driven decisions that drive performance and growth. By integrating multiple data sources, it provides real-time insights, predictive capabilities, and actionable recommendations to optimize operations.

With so many options available, choosing the right business analytics software can be overwhelming. We've done the digging, so you don’t have to. Here’s a list of 8 best business analytics tools:

7 best business analytics tools to choose from in 2025

We may be biased, but we’re confident that ThoughtSpot is the best business analytics solution, and we’re ready to show how it’s more advanced than any other tool on the market. Spotter, ThoughtSpot's AI Analyst, empowers business users to ask questions in natural language and receive instant answers, making data exploration accessible and intuitive to everyone.

ThoughtSpot stands out as a complete data intelligence platform that delivers trusted insights, anywhere, at the speed of business. Whether you are from marketing, sales, or operations, you can drill down from high-level analytics to the most granular insights, enabling you to move quickly to make the right decisions for your business.

Core features: 

• AI-powered analytics: ThoughtSpot’s standout feature is Spotter. Users, regardless of technical expertise, can type questions in plain English (like “What were our sales last month?”), and ThoughtSpot immediately generates visualizations and reports.

• Real-time insights with Liveboards: AI-augmented dashboards provide real-time, interactive, and endlessly-drillable, insights. You can apply filters, drill down into data, and see updates instantly. This is perfect for business teams that need up-to-date information to make decisions on the fly.

• Automated insights: ThoughtSpot’s AI algorithms not only help users find insights but also recommend next steps, such as predicting sales trends or highlighting anomalies in the data that may indicate problems or opportunities. For example, if a retail company’s sales suddenly drop, the system could flag the anomaly and help them investigate potential causes.

• Multiple data source integration: ThoughtSpot connects with top cloud data warehouses such as Snowflake, Google BigQuery, and Databricks, providing users with seamless access to a wide range of data sources. This allows organizations to gather insights across departments and data silos without heavy data engineering.

Pros:

• Easy for non-technical users to access insights with plain English queries.

• AI-driven suggestions and anomaly detection help users find insights they may have missed.

• Integrates seamlessly with top cloud data warehouses for quick data access.

Cons:

• May require training for advanced features.

Pricing

14-day free trial

• Essentials: $1250 /month (20 users)

• Pro: Custom

• Enterprise: Custom

Tableau is a legacy business intelligence and analytics tool launched in 2003 and then acquired by Salesforce in 2019. Known for its advanced analytical capabilities, Tableau allows analysts to prep data and organize it for visualization with a drag-and-drop interface. The company also has AI tools that help users in data preparation and analysis.

Core features: 

• Dashboard creation: Tableau enables users to create interactive dashboards that combine multiple visualizations, charts, and data sources into a cohesive view.

• Advanced visualizations: The platform offers a variety of advanced visualization options, such as scatter plots, heat maps, and tree maps, allowing users to represent complex data in meaningful ways.

• Report sharing: Tableau simplifies the process of sharing reports and dashboards with stakeholders. Users can easily publish their work to Tableau Server or Tableau Online.

• Trend analysis and report sharing: Tableau's trend analysis capabilities allow users to visualize data trends over time, helping them identify patterns and forecast future performance.

Pros:

• Offers interactive dashboards that enhance data analysis.

• Provides extensive customization options for visualizations.

• Integrates with numerous data sources.

Cons:

• The complexity of features can be challenging for new users.

• Performance may suffer with very large datasets.

• High licensing costs can be a barrier for small to medium-sized businesses.

Pricing

14-day free trial

• Tableau Creator - $75.00/user/month

• Tableau Explorer - $42.00/user/month

• Tableau Viewer - $15.00/user/month

Qlik Sense is a unified BI platform that helps users explore and analyze data. The platform is known for its data modeling capabilities and flexible deployment options. Users can deploy it on-premise or in the cloud and connect it to multiple sources for data-driven decision-making. This business analytics software equipped with ML capabilities, users can get recommendations, build visualizations, and gain access to insights. 

Core features: 

• Flexible deployment options: Qlik Sense provides various deployment choices, including on-premises, cloud, and hybrid setups.

• Intuitive interface for reporting and dashboard creation: The user interface of Qlik Sense is designed to be user-friendly, enabling users to create reports and dashboards easily.

• ML capabilities: Qlik Sense includes machine learning capabilities that assist in data analysis. These features automate tasks, identify patterns, and provide recommendations based on historical data.

• Real-time data monitoring: Users can monitor data in real-time, tracking metrics and KPIs as they occur.

Pros:

• The design is straightforward, making it easier for non-technical users to create reports.

• Qlik Sense connects with various data sources, enabling efficient consolidation and analysis of data from different platforms.

• Users can track metrics in real time, allowing for prompt responses to changes in business conditions.

Cons:

• While basic functions are easy to use, advanced features may require more training.

• The licensing and operational expenses can be high.

• Customizing certain visualizations may be restricted compared to other business intelligence tools.

Pricing

30-day free trial

• Qlik Sense Business - $30/user/month

• Qlik Sense Enterprise SaaS - Variable

Domo is a cloud-based business analytics platform that lets you transform raw data into interactive visualizations. With AI capabilities, the platform allows you to ask complex questions, make future predictions, and perform what-if scenarios. The low-code interface allows users to connect data from multiple databases, build dashboards, and embed analytics. 

Core features: 

• Data preparation: The platform includes tools for cleaning and organizing data from various sources.

• Low-code interface for creating dashboards: A low-code interface is available, enabling users to build dashboards and reports without needing extensive coding skills.

• AI-assisted insights: Artificial intelligence is integrated to aid data analysis. Users receive AI-generated insights that help identify trends, patterns, and anomalies.

• Live data analysis: Access to real-time data analysis allows users to monitor metrics and performance indicators instantly.

Pros

• The platform is designed with a low-code, drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible for users with varying technical skills.

• Domo provides live data monitoring, allowing users to make decisions based on the most current information.

• The integration of AI helps in identifying trends and generating actionable recommendations.

Cons

• Domo can be relatively expensive compared to other business analytics tools

• Customization features for visualizations may be more limited than those offered by competitors.

• Some users report slower performance when dealing with extremely large datasets or complex queries.

Pricing

30-day free trial

• Standard - Custom

• Enterprise - Custom

• Business Critical - Custom

Power BI is Microsoft’s data visualization and business analytics tool that comes with a drag-and-drop interface to allow users to extract insights and gain data context. It connects with all Microsoft products and offers AI capabilities to help users with dashboard building. Power BI users can clean data, define relationships, and create dimensions for better exploration. 

Core features: 

• Data preparation: The platform includes tools for cleaning and organizing data from various sources. Users can transform raw data into a usable format, ensuring it's accurate and consistent.

• Advanced analytics: Users can compare data across different time periods to identify trends and anomalies. Data modeling helps define relationships between data sources for deeper analysis.

• AI-assisted insights: The platform has an AI assistant 'Copilot' that gives users AI-generated insights that help identify trends, patterns, and anomalies.

• Data modeling: Power BI’s calculation language, DAX, helps data teams model their data and perform complex data analysis tasks.

Pros

• Power BI has a drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible for users with varying technical skills.

• The platform integrates smoothly with Microsoft services like Excel and Azure, making it ideal for organizations already using these tools.

• Power BI's AI assistant 'Copilot' generates automated insights and visualizations. enhancing user experience.

Cons

• Power BI's performance can degrade when handling large datasets, especially with complex calculations or transformations.

• The built-in Power Query Editor lacks the advanced functionality of dedicated ETL tools like Alteryx or SSIS.

• Despite its user-friendly approach, challenges may arise when performing deeper analysis, particularly due to a steeper learning curve.

Pricing

• Power BI Desktop - Free

• Power BI Pro - $10/user/month

• Power BI Premium per user - $20/user/month

• Power BI Embedded - Variable

MicroStrategy is another business analytics software that offers compatibility with multiple data sources. Users can connect to cloud warehouses, build dashboards, share reports, and embed analytics in apps to streamline workflows and analyze large datasets. Microstrategy recently announced a set of AI features powered by OpenAI that helps users get more insights about their existing KPIs. 

Core features: 

• Multi-cloud connectivity: MicroStrategy supports integration with various cloud platforms, allowing users to connect and access data from multiple cloud environments.

• AI/ML features: The platform incorporates AI capabilities to enhance data analysis. These features assist users in automating insights, identifying patterns, and making predictions.

• Interactive dashboards and reporting: MicroStrategy provides interactive, real-time dashboards and reports that allow users to visualize data dynamically.

• Embedded analytics: MicroStrategy allows organizations to embed analytics within their applications or websites. This enables businesses to integrate data visualization and reporting functionalities directly into their workflows/

Pros 

• MicroStrategy can connect to various cloud platforms, providing flexibility in data management and integration.

• MicroStrategy supports embedding analytics into applications, enhancing user experience, and making insights readily available.

• It offers advanced analytics features, enabling users to perform in-depth data analysis and gain actionable insights.

Cons

• The platform can be complex to navigate, especially for users without technical backgrounds, which may require additional training.

• The tool may require significant computing resources, which can lead to performance issues if not properly managed.

• The tool may require significant computing resources, which can lead to performance issues if not properly managed.

Pricing

30-day free trial

• Other plans - Custom

Metabase is an open-source business analytics tool that lets users write queries, build visualizations, and embed analytics into applications or websites. With features like drill-throughs, filters, and custom clicks, you can spot anomalies, analyze trends, and get insights. The platform also offers an SQL query builder and editor that allows power users to run multiple queries and generate reports. 

Core features: 

• Query builder: The query builder allows users to create queries through a graphical interface, enabling them to select tables, fields, and conditions to generate data outputs.

• SQL editor: The SQL editor enables users to write and execute raw SQL queries directly. This feature allows for complex queries and detailed customization.

• Data modeling: Data modeling allows users to define relationships between different data tables, creating a unified view of the data.

• Embedded analytics: Metabase supports embedded analytics, enabling users to integrate visualizations and reports into their applications or websites.

Pros

• As an open-source tool, Metabase allows organizations to customize and extend its features according to their specific needs.

• Users can quickly set up Metabase and connect it to various data sources, reducing the time needed to start analyzing data.

• The platform enables users to create interactive dashboards and visualizations that facilitate data storytelling.

Cons

• Metabase may lack some advanced analytics capabilities found in more comprehensive BI tools, which could be a limitation for data-heavy organizations.

• As data volume increases, users might experience slower performance, particularly in complex queries or large dashboards.

• The platform offers basic data preparation features, but it may not provide the depth required for complex data transformations.

Pricing

• Open Source - Free

• Starter - $85/month + $5/user (First 5 users included)

• Pro - $500/month + $10/user (First 10 users included)

• Enterprise - Custom

Benefits of business analytics tools

Business analytics software offers significant advantages for organizations looking to harness their data for better decision-making and improved performance. Here are some key benefits:

• Empower business users: Modern business analytics tools are designed with user-friendly interfaces that allow employees at all levels to analyze data without requiring technical expertise. This democratizes access to insights, enabling faster, data-driven decisions across the company.

• Real-time insights: Companies can analyze data as it’s generated, providing immediate insights into operations, customer behavior, or market trends. This is especially valuable for industries where quick responses can lead to competitive advantages, like retail and finance.

• Process optimization: Business analytics tools help identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in operations, leading to streamlined processes and reduced costs. For example, in manufacturing or supply chain management, real-time analytics can optimize resource allocation and improve productivity.

• Scalability: As businesses grow, their data needs evolve. Scalable business analytics platforms can handle increasing data volumes and complexity, ensuring that companies continue to gain valuable insights as they expand their operations.

• Collaboration across teams: Business analytics software fosters collaboration by providing a shared platform where teams can access and analyze the same data. This unified approach ensures that departments such as marketing, sales, and finance can work together effectively, driving more cohesive strategies.

How to choose the right business analytics tools

Selecting the right business analytics software is crucial for maximizing the value of your data and empowering your teams to make informed decisions. Here are key factors to consider when choosing a solution:

1. Identify your business needs

Start by evaluating your specific business requirements. Consider the types of data you work with, the level of analysis needed, and the end users—whether they are non-technical business users or data scientists. Defining these needs will help you focus on tools that align with your goals.

2. Ease of use

A user-friendly interface is essential, especially if non-technical users will be leveraging the software. Look for platforms that offer intuitive, self-service features, so employees across all departments can access and analyze data without heavy reliance on IT or data teams.

3. Integration capabilities

Your business analytics software should integrate seamlessly with the systems and databases you already use. Whether it's a CRM, ERP, or marketing automation tool, strong integration capabilities ensure you can pull data from multiple sources for comprehensive analysis.

4. AI capabilities

Evaluate the software's AI features, such as natural language processing and machine learning algorithms. These capabilities can enhance data analysis by providing predictive insights, automating data preparation, and enabling users to interact with data using conversational queries.

5. Real-time and predictive analytics

Consider whether your organization needs real-time insights or predictive analytics to stay ahead in a competitive environment. Tools like ThoughtSpot offer AI-driven predictive insights, allowing companies to anticipate future trends and act proactively.

6. Customization and scalability

Choose a platform that can be customized to fit your unique business processes and can scale as your company grows. If you're a fast-growing company, selecting software that scales with your data needs is critical to ensure long-term usability.

7. Collaboration features

Ensure the software has robust collaboration capabilities, enabling multiple teams to share insights and reports easily. This fosters a more data-driven culture across departments like marketing, sales, and finance, encouraging cohesive decision-making.

8. Security and compliance

Data security is a top priority. Make sure the software adheres to industry regulations, especially if you're in highly regulated industries like finance or healthcare. Look for features like role-based access, encryption, and audit trails to protect sensitive data.

9. Cost vs. value

While it's tempting to go for the most affordable option, the real value lies in how well the software meets your needs and helps drive business outcomes. Balance cost with the software’s ability to deliver meaningful insights, scalability, and ease of use.

10. Support and training

Vendor support and training are essential to ensure successful implementation and user adoption. Check for available resources such as online tutorials, customer support, or even custom training programs that help your team get the most out of the tool.

Keep a pulse on important metrics with a true self-serve solution

While the business analytics solutions we have explored above offer unique capabilities, only one solution supports a true self-service analytics use case. ThoughtSpot’s AI-Powered Analytics solution lets everyone leverage data and build successful strategies. Sign up for our no-commitment, 14-day trial and usher in a new era of data analytics.