Looker vs Microsoft Power BI: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Looker and Microsoft Power BI side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Microsoft Power BI leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Looker
Business intelligence platform
Best for you if:
- • You want LookML modeling layer
Microsoft Power BI
Visualize data, share insights, and ask questions with natural language
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Looker | Microsoft Power BI |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Not published | Free plan, paid from $10/user/mo, billed monthly Pro plan |
Category | Business Intelligence Analytics | Business Intelligence Data Visualization |
Rating | 4.0/5 G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.5 · Trustpilot 2.0 2,229 reviews | 4.6/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.5 3,548 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | Custom pricing for higher tiers requires direct negotiation. | Integration with other Microsoft services can increase overall spend |
Choose Looker or Microsoft Power BI?
Choose Looker if
- You want LookML modeling layer
- You want google Cloud integration
Choose Microsoft Power BI if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want free desktop version
- You want excel integration
In-Depth Analysis
Looker
Business intelligence platform
Looker's pricing is expensive, especially for smaller businesses, with the 'Standard' tier starting around $35,000 per year.
Watch out
Custom pricing for higher tiers requires direct negotiation.
Strengths
- Pro: LookML modeling layer
- Pro: Google Cloud integration
- Pro: Embedded analytics
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex setup
- Con: Expensive
Key features
Microsoft Power BI
Visualize data, share insights, and ask questions with natural language
Microsoft Power BI's pricing is very fair and competitive, especially with the free Desktop version and the Pro tier at $10/user/month offering essential sharing capabilities.
Watch out
Integration with other Microsoft services can increase overall spend
Strengths
- Pro: Free desktop version
- Pro: Excel integration
- Pro: Good value
Weaknesses
- Con: Best with Microsoft stack
- Con: Complex DAX language
Key features
Plans and prices: Looker vs Microsoft Power BI
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Looker |
| looker.com/pricingread Oct 3, 2026 |
| Microsoft Power BI |
| powerbi.microsoft.com/pricingread Oct 4, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Looker pricing and Microsoft Power BI pricing.
Key Takeaways
Looker
- Choose if you want business intelligence platform
Microsoft Power BI
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.0/5
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Microsoft Power BI leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Microsoft Power BI has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 2,229 reviews for Looker, 4.6/5 from 3,548 reviews for Microsoft Power BI).
- Microsoft Power BI starts at $10/user/mo, billed monthly; Looker has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Microsoft Power BI has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Looker and Microsoft Power BI compare in 2026?
On the data below, Microsoft Power BI leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Microsoft Power BI has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 2,229 reviews for Looker, 4.6/5 from 3,548 reviews for Microsoft Power BI). Microsoft Power BI starts at $10/user/mo, billed monthly; Looker has no public paid plan price on file. Only Microsoft Power BI has a free plan.
What are Looker and Microsoft Power BI used for?
Looker: Business intelligence platform. Microsoft Power BI: Visualize data, share insights, and ask questions with natural language.
What does Looker cost vs Microsoft Power BI?
Looker has no public paid-plan price on file. Microsoft Power BI's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $10/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 4, 2026.
What's the main difference between Looker and Microsoft Power BI?
Looker's main strength: LookML modeling layer. Microsoft Power BI's main strength: free desktop version.