Microsoft Power BI vs Lightdash: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Microsoft Power BI and Lightdash comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Microsoft Power BI
Business analytics service
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • Microsoft BI for everyone
- • Excel-like interface, enterprise power
Lightdash
Open-source BI for dbt projects
Best for you if:
- • Lightdash is an open-source BI tool that connects to dbt projects
- • It creates dashboards and visualizations directly from dbt metrics
| At a Glance |  Microsoft Power BI |  Lightdash |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Business Intelligence | Business Intelligence |
Rating | 88/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Microsoft Power BI | Lightdash |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Business IntelligenceData Visualization | Business IntelligenceData Visualization |
How Microsoft Power BI and Lightdash Compare
Microsoft Power BI
Business analytics service
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Lightdash
Open-source BI for dbt projects
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Microsoft Power BI
Want the highest-rated option?
Microsoft Power BI: 88/100. Lightdash: 80/100.
Go with: Microsoft Power BI
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Microsoft Power BI
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are business intelligence tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Microsoft Power BI scores higher: 88/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft Power BI
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Lightdash
The Bottom Line
Microsoft Power BI (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microsoft Power BI or Lightdash better?
Microsoft Power BI scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Microsoft Power BI and Lightdash used for?
Microsoft Power BI: Business analytics service. Lightdash: Open-source BI for dbt projects.
What does Microsoft Power BI cost vs Lightdash?
Microsoft Power BI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Lightdash is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.