Microsoft Power BI vs Qlik: 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 Microsoft Power BI and Qlik 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 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:
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
Qlik
AI-powered analytics and robust data integration solutions for enterprise organizations.
Best for you if:
- • You want powerful BI platform
| At a Glance | Microsoft Power BI | Qlik |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $10/user/mo, billed monthly Pro plan | From $300/mo flat, billed yearly Starter plan |
Category | Business Intelligence Analytics | Business Intelligence Analytics |
Rating | 4.6/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.5 3,548 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.5 1,191 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | Integration with other Microsoft services can increase overall spend | Standard tier requires 20 full users minimum. |
Choose Microsoft Power BI or Qlik?
Choose Microsoft Power BI if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want free desktop version
- You want excel integration
Choose Qlik if
- You want powerful BI platform
- You want associative engine
In-Depth Analysis
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
Qlik
AI-powered analytics and robust data integration solutions for enterprise organizations.
Qlik's pricing is on the higher side, especially for smaller teams.
Watch out
Standard tier requires 20 full users minimum.
Strengths
- Pro: Powerful BI platform
- Pro: Associative engine
- Pro: Good analytics
- Pro: Enterprise features
- Pro: Data integration
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Complex licensing
- Con: QlikView vs Qlik Sense confusion
- Con: Implementation heavy
Key features
Plans and prices: Microsoft Power BI vs Qlik
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Power BI |
| powerbi.microsoft.com/pricing read Oct 4, 2026 |
| Qlik |
| qlik.com/us/pricing read Oct 15, 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 Microsoft Power BI pricing and Qlik pricing.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft Power BI
- Has a free plan
Qlik
- Choose if you want AI-powered analytics and robust data integration solutions for enterprise organizations
What the data shows
On the data below, Microsoft Power BI leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 3,548 reviews for Microsoft Power BI, 4.4/5 from 1,191 reviews for Qlik).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Microsoft Power BI $10/user/mo, billed monthly; Qlik $300/mo flat, billed yearly.
- 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 Microsoft Power BI and Qlik compare in 2026?
On the data below, Microsoft Power BI leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 3,548 reviews for Microsoft Power BI, 4.4/5 from 1,191 reviews for Qlik). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Microsoft Power BI $10/user/mo, billed monthly; Qlik $300/mo flat, billed yearly. Only Microsoft Power BI has a free plan.
What are Microsoft Power BI and Qlik used for?
Microsoft Power BI: Visualize data, share insights, and ask questions with natural language. Qlik: AI-powered analytics and robust data integration solutions for enterprise organizations.
What does Microsoft Power BI cost vs Qlik?
Microsoft Power BI's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $10/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Qlik's cheapest paid plan is Starter at $300/mo flat, billed yearly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 15, 2026.
What's the main difference between Microsoft Power BI and Qlik?
Microsoft Power BI's main strength: free desktop version. Qlik's main strength: powerful BI platform.