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Microsoft Power BI

By Microsoft

4.5 out of 5 stars

How would you rate your experience with Microsoft Power BI?

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Microsoft Power BI Pros and Cons: Top Advantages and Disadvantages

Quick AI Summary Based on G2 Reviews

Generated from real user reviews

Users praise the data visualization capabilities of Microsoft Power BI, enhancing clarity and insights across their organizations. (89 mentions)
Users find Microsoft Power BI to be very user-friendly, making it easy to get started and generate reports. (88 mentions)
Users love the intuitive and powerful features of Power BI, enhancing analytics and customization for business needs. (46 mentions)
Users value the seamless integration capabilities of Power BI, enabling easy connections to various data sources for insightful dashboards. (42 mentions)
Users value the easy integrations with Microsoft Power BI, enhancing their workflow and efficiency with various data sources. (34 mentions)
Users find the learning curve steep, requiring significant time and effort, especially for newcomers to Power BI. (48 mentions)
Users experience slow performance with Power BI, particularly when handling large or complex datasets, affecting usability. (45 mentions)
Users find Power BI expensive for small teams, especially with additional fees for premium features. (16 mentions)
Users are frustrated by the missing features in Power BI, particularly the additional fees for premium options. (15 mentions)
Users often experience performance issues with Microsoft Power BI, especially when handling large datasets and complex calculations. (13 mentions)
Users experience slow loading times when handling large datasets in Power BI, impacting their workflow efficiency. (13 mentions)
Users struggle with coding difficulty, finding the learning curve steep and requiring knowledge of Python or R. (12 mentions)
Users find the limited customization in Power BI frustrating compared to other tools, affecting their analytics flexibility. (12 mentions)

Top Pros or Advantages of Microsoft Power BI

1. Data Visualization
Users praise the data visualization capabilities of Microsoft Power BI, enhancing clarity and insights across their organizations.
See 89 mentions

See Related User Reviews

CC

Curtis C.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Microsoft Power BI is the best of its kind, it processes your data and graphs all your operations."

What do you like about Microsoft Power BI?

Microsoft Power BI is a reliable digital processing and analysis system with which you can digitally graph all your work processes and activities, fac

Verified User
U

Verified User

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Powerful PowerBi"

What do you like about Microsoft Power BI?

PowerBi has excellent integration into software, allowing it to pull data so it can be functional. The visualizations allow for a variety of ways to

2. Ease of Use
Users find Microsoft Power BI to be very user-friendly, making it easy to get started and generate reports.
See 88 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Akshay B.
AB

Akshay B.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

4.5/5

"Essential for Reporting, But Extra Costs Add Up"

What do you like about Microsoft Power BI?

Easy for getting reports and very useful in our daily work about the consolidated reports

Sahariar Ahmed T.
ST

Sahariar Ahmed T.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

5.0/5

"Truly worthy."

What do you like about Microsoft Power BI?

This one I have found, is most user friendly.

3. Powerful BI
Users love the intuitive and powerful features of Power BI, enhancing analytics and customization for business needs.
See 46 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Verified User
U

Verified User

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

4.0/5

"Go-To Tool for Rapid, Custom BI Reporting"

What do you like about Microsoft Power BI?

As a UX designer, Power BI empowers me to design customized BI reports quickly and effectively. I collaborate closely with development teams to unders

ST

Sandy T.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Microsoft Power BI is the best in data visualization systems, advanced and cost-effective."

What do you like about Microsoft Power BI?

Microsoft Power BI is a high-performance business software for all types of businesses, its advanced digital features make it easy to digitize and ana

4. Integrations
Users value the seamless integration capabilities of Power BI, enabling easy connections to various data sources for insightful dashboards.
See 42 mentions

See Related User Reviews

AH

Athena H.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

4.5/5

"Powerful data visualization tool!"

What do you like about Microsoft Power BI?

Powerful data visualization tool that's customizable, real-time dashboards and seamless integration with ERP Acumatica system. Able to connect multipl

Verified User
E

Verified User

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4.0/5

"PowerBI helps us get all data from all sources into one place"

What do you like about Microsoft Power BI?

Supports plenty of third party platforms and databases that we use

5. Easy Integrations
Users value the easy integrations with Microsoft Power BI, enhancing their workflow and efficiency with various data sources.
See 34 mentions

See Related User Reviews

AA

Aditya A.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

4.0/5

"Best for Data Analysis and Visualization"

What do you like about Microsoft Power BI?

DAX is a pleasure to use, and its visualizations are straightforward and easy to interpret. I find myself using the dashboards nearly every day. Also

MAYUR U.
MU

MAYUR U.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"It’s best tool to analyse your business."

What do you like about Microsoft Power BI?

Easy to use and understand. Easily connect to any database or any format files.

Top Cons or Disadvantages of Microsoft Power BI

1. Learning Curve
Users find the learning curve steep, requiring significant time and effort, especially for newcomers to Power BI.
See 48 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Akshay P.
AP

Akshay P.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4.5/5

"A Comprehensive Review of Microsoft Power BI Desktop"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Mastering the various features and functionalities may require time and effort, especially for new users. Potential performance issues with large dat

SS

Srinidhi S.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4.5/5

"Powerful Dashboard Linkages, But Steep Learning Curve for Beginners"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

How non intuitive it can be to learn as a fresher

2. Slow Performance
Users experience slow performance with Power BI, particularly when handling large or complex datasets, affecting usability.
See 45 mentions

See Related User Reviews

AH

Athena H.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

4.5/5

"Powerful data visualization tool!"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Oscassional performance slowdowns with very large or complex datasets.

Jacques A.
JA

Jacques A.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Best BI tool"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Not able to add custom fonts without cumbersome workarounds. Power BI is more demanding in RAM than tableau especially with large models.

3. Expensive
Users find Power BI expensive for small teams, especially with additional fees for premium features.
See 16 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Fiaz H.
FH

Fiaz H.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"PowerBI is a powerful tool for business insights and analysis."

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

I dislike that you have to pay an additional fee to get premium features. I miss the good old days when all those features were included in the common

NM

Noelia M.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Power BI: Data Made Simple"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

While Power BI is robust, it can feel overwhelming at first — especially during the initial setup and data modeling phases. Some advanced features req

4. Missing Features
Users are frustrated by the missing features in Power BI, particularly the additional fees for premium options.
See 15 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Fiaz H.
FH

Fiaz H.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"PowerBI is a powerful tool for business insights and analysis."

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

I dislike that you have to pay an additional fee to get premium features. I miss the good old days when all those features were included in the common

Srikanth B.
SB

Srikanth B.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Excellent tool for Analytics."

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Publishing option not available for trail version users.

5. Performance Issues
Users often experience performance issues with Microsoft Power BI, especially when handling large datasets and complex calculations.
See 13 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Akshay P.
AP

Akshay P.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4.5/5

"A Comprehensive Review of Microsoft Power BI Desktop"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Mastering the various features and functionalities may require time and effort, especially for new users. Potential performance issues with large dat

Anubhav K.
AK

Anubhav K.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

4.0/5

"Experience of working on Power BI"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Its downside is its performance with large data set as if the data model is not designed efficiently dashboards starts performing sluggishly

6. Slow Loading
Users experience slow loading times when handling large datasets in Power BI, impacting their workflow efficiency.
See 13 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Akshay P.
AP

Akshay P.

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

4.5/5

"A Comprehensive Review of Microsoft Power BI Desktop"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Mastering the various features and functionalities may require time and effort, especially for new users. Potential performance issues with large dat

Pranay Kumar M.
PM

Pranay Kumar M.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

4.5/5

"Power BI Application Review"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

it does not support larger than 1 GB files. Since it stores in RAM while working, It loads the visuals slowly.

7. Coding Difficulty
Users struggle with coding difficulty, finding the learning curve steep and requiring knowledge of Python or R.
See 12 mentions

See Related User Reviews

CP

Cameron P.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

4.0/5

"Power BI"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

There's a pretty high barrier to entry for the average office worker, the program uses DAX language and is not intuitive. It can do incredible things,

Verified User
U

Verified User

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

4.0/5

"I really enjoyed creating interactive dashboards during my internship"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

DAX coding might be a challenge for users. It was a bit clunky to use.

8. Limited Customization
Users find the limited customization in Power BI frustrating compared to other tools, affecting their analytics flexibility.
See 12 mentions

See Related User Reviews

Jacques A.
JA

Jacques A.

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5.0/5

"Best BI tool"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Not able to add custom fonts without cumbersome workarounds. Power BI is more demanding in RAM than tableau especially with large models.

Abd El-Rahman S.
AS

Abd El-Rahman S.

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

3.0/5

"Using Microsoft Power BI as the first way to Data Analysis of My Daily Work Routine"

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

The limitation to publishing your dasboard is related to paying process and the price is too high to be paid

Microsoft Power BI Reviews (1,435)

View 3 Video Reviews
Reviews

Microsoft Power BI Reviews (1,435)

View 3 Video Reviews
4.5
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HW
Data Engineer
Information Technology and Services
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"It's bomb interface,scaleproof and Valuable Copilot for data intelligence for actionable insights"
What do you like best about Microsoft Power BI?

I really love it with Copilot as my sidekick with every bit of my data intelligence with real-time data analytics and insights for quicker, accurate and reliable business decision making. Impeccable for data modeling , views and optimization. Impressed by many building and visualizations options for my data with graphs and chart for efficient representation. Remarkable with interactive dashboards for real-time access of my reports. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

It is very powerful with working with all kinds of data for real-time and actionable insights which influence every decision making in the business.

Heavy taking alot of my computer resources. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Tanish B.
TB
SAP Support Specialist Basis & IAM
Information Technology and Services
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Power BI: A Powerful and Intuitive Tool for Data-Driven Decisions"
What do you like best about Microsoft Power BI?

Power BI excels in its seamless integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure services, which makes it extremely convenient to pull data from sources such as Excel, SQL Server, and SharePoint. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, together with robust DAX formulas, enables rapid dashboard creation and thorough data analysis. I especially value the option to schedule data refreshes and securely share reports with teams. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

While Power BI offers a wide range of features, new users may find the learning curve for advanced DAX functions and creating custom visuals to be quite steep. Performance may also suffer when handling very large datasets unless proper optimization is applied. Furthermore, the licensing model can be somewhat confusing, particularly when trying to scale the solution across larger organizations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Arun K.
AK
Data Discovery and Enrichment Expert
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Empowers Data Analysts with Intuitive Dashboards and Powerful Insights"
What do you like best about Microsoft Power BI?

Power BI empowers data analysts with intuitive dashboards, seamless data integration, and powerful visualization tools. It simplifies complex datasets, supports collaboration, and ensures secure sharing. Analysts can uncover insights quickly, drive informed decisions, and transform raw data into actionable intelligence, making Power BI an essential modern analytics solution. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

The app slows down when working with large set of datasets. We have encountered many slowness in identifying the desired tasks or query. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

AM
IT Manager
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Seamless Microsoft Integration, But Needs More Native Visualization Tools"
What do you like best about Microsoft Power BI?

I truly value how seamlessly Power BI integrates within the Microsoft ecosystem. Its ability to connect effortlessly with tools such as Excel, SharePoint, Teams, and Azure makes sharing data and collaborating with others remarkably smooth and efficient. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Power BI offers only a limited selection of native tools. For more advanced visualizations, you often need to rely on external add-ons, which can incur extra costs. Expanding the range of built-in tools for both data visualization and data entry within the platform would be extremely helpful. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Adam H.
AH
Adjunct Professor
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Power BI: Unmatched Flexibility, but Power BI Embedded Requires Expertise"
What do you like best about Microsoft Power BI?

Nothing else matches its flexibility, whether it’s the range of data visualizations or the sheer number of external data sources you can connect. On top of that, building dashboards and creating adaptable report structures is not only straightforward but also enjoyable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Don’t be confused that power BI and power BI embedded are the same thing. Power BI embedded is a completely different animal. If you are an ISV trying to use power BI to showcase, interactive visualizations, you are going to want a strong command of your power BI environment and some development chops. I’m struggling to find contractors with PowerBI Embedded expertise. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Patrick B.
PB
Optimisation and Reporting Specialist
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Astounding Reporting and Seamless Integration with Power BI"
What do you like best about Microsoft Power BI?

The level of in depth reporting that Power BI provides is astounding. The customisation options and the ability view specific and broad data is incredible, making management and reporting super easy. The easy of integrating it with other systems as well means it’s a perfect tool to use daily with pre existing systems. Setting it up in general is easy as well which makes it a breeze. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Given the wealth of options, it might be seen as overwhelming or complex, but having a SME on hand yields amazing results. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

AR
Data Analyst
Information Technology and Services
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Great for its interactive reports & dashboards,aaccura insights as the GOAT of business intelligence"
What do you like best about Microsoft Power BI?

I love how am able to extract data from different sources especially Excel and SQL, Transforms it into analytics and visualize it through interactive reports and on the dashboard. Reliable to share the dashboard and reports with fellow teammates on key metrics which turn into actionable insights, then use the insights for business intelligence with ease of forecast on the future of our business. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

Best so far for complete transformation of raw data into actionable insights.

Cost effective but needs time to learn. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Aniket C.
AC
"Transformative Data Visualizations, Some Performance Challenges"
What do you like best about Microsoft Power BI?

I use Microsoft Power BI to visualize data and build dashboards that help track performance and identify trends, making it easier to understand data at a glance. One of the aspects I like most about Power BI is its interactive dashboards and drill-down capabilities. I can click on any chart or data point and instantly see deeper insights without creating separate reports, which accelerates analysis, makes it more dynamic, and simplifies understanding, especially when I need to explain trends or breakdowns to others. The drill-down features are particularly valuable as they allow me to explore data at multiple levels and understand the reasons behind the numbers. I also value Power Query for its streamlined and user-friendly data transformation capabilities, which is one of the key reasons my team switched from Pentaho to Power BI. The setup process was simple, and connecting data sources with Power BI Desktop was quick. Overall, the combination of interactive dashboards, Power Query, and DAX makes Power BI a great tool for analytics. I would rate it 9 out of 10 due to its powerful features and ease of use once you get the flow. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

{"Large datasets sometimes cause slow performance.","Power Query transformations can get complex very quickly.","Desktop and service versions behave slightly differently, which creates confusion."} Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

AC
Instructional Designer
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Business partner of the seller or seller's competitor, not included in G2 scores.
"Analyze and visualize the performance of your work processes with Microsoft Power BI resources."
What do you like best about Microsoft Power BI?

As a frequent user of Microsoft Power BI's digital resources and features, I have very positive and favorable references regarding the performance of all its features, it is reliable and high performance software that allows you to visualize the development of all your work processes in real time so you can make any adjustments you deem necessary to meet all your work objectives. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

I can't say anything negative about the features of Microsoft Power BI because I think it's a reliable and secure system that offers very good technical performance. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

CA Ayush G.
CG
Transaction Advisory Services Consultant
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Simplifying Analytics While Keeping Our Data Accurate and Up-to-Date: Power BI"
What do you like best about Microsoft Power BI?

Power BI has become a really handy tool for us and makes working with data feel much easier and more meaningful. We use it to bring together complex information like employee timesheets, project mapping, and hours charged, which then helps us track project-level collections and profitability. It also plays a big role in monitoring fee collections and measuring employee utilization by keeping a clear record of billable vs. non-billable hours. What I like most is how quick it is to set up, how easy it is to navigate, and how flexible the features are—whether it’s building simple reports or digging into more detailed analytics. Since it integrates smoothly with our data sources, our dashboards are always up to date, and the responsive customer support makes the experience even better. Overall, it’s become our go-to for turning raw data into clear insights we can actually act on and we almost use it on daily basis. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Power BI?

One thing I dislike about Power BI is that some of the more advanced features and custom visuals can have a steep learning curve, which may require extra time and training to fully master. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.