Looker vs Microsoft Power BI
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Business analytics by Microsoft.
The verdict
Both Looker and Microsoft Power BI are credible business intelligence tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Looker — Modern BI and embedded analytics by Google Cloud.
Choose Microsoft Power BI if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free – $10/user/mo) and a free plan to start on. Business analytics by Microsoft.
Looker vs Microsoft Power BI: side by side
| Dimension | Looker | Microsoft Power BI |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | Free – $10/user/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | Enterprise, Data Teams | Smb, Enterprise, Microsoft 365 Users |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Windows |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Looker key facts
- Vendor
- Pricing
- Subscription — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Enterprise, Data Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Microsoft Power BI key facts
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Pricing
- Subscription — Free – $10/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Windows
- Best for
- Smb, Enterprise, Microsoft 365 Users
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Redmond, WA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Looker better than Microsoft Power BI?
Neither is universally better — Microsoft Power BI edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Looker or Microsoft Power BI cheaper?
Microsoft Power BI is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $10/user/mo. Looker starts at custom; Microsoft Power BI starts at free – $10/user/mo.
Can Looker replace Microsoft Power BI?
Yes for most teams — both are business intelligence tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.