Looker vs Tableau
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Looker and Tableau are credible business intelligence tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Looker — Modern BI and embedded analytics by Google Cloud.
Choose Tableau if you'd rather have a lower starting price (from $15/user/mo) and a longer free trial (14 days). See and understand your data.
Looker vs Tableau: side by side
| Dimension | Looker | Tableau |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | From $15/user/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | — | 14 daysWinner |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | Enterprise, Data Teams | Enterprise, Data Teams |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Windows, Mac |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
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
Tableau key facts
- Vendor
- Salesforce
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $15/user/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (14 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Windows, Mac
- Best for
- Enterprise, Data Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2003
- Headquarters
- Seattle, WA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Looker better than Tableau?
Neither is universally better — Looker 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 Tableau cheaper?
Tableau is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $15/user/mo. Looker starts at custom; Tableau starts at from $15/user/mo.
Can Looker replace Tableau?
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.