Best Dashboard Software Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best dashboard software:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Dashboard software is a valuable asset for any company. With the right solution, teams can improve data visualization and enhance decision-making. But finding the right dashboard software can be a challenge, especially with so many options available.
Using my experience with revenue operations software, I tested and compared several of the top dashboard software available. From there, I compiled my results into detailed reviews to help you find the best software for your needs.
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Best Dashboard Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top dashboard software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
Tableau | From $70/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Klipfolio | From $250/month (billed annually) | Website |
Cyfe | From $19/month | Website |
Sisense | Pricing upon request | Website |
Mode | From $25/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Grafana Cloud | From $29/month (plus usage) | Website |
Databox | From $47/month (5 users, billed annually) | Website |
FineBI 6.1 | Pricing upon request | Website |
Qlik Sense | From $30/user/month | Website |
Microsoft Power BI | From $10/user/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow to Choose a Dashboard Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
Factor | What to Consider |
Scalability | Will this software grow with your team? |
Integrations | Does it connect with your existing tools? |
Customizability | Can you tailor it to fit your specific needs? |
Ease of Use | Is it simple for your team to learn and use? |
Budget | Does it fit within your financial constraints? |
Security Safeguards | Does it meet your security and compliance requirements? |
Support | Is there adequate customer support available? |
Mobile Access | Can you access it easily on mobile devices? |
Best Dashboard Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best dashboard software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Tableau is a data visualization tool used primarily by analysts and business intelligence professionals. It helps users turn raw data into interactive and shareable dashboards that facilitate insightful decision-making.
Why I picked Tableau: Tableau excels at visualizing complex data sets into easy-to-understand formats. Its drag-and-drop interface allows you to create interactive charts and graphs quickly, and its ability to handle large volumes of data without performance issues is noteworthy. The software also offers extensive customization options, making it ideal for detailed data analysis.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, interactive dashboards, sophisticated data visualization capabilities, chart and graph customization, and visual data analysis.
Integrations include Salesforce, Google Analytics, Microsoft Excel, Amazon Redshift, Oracle NetSuite, SAP HANA, Teradata, Snowflake, Google BigQuery, and Splunk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Handles large data sets
- Extensive customization options
- Interactive data visualizations
Cons:
- Requires training for complex tasks
- Steep learning curve for beginners
Klipfolio is a cloud-based dashboard platform designed for small businesses and startups. It allows users to create real-time business dashboards to visualize and track key performance metrics.
Why I picked Klipfolio: Klipfolio offers an intuitive dashboard experience tailored to small businesses. It provides pre-built templates that simplify the creation of dashboards, making it accessible even if your team isn't technically inclined, while the software’s focus on real-time data ensures you're always up-to-date with your business metrics. All in all, its affordability and ease of use make it a practical choice for startups and small teams.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include pre-built templates that help you set up dashboards quickly, real-time data visualization to keep your team informed with the latest metrics, and customization options that let you tailor dashboards to specific business needs.
Integrations include Google Analytics, Salesforce, Facebook Ads, HubSpot, Twitter, Stripe, Shopify, LinkedIn Ads, Xero, and QuickBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Affordable for small teams
- Quick setup with templates
- Cloud-based accessibility
Cons:
- Limited advanced features
- Can be slow with big data
Cyfe is a business dashboard solution designed for companies looking to consolidate data from multiple sources into a single view. It allows businesses to monitor and analyze performance metrics across different departments.
Why I picked Cyfe: Cyfe offers an advanced platform for monitoring various business metrics in one place. It provides pre-built widgets that make setting up dashboards quick and easy for your team. Plus, the tool's all-in-one approach helps you track marketing, sales, finance, and more without switching platforms. With its focus on holistic business views, Cyfe simplifies the process of data consolidation while improving user experience.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an array of pre-built widgets that let you start tracking data right away, all-in-one business dashboards to help you keep an eye on metrics across different departments, and a user-friendly interface.
Integrations include Google Analytics, Salesforce, Facebook, Twitter, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, Shopify, Wordpress, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive data consolidation
- Easy setup with widgets
- Tracks multiple business metrics
Cons:
- Limited advanced analytics
- Basic visualization options
Sisense is an analytics platform designed for data analysts and business teams looking to embed analytics into their applications. It provides tools for integrating analytics into your workflows, enabling data-driven decisions.
Why I picked Sisense: Sisense offers advanced embedded analytics capabilities, allowing your team to integrate data insights directly into your applications. Its unique architecture supports handling large data sets efficiently. The platform also provides customizable dashboards, which makes embedding analytics into your existing tools straightforward.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable dashboards, which allow you to tailor data views to your team's needs, strong data integration capabilities, and in-chip technology to accelerate data processing.
Integrations include Salesforce, Google Analytics, Amazon Redshift, Oracle, SAP, Snowflake, Microsoft SQL Server, Google BigQuery, Zendesk, and HubSpot.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Handles large data volumes
- Customizable dashboards
- Efficient data processing
Cons:
- Requires technical expertise
- Complex initial setup
Mode is an advanced analytics platform tailored for data scientists and analysts who rely heavily on SQL for data exploration. It enables users to query data, create visualizations, and collaborate on data projects.
Why I picked Mode: Mode is designed for teams that need strong SQL integration, making data analysis more efficient. It allows you to run complex queries and visualize the results without switching between tools. The platform's collaboration features also let your team work together on data projects seamlessly. As a result, Mode is ideal for data-driven teams looking to derive insights from raw data.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a SQL editor that supports complex queries, making data analysis straightforward and efficient. Mode also provides visualization tools that let you turn query results into interactive charts, and deep collaboration features to allow your team to share insights and work on data projects together.
Integrations include Salesforce, Google Analytics, Amazon Redshift, PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery, Snowflake, Oracle NetSuite, SAP HANA, and Microsoft SQL Server.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong SQL capabilities
- Supports complex data queries
- Facilitates team collaboration
Cons:
- Basic visualization options
- May require technical support
Grafana Cloud is an open-source analytics and monitoring platform for developers and IT professionals. It’s used to visualize and analyze time-series data, providing insights into key performance indicators and metrics.
Why I picked Grafana Cloud: Grafana Cloud's open-source nature makes it highly customizable, perfect for teams that need tailored solutions. It allows you to create interactive and shareable dashboards that provide insights into system metrics. The platform's flexibility also lets you integrate various data sources, making monitoring more comprehensive. With these key components, Grafana Cloud is ideal for IT teams looking to optimize system performance.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include interactive and shareable dashboards that give your team insights into system performance, customizable dashboards to fit your needs, and a wide range of data sources for advanced monitoring.
Integrations include Prometheus, Elasticsearch, InfluxDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Graphite, AWS CloudWatch, Loki, Google Stackdriver, and Azure Monitor.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable dashboards
- Supports multiple data sources
- Focused on time-series data
Cons:
- Limited non-time-series features
- Can be resource-intensive
Databox is a business analytics tool designed for marketing and sales teams to track performance metrics. It allows users to access data and insights on-the-go through its mobile-friendly dashboards.
Why I picked Databox: Databox offers a unique mobile experience, allowing your team to monitor KPIs from anywhere. Its pre-built templates make it easy to set up dashboards quickly, while its customizable alerts help you stay updated with real-time data. Additionally, the software’s mobile-first approach ensures you have access to critical metrics at all times, making data analysis simple and efficient.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include mobile-friendly dashboards to keep you connected to your data on-the-go, customizable alerts to ensure you never miss important updates, and pre-built templates to help your team set up and visualize data effortlessly.
Integrations include Google Analytics, HubSpot, Salesforce, Facebook Ads, QuickBooks, Shopify, Stripe, LinkedIn Ads, Instagram Insights, and Mailchimp.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Mobile-first design
- Quick setup with templates
- Real-time customizable alerts
Cons:
- Limited desktop functionalities
- Requires consistent internet access
FineBI 6.1 is a business intelligence tool aimed at enterprises and data analysts seeking to empower users with self-service data analytics capabilities. It enables users to create reports and dashboards without needing extensive technical skills.
Why I picked FineBI 6.1: FineBI 6.1 allows your team to engage with data directly through its self-service BI features. The platform's drag-and-drop interface simplifies report creation, making it accessible to users with varying technical expertise, while its interactive dashboards help you visualize data effectively. These features, combined with its self-service capabilities make it a great choice for organizations looking to democratize data access.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the creation of reports and dashboards, interactive dashboards, and self-service features to empower users to engage with data without needing extensive technical skills.
Integrations include MySQL, Oracle NetSuite, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, DB2, Sybase, Informix, HANA, Spark, and MongoDB.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports large data sets
- Interactive dashboard capabilities
- Customizable reporting options
Cons:
- Requires initial setup time
- Limited advanced analytics
Qlik Sense is a data analytics platform aimed at business intelligence professionals and analysts. It allows users to create interactive dashboards to explore data insights and make informed business decisions.
Why I picked Qlik Sense: Qlik Sense offers a unique associative data model that lets your team explore data from multiple angles without predefined queries. Its drag-and-drop interface is user-friendly, allowing for quick dashboard creation. Additionally, with its interactive visualizations, you can dive deeper into data and uncover insights. The tool's scalability supports businesses of all sizes, making it versatile for various needs.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an associative data model that helps you explore data freely, uncovering hidden insights, interactive visualizations to help teams understand complex data sets, and a drag-and-drop interface to simplify the process of creating and customizing dashboards.
Integrations include Microsoft Excel, Salesforce, SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Google Analytics, Amazon Redshift, Microsoft SQL Server, Snowflake, Hadoop, and Teradata.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Associative data model
- Scalable for various needs
- Interactive visualizations
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Requires technical knowledge
Microsoft Power BI is a business analytics tool primarily used by data analysts and business intelligence professionals. It helps users create interactive reports and dashboards to visualize data and derive actionable insights.
Why I picked Microsoft Power BI: Microsoft Power BI is particularly effective for teams already using Microsoft products. It offers seamless integration with Excel, allowing users to import and visualize data effortlessly. Plus, the software’s real-time dashboard capabilities enable teams to make quick, data-driven decisions. Additionally, its AI features enhance data analysis, making it a standout choice for organizations looking to deepen their Microsoft ecosystem.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include data visualization, real-time dashboards, AI-driven data analysis, the ability to connect to multiple data sources, and a drag-and-drop interface.
Integrations include Microsoft Excel, Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, Google Analytics, Salesforce, Adobe Analytics, Oracle NetSuite, and Mailchimp.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- AI-driven data analysis
- Extensive data source connectivity
- Real-time data updates
Cons:
- Requires Microsoft ecosystem
- Limited mobile capabilities
Other Dashboard Software
Here are some additional dashboard software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- DashThis
Best for marketing agencies
- Smartsheet
Best for project management
- Domo
Best for large enterprises
- Geckoboard
Best for real-time KPI tracking
- Zoho Analytics
Best for cross-functional teams
- Adverity
Best for marketing data integration
- Supermetrics
Best for data extraction
- Insight Software
Best for embedded analytics solutions
Dashboard Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best dashboard software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like data integration capabilities and user-friendly interfaces. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Data visualization
- Real-time data updates
- Custom dashboard design
- Multi-source data integration
- Reporting and analytics
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Predictive analytics
- Embedded analytics capabilities
- Advanced data security
- AI-driven insights
- Mobile app accessibility
- Additional dashboard templates
- User authentication and permissions
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface
- Ease of navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Aesthetic design
- Customization options
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates
- Webinars and workshops
- Supportive onboarding guides
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Response time
- Quality of assistance
- Access to help documentation
- Availability of live chat
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Features offered for the price
- Scalability of pricing plans
- Hidden costs or fees
- Customer satisfaction with cost
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Commonly mentioned pros and cons
- Feedback on feature usefulness
- User experience descriptions
- Support and service feedback
Trends In Dashboard Software
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different dashboard software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:
- AI-Driven Insights: More tools are using AI to provide deeper data insights. This helps users make informed decisions faster by analyzing patterns and predicting future trends.
- Customizable Visualizations: Users are looking for more personalization in their dashboards. Tools are now offering advanced customization options, allowing businesses to tailor visualizations to their specific needs. This trend makes it easier for teams to focus on metrics that matter most to them.
- Embedded Analytics: Businesses want analytics within their existing tools and workflows. Many vendors now offer embedded analytics solutions, letting users access insights without switching platforms.
- Focus on Data Privacy: As data regulations tighten, dashboard tools are enhancing their data privacy features. Ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR is becoming a priority, and companies are integrating more advanced privacy controls. This trend addresses growing concerns about data security.
- Augmented Analytics: This trend involves using machine learning to automate data preparation and insight generation. It simplifies complex analysis, making it accessible to non-technical users.
What Is Dashboard Software?
Dashboard software aggregates and visualizes data from various sources into interactive dashboards. These tools are commonly used by business analysts, data scientists, and managers who need to track performance metrics and make data-driven decisions.
Features such as customizable visualizations, AI-driven insights, and embedded analytics help users tailor dashboards to their needs, enhance data analysis, and integrate insights into workflows. Overall, these tools provide users with a clear and efficient way to monitor and understand their data.
Features of Dashboard Software
When selecting dashboard software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Data Visualization: Transforms raw data into visual formats like charts and graphs, making it easier to understand insights at a glance.
- Real-Time Data Updates: Provides up-to-the-minute information, allowing users to make timely and informed decisions.
- Customizable Dashboards: Allows users to tailor their dashboards to focus on the metrics that matter most to their specific needs.
- Multi-Source Data Integration: Combines data from various platforms, providing a comprehensive view of business performance in one place.
- AI-Driven Insights: Uses artificial intelligence to analyze data patterns and predict future trends, enhancing decision-making.
- Embedded Analytics: Integrates analytics directly into existing tools, enabling users to access insights within their workflow.
- Interactive Dashboards: Offers interactivity that lets users explore data in depth, uncovering detailed insights through dynamic visualizations.
- Data Privacy Controls: Ensures compliance with data regulations and protects sensitive information, addressing security concerns.
- Collaboration Features: Enables teams to share insights and work on data projects together, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Augmented Analytics: Automates data preparation and insight generation, making complex analysis accessible to non-technical users.
Benefits of Dashboard Software
Implementing dashboard software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved Decision-Making: Real-time data updates and AI-driven insights help your team make informed decisions quickly.
- Enhanced Data Understanding: Data visualization transforms complex data sets into easy-to-digest visuals, making insights clearer.
- Increased Efficiency: Customizable dashboards allow users to focus on key metrics, reducing time spent searching for information.
- Better Collaboration: Collaboration features enable teams to share insights easily and work together on data-driven projects.
- Greater Data Accessibility: Multi-source data integration brings all your data into one place, providing a comprehensive view of your business.
- Compliance and Security: Data privacy controls ensure your data meets regulatory requirements and remains secure.
- Empowered Non-Technical Users: Augmented analytics makes complex data analysis accessible, allowing more team members to engage with data.
Costs and Pricing of Dashboard Software
Selecting dashboard software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in dashboard software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Dashboard Software
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
Free Plan | $0 | Basic data visualization, limited dashboards, and community support. |
Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Customizable dashboards, multi-source integration, and email support. |
Business Plan | $30-$70/user/month | Real-time data updates, collaboration tools, and enhanced security features. |
Enterprise Plan | $75-$150/user/month | Advanced analytics, dedicated support, and extensive customization options. |
Dashboard Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about dashboard software:
What are some of the downsides to using dashboards?
Dashboards can sometimes lack real-time anomaly detection, which may prevent proactive incident management. They might also rely too heavily on historical data, potentially missing small incidents that could negatively impact your business. Over-reliance can lead to cluttered dashboards with false positives and a lack of intelligent prioritization.
Why do most dashboards fail?
Many dashboards fail because they include misaligned metrics that clutter the interface with unrelated data. This can distract users from key insights and lead to decision paralysis. When overwhelmed with information, decision-makers might struggle to draw actionable conclusions.
How can dashboards enhance business performance?
Dashboards enhance business performance by providing a clear overview of key metrics in real time. They help your team make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. By consolidating data from multiple sources, dashboards ensure that everyone has access to the same, up-to-date information.
Can dashboards be customized for different business needs?
Yes, most dashboard software allows customization to meet various business needs. You can tailor the layout, choose which metrics to display, and set up alerts for specific data points. This flexibility ensures that you get the most relevant insights for your business.
How do dashboards improve team collaboration?
Dashboards improve team collaboration by providing a centralized platform where everyone can access the same data. They enable real-time sharing of insights and findings, making it easier for teams to discuss and align on strategies. With shared dashboards, team members can contribute to data-driven projects more effectively.
What’s Next?
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