Which Power BI version offers the best value?

There are 5 major Power BI price versions depending on your data visualization and analytics requirements.

From selecting the Power BI free version to purchasing the Power BI premium version, you have multiple Power BI cost options like:

  • Power BI Desktop (free)
  • Power BI Pro ($9.99)
  • PowerBI Premium ($4,995 per dedicated cloud computing and storage)
  • Power BI Report Server (on premium, possibly free)
  • Power BI Embedded (varies)

Let’s explore each version for a detailed Power BI cost analysis.

Power BI Desktop Cost/ Power BI Free Version-

It Power BI Desktop is a excellent select if you are

  • Stepping into the dynamic landscape of Power BI for the first time
  • Or have specific, limited requirements

Business leaders, such as you, are leveraging this free of cost Power BI version to –

  • Build data models
  • Create charts and graphs
  • Create intuitive dashboards
  • Create & transform distinct datasets for their own use

This personal-use tool seamlessly transforms your data into captivating visuals while connecting to on-premises and over 70 cloud data sources.

Suitable for individuals and early-age start-ups, the Power BI free version is great to start and assess whether the tool is suitable for your business intelligence requirements.

Once you are familiar with the key functions and features of Power BI, you can upgrade to the Microsoft Power BI paid versions, and even share your reports/data with the stakeholders within and outside your organization.

If you’re speculating

“Can I use Power BI for free?”

yes, you can. The Power BI Desktop version is completely free for all. However, it comes with certain limitations compared to Power BI paid versions.

While the Power BI Desktop is easy to use, partnering with a Power BI development company can highly improve your experience and results.

Power BI Pro-

Power BI Pro is suitable for startups and mid-size organizations, enabling businesses to transform raw data into a larger picture, for effective decision-making.

What is the difference between Power BI free and pro version?

Microsoft Power BI Pro offers you with the full capabilities of a Power BI desktop with additional features such as –

  • Ability to utilize Power BI visuals in Microsoft apps, improved data refreshes for on-premises data, etc.
  • Access to AI visualizations like Q&A, key influencers’ visuals, and the decomposition tree
  • Unrestricted viewing, and sharing of reports, dashboards, and other content
  • Access to Power BI assets on the phone using the Power BI mobile app
  • Connect to over 100 data sources
  • A data model size limit of 1 GB

If you are unsure about the cost of Power BI pro license, this version of Power BI costs only $9.99 per user/month.

If you are tussling among Power BI vs Power BI Pro, here is a straightforward answer –

  • If your business intelligence needs are basic, opt for the Microsoft Power BI Free version.
  • If you frequently require sharing and collaborative functions and a robust set of features for an improved analytics experience, opt for the Microsoft Power BI Pro.
  • Is it possible to enhance Power BI Pro? A Power BI consultant is all you need to guide every step of the process.

PowerBI Premium-

Ideal for mid-size companies and enterprise-level organizations, the of Power BI version is the whole thing you need to enjoy

  • High productivity
  • Seamless collaboration
  • And advanced analytics

What is the difference between the Power BI Free, Pro, and Power BI Premium version?

you may curiosity.

To answer – unlike Power BI Pro and the Desktop version, the Power BI premium version provides you with the advantages of a customizable user capacity.

It ensures that your company can optimize resources according to emerging challenges, providing an efficient analytics experience.

Power BI premium too brings you unique features such as –

  • 100TB of storage
  • Advanced AI features
  • 100GB model size limit
  • Multi-Geo Architecture
  • Access to one API surface
  • Analyse data stored in Azure Data Lake Storage and more.

One of the limitations of PowerBI Premium is that it is compatible with the PowerBI Pro license.This means that users who wish to generate reports must purchase their Power BI Pro license separately.

Initially, Power BI Premium offers two pricing options based on the user and the capacity.

PowerBI Premium Pricing – Per User

Power BI Premium Per Capacity

Power BI Report Server-

It is an on-premises physical server used to create and display reports on Power BI Desktop, Power BI Pro, or Power BI Premium.It allows you to view multiple reports on your email, web browser, and even mobile devices.

It is an ideal option if you desire to view and access different reports if you have restrictions on the cloud.

You can integrate the Power BI report server by acquiring:

  • Power BI Premium P SKU P1-P5
  • SQL Server Enterprise with Software Assurance agreement

Recall that each version comes with a different Power BI costing.

The first option of Power BI costs you up to $5K/month, and the second option costs you $15K at the least.

Invest in the Best Power BI Technology Today

Now that you are familiar with the estimated Power BI cost of different versions and the importance of the right Power BI partnership, it can simplify your investment process according to your budget and requirements.

However, making a failed Power BI investment call can be a waste.

We at Integrative Systems help you make informed choices with our top-notch Power BI consultation and support services.

Do you want to connect with us?

Connect with our professionals at contact@integrativesystems.com for a FREE consultation and thoroughly discuss your requirements.

Abel Willium
Author: Abel Willium

We are a 20+ year old trusted Software Development Company based in Chicago with clients all over North America and Canada.

Abel Willium

We are a 20+ year old trusted Software Development Company based in Chicago with clients all over North America and Canada.