Unable to keep up with the growing demands of data analysis and reporting?
It’s time to bring a change.
If you find yourself buried under spreadsheets, wrestling with data integration, or scrambling to visualize key metrics, the solution lies in effective data visualization and analysis.
Luckily, transforming data chaos into insightful visual journeys using the best free dashboard software doesn’t have to cost anything. These free analytics platforms help overcome the problem of data overload and time-consuming reporting by extracting meaningful insights with ease.
Whether you’re a seasoned data analyst or executive looking to make data-backed decisions, this list of the best free dashboard software has everything you need. Compare features, pros and cons, and user reviews to discover which solution is right for you.
10 best free dashboard software in 2024
- Tableau
- Looker
- Microsoft Power BI
- Sisense
- Domo
- Qlik Sense
- MicroStrategy
- Amazon QuickSight
- Alteryx
- Sigma
How did we select and evaluate the best free dashboard software?
At G2, we rank software solutions using a proprietary algorithm that considers customer satisfaction and market presence based on authentic user reviews. Our market research analysts and writers spend weeks testing solutions against multiple criteria set for a software category. We give you unbiased software evaluations; that's the G2 difference! We don’t accept payment or exchange links for product placements on our list. Please read our G2 Research Scoring Methodology for more details.
Top 10 best free dashboard software of 2024
The list below contains real user reviews from the best free analytics software category pages. It’s important to note that in the context of this list, vendors offering a free trial are also considered free. To be included in this category, a solution must:
- Provide robust data ingestion, integration, and preparation features as part of the platform
- Consume data from any source through file uploads, database querying, and application connectors
- Allow for the modeling, blending, and discovery of data
- Create reports and visualizations with business utility
- Create and deploy internal analytics applications
* This data was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Want to learn more about Data Visualization Tools? Explore Data Visualization products.
1. Tableau
Tableau is a highly acclaimed free analytics software known for its powerful data visualization tools and user-friendly interface. Designed to help users make sense of diverse data sets, Tableau excels in transforming raw data into insightful dashboards that drive better decision-making.
The platform offers a free trial to test features such as creating and sharing visualizations in the cloud, collaborative analysis, and more.
Pros of Tableau |
Cons of Tableau |
| Supports real-time data analysis and detailed reporting | Performance may lag with large data sets |
| Allows to share dashboards via easy exports in multiple formats | Comparatively limited customization compared to other tools |
| Compatibility with various data sources | Has a complex licensing model |
What users like best:
“I like Tableau’s drag-and-drop functionality for creating report charts and visualization. It also connects to various data sources for visualization and report creation.”
- Tableau Review, Akshay Y.
What users dislike:
“When working with large datasets, extracting data and analyzing raw data takes a lot of time. That is the main problem I am having with Tableau.”
- Tableau Review, Sree H.
2. Looker
Looker is a robust analytics platform with its modern, cloud-based architecture designed to optimize data exploration and reporting. The software lets users transform complex datasets into actionable insights through customizable, interactive dashboards. Looker's data modeling layer, LookML, allows users to create personalized reports.
Looker Studio is available at no charge for creators and report viewers.
Pros of Looker |
Cons of Looker |
| Has a clean, easy-to-use interface, making it easy to create reports and build dashboards | Creating advanced data models and queries may require a good understanding of SQ |
| Offers highly customizable dashboard designs that can be tailored to user needs | Works on a cloud-based model, which means offline support is minimal |
| Offers excellent integration capabilities with other Google services | The range of built-in visualization options may be limited |
What users like best:
“Everything is free and user-friendly in the Google Data Studio, which allows users to create customized dashboards. Looker Studio offers work on both real-time and dummy data. It collaborates with many data sources and creates fantastic reports. One of my best things is to apply filters to sort out data within seconds.”
- Looker Review, Muhammad M.
What users dislike:
“Looker has a limited number of graph and chart visualizations available, so customizations are limited to a certain level. Also, there's very little control over data refreshes, which can sometimes slow the dashboard when working with a lot of data.”
- Looker Review, Mariam J.
3. Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI is a leading analytics software that transforms complex data into interactive, easy-to-understand reports and dashboards. Integrated within the Microsoft ecosystem, Power BI enables users to connect to various data sources seamlessly and provides robust tools for data modeling, visualization, and sharing insights across organizations.
The free plan is included with a Microsoft Fabric free account for creating rich and interactive reports and dashboards.
Pros of Microsoft Power BI |
Cons of Microsoft Power BI |
| Simplifies the data visualization process with its intuitive drag-and-drop features | Dependent on an internet connection for lag-free functionality |
| Continuously updated with new features and improvements | Limited customization options compared to business dashboard software |
| Integrates effortlessly with other Microsoft products like Excel and Azure | Performance constraints with vast datasets and complex queries |
What users like best:
“Power BI has a user-friendly interface, powerful visualization capabilities, and the drag & drop feature. The most helpful feature is Power Query's robust data modeling and transformation tools, which streamline data cleaning and automation.”
- Microsoft Power BI Review, Ranjan K.
What users dislike:
“Power BI offers many powerful features, but its wide range of functionalities can make the initial learning challenging, especially for users with limited experience in data analysis and visualization tools. Improving the user onboarding process and documentation could help facilitate the adaptation.”
- Microsoft Power BI Review, Erik F.
4. Sisense
Sisense is a versatile analytics platform celebrated for its ability to easily handle and visualize large datasets. Its unique in-chip technology accelerates data processing, enabling users to generate real-time insights through customizable and interactive sales dashboards. Sisense is known for making data accessible to all levels of users, from novice to expert.
The platform offers a 30-day free trial, allowing users to explore its features fully and analyze whether it meets their analytics and data visualization needs.
Pros of Sisense |
Cons of Sisense |
| Simplifies data analysis with its intuitive user interface | Initial setup and configuration may get complex |
| Offers a complete solution from data integration to visualization | Can be resource-intensive for maintaining optimal performance |
| Uses in-chip technology for faster data processing | Advanced customizations require in-depth knowledge and experience |
What users like best:
“The options to customize. The ability to edit Javascript within dashboards and widgets, coupled with BloX, allows for the desired look and feel to be achieved. We're pursuing embedded analytics using Sisense Compose SDK, which puts even further control in the hands of developers to meet our UX requirements.”
- Sisense Review, Andrew G.
What users dislike:
“There are so many options for viewing data, including what feels like an unlimited number of dashboards, it's easy to drown yourself in data. Learning to use filters well is crucial for getting the most from Sisense, especially if you're working with a large dataset.”
- Sisense Review, Tim B.
5. Domo
Domo is a cloud-based business intelligence platform with a comprehensive range of data visualization and reporting tools. It’s known for its scalability and integrates various data sources to create customizable and interactive visualizations. Domo makes data accessible to technical and non-technical users, driving collaborative decision-making.
The free tool is available to test out for 30 days with full access to all features and unlimited business users.
Pros of Domo |
Cons of Domo |
| The cloud-based architecture is easy to scale up | Limited offline functionality, like other cloud-based tools |
| Offers real-time data analytics, supporting timely decisions | The initial setup and data integration processes can be complex |
| Has a mobile app for on-the-go functionality | Pre-built customizations are somewhat limited |
What users like best:
“I love that Domo is easily able to go with whatever my needs are. If I need to filter, Sort through my company's many warehouses and locations, or upload a CSV to Netsuite, the process is very simple yet effective. Domo was very easy to implement across all departments in our company - Operations, finance, and sales- and all use the system equally daily. The frequent use allows us to catch small mistakes or errors and quickly correct them for our customers.”
- Domo Review, Myishia M.
What users dislike:
“Sometimes, obvious enhancements would make life easier in the system, such as being able to sort preview results. The chart properties layout isn't always intuitive, either—there are so many options that it becomes hard to know where to find certain options.”
- Domo Review, Katja R.
6. Qlik Sense
Qlik Sense is a recognized analytics and business intelligence tool designed to help organizations derive actionable insights from their data. With its unique associative data model, Qlik Sense facilitates highly interactive and visually appealing dashboards that allow users to explore data freely and uncover hidden relationships.
There’s a free trial available for 30 days for all new users.
Pros of Qlik Sense |
Cons of Qlik Sense |
| Uses AI to help uncover hidden insights and patterns | Faces performance bottlenecks with large data sets |
| Suitable for organizations of all sizes | Advanced features are locked behind paid versions |
| Integrates with various data sources, both on-premise and cloud | Has a steep learning curve for beginners |
What users like best:
“It has been a powerful tool where we can connect to the data source so that it returns information and data that is analyzed more quickly to generate more detailed reports more easily. I like its ease of use from the start without having an extensive learning curve.”
- Qlik Sense Review, Steven M.
What users dislike:
“The three main points on which the tool can be improved are undoubtedly: to allow a greater possibility of native customization, to allow less link to scripting and more wizards, and finally to provide certified and officially maintained extensions.”
- Qlik Sense Review, Filippo O.
7. MicroStrategy
MicroStrategy is a business intelligence platform known for its scalability and comprehensive analytics capabilities. It excels in creating detailed and interactive dashboards that provide deep insights into data, supporting advanced business analytics and data discovery.
MicroStrategy’s 30-day free trial allows users to sign up without any cost and test out all features.
Pros of MicroStrategy |
Cons of MicroStrategy |
| Handles large volumes of data efficiently, making it suitable for enterprises | Can be resource-intensive, requiring significant IT infrastructure |
| Offers diverse functionalities like predictive analytics and advanced visualizations | May be less flexible and customizable compared to other modern tools |
| Provides robust data governance and security | Initial setup and configuration can be complex |
What users like best:
“I love the user interface of MicroStrategy; no feature is missing, and the software’s installation was flawless. It has the necessary tools to analyze any internal data, create reports, and perform follow-ups to get excellent data validation. It has no errors in management, and I can compile accurate information bases for my clients or projects. It increases the probability of generating advanced data.”
- MicroStrategy Review, Elizabeth N.
What users dislike:
“The SQL that it generates isn't readily available to see and view like other tools like Looker. There are some nuances that you have to work through as well that can be kind of annoying if you don't understand them. The backend can be hard to understand at first.”
- MicroStrategy Review, Todd G.
8. Amazon QuickSight
Amazon QuickSight is a cloud-powered business intelligence service from Amazon Web Services (AWS) designed to deliver fast and easy-to-understand insights through interactive dashboards. It uses machine learning to offer predictive analytics, making it perfect for data-driven organizations looking to gain actionable insights.
The platform is available for free for 30 days for up to 4 users per account.
Pros of Amazon QuickSight |
Cons of Amazon QuickSight |
| Integrates effortlessly with other AWS platforms | Exporting dashboards and reports may be more clunky than other platforms |
| Highly scalable and grows with your data needs | Depending on location, there may be slight data latency issues |
| Uses ML to provide predictive analytics and uncover hidden data patterns | Advanced customization features may be limited for some use cases |
What users like best:
“I like Amazon Quicksight the best because it is easy to use. I can also integrate easily with my products. There are many features I can use that are helpful for my company. It is easy to implement and integrate. Finally, customer support is beneficial.”
- Amazon QuickSight Review, Abanob M.
What users dislike:
“Advanced functionality in the dashboard is pretty limited. There is an equivalent to Dax, but in comparison, it's much more limited. The error message it gives you sometimes looks like SQL syntax and references nested case statements, which makes me think the function has been converted to some sort of simple SQL function behind the scenes. We don't need to do many advanced calculations in our datasets, but even then, I have run into things that just can't be done.”
- Amazon QuickSight Review, Abhishika M.
9. Alteryx
Alteryx is a data analytics platform known for its ability to prepare, blend, and analyze data from various sources. It offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the complex process of data preparation and analytics, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users.
Alteryx has a free trial for both desktop and cloud infrastructure and offers community support.
Pros of Alteryx |
Cons of Alteryx |
| Provides free learning resources and tutorials | May need business intelligence tool integrations for advanced visualization needs |
| Simplifies data preparation and analytics with an easy-to-use interface. | Requires substantial system resources for optimal performance |
| Offers strong community support and resources, even to free users | Premium plans may get expensive for small businesses and individual users |
What users like best:
“I really appreciate Alteryx for its user interface, which allows me to easily create workflows without having to code. It works seamlessly with data sources, giving me access to analytics tools for predictive and spatial analysis along with data cleaning capabilities. The automation feature simplifies tasks, making data processing more consistent and efficient. Additionally, the vibrant Alteryx Community offers templates and advice, which makes learning a breeze. What's great is that it can handle both datasets and big data, catering perfectly to my data requirements.”
- Alteryx Review, Leandro L.
What users dislike:
“One of the drawbacks is the presence of some bugs accompanying version upgrades. Because of this, I hesitate to adopt the latest version immediately. However, in most cases, these issues are resolved through patches, so it's not a serious concern. Furthermore, bugs are often linked to Alteryx continuously releasing new tools and features. In that sense, it's not necessarily negative and can be seen as beneficial for users in the long term.”
- Alteryx Review, Ippei N.
10. Sigma
Sigma empowers businesses to explore and analyze data directly and intuitively. With its spreadsheet-like interface, Sigma makes data analytics accessible to users of all technical backgrounds, facilitating collaborative data exploration and dashboard creation.
New users can enjoy Sigma’s free trial without any commitment.
Pros of Sigma |
Cons of Sigma |
| Allows for real-time data analysis and visualization | Requires an internet connection for full functionality |
| Offers the full power of no-code SQL | The range of visualization techniques may be less extensive for power users |
| Highly scalable and accessible as it is fully cloud-based | Offers fewer advanced customization options compared to other dashboard tools |
What users like best:
“The best feature is that we can create different dashboards according to our needs, and when integrated with Salesforce, we get the exact numbers. Sigma is easy to use, and we use it daily since we are from the customer support team.”
- Sigma Review, Ankur P.
What users dislike:
“The tool is growing, so some of the more sophisticated formatting and data visualizations aren't available (yet). This has not been an issue for us as what is included meets our needs. I also anticipate they will improve the offerings over time, and there are functions to add custom visualizations if you have the resources to write that code.”
- Sigma Review, Cassie F.
Comparison of the best free dashboard software
If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about free data dashboard software, this comparison table will help you with all the significant aspects:
| Software name | G2 rating | Free plan | Paid plan |
| Tableau | 4.4/5 | A free trial is available | Custom pricing |
| Looker | 4.4/5 | Available to use for free | Custom pricing |
| Microsoft Power BI | 4.5/5 | Available with limited features | Starting at $10/user/month |
| Sisense | 4.2/5 | 30-day free trial | Custom pricing |
| Domo | 4.4/5 | 30-day free trial | Custom pricing |
| Qlik Sense | 4.5/5 | 30-day free trial | Starting at $825/month |
| MicroStrategy | 4.2/5 | 30-day free trial | Custom pricing |
| Amazon QuickSight | 4.3/5 | 30-day free trial | Starting at $24/user/month |
| Alteryx | 4.6/5 | A free trial is available (for desktop and cloud) | Custom pricing |
| Sigma | 4.4/5 | A free trial is available | Custom pricing |
Frequently asked questions on free dashboard software
Have more questions? Find your answers below!
Q. How customizable are the dashboards in free software?
Customization capabilities vary widely among free dashboard tools. While many offer basic customization, such as changing colors, fonts, and graph/chart types, advanced customizations may require paid plans.
Q. How user-friendly is free dashboard software for non-technical users?
Many free dashboard tools are designed for non-technical users, offering drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built dashboard templates, and guided tutorials. However, ease of use can vary, so consider signing up for a demo or trial to check user-friendliness.
Q. How secure is my data with free dashboard reporting software?
Data security varies by software. Check whether the provider offers robust security measures, such as encryption, user authentication, and compliance with data protection regulations. Also, verify if the software offers granular control over data access to protect sensitive information.
Data never looked so good
If data is the new oil, having the right visualization tools is indispensable. The free dashboard platforms we’ve explored offer powerful capabilities to transform how you work with data. Start testing them today and discover how they can empower your daily workflows.
We hope this list takes you one step closer to finding the right solution!
Get the best relational databases to connect with your new dashboard and pull real-time structured data for faster decision-making.
Edited by Monishka Agrawal
Washija Kazim
Washija Kazim is a Sr. Content Marketing Specialist at G2 focused on creating actionable SaaS content for IT management and infrastructure needs. With a professional degree in business administration, she specializes in subjects like business logic, impact analysis, data lifecycle management, and cryptocurrency. In her spare time, she can be found buried nose-deep in a book, lost in her favorite cinematic world, or planning her next trip to the mountains.
