Microsoft Power BI stands out as the far superior choice, even in light of recent price increases for its Pro and Premium Per User (PPU) licenses.
Price Table:

Power BI is the leading data visualization tool with more than 6.5 million users and over 350,000 organizations using the platform to analyze and visualize their data. Despite the upcoming price increase, Power BI continues to offer amazing value for money. Here’s why we believe Power BI is worth the investment:
At a Glance:
- First Price Increase in 10 Years: Power BI’s Pro and Premium Per User licenses are seeing their first price change in a decade – a testament to its long-standing value and stability.
- Still Significantly More Affordable: Even with the upcoming price hike, Power BI remains 150% to 700% more affordable compared to leading alternatives like Tableau and Qlik Sense Analytics.
- Unmatched Capabilities: The real reason to choose Power BI isn’t the price – it’s the exceptional value, features, and integration that make it the most complete business intelligence platform available.
Who Is Affected by the Power BI Price Change?
The pricing update will affect different customer segments based on their current agreements and subscription models:
- New Customers: Commercial customers purchasing Power BI licenses for the first time after April 1, 2025, will be subject to the updated pricing structure.
- Existing Enterprise Agreement (EA) Customers: Those with EA licenses for Power BI Pro or Power BI PPU standalone products will continue to have their current pricing until their next renewal. However, renewals or new agreements executed after April 1, 2025, will be subject to the new pricing.
- Microsoft 365 E5 and Office 365 E5 Customers: Customers with Power BI included in their Microsoft 365 E5 or Office 365 E5 annual subscriptions will not experience any pricing changes for their existing annual billing.
1. First Price Increase in a Decade
For the first time since its launch over 10 years ago, Power BI’s pricing is increasing. Effective April 1, 2025, Power BI Pro licenses will rise from $10 to $14 per user, while Premium Per User (PPU) licenses will move from $20 to $24 per user.
This price adjustment is remarkable for its rarity. In an industry where frequent price changes are common, Power BI has maintained its original pricing for a decade while continually adding innovative features like AI capabilities, seamless integration with Microsoft tools and third-party platforms, and cloud-based scalability.
2. Still the Most Affordable Option
Even after the price adjustment, Power BI remains a far more affordable option compared to competitors. Consider this:
- Tableau Viewer starts at $35 per user—150% more expensive than Power BI Pro.
- Qlik Premium is priced at $125 per user—over 421% more expensive than Power BI PPU.
These differences are not just about numbers; they reflect Power BI’s commitment to providing cost-effective solutions for organizations of all sizes. Power BI lets businesses pay only for what they need, avoiding unnecessary costs.
Current Power BI Pricing Comparison


Calculation Based on Updated PBI Pricing (Starting from April 1, 2025):
From the table, we see that even with the price adjustment, Power BI maintains a strong pricing advantage with its Pro ($14) and Premium Per User ($24) tiers compared to competitors. Tableau’s entry-level Viewer license ($35) costs 46% more than Power BI’s PPU, while Qlik Sense Analytics Premium ($125) represents a striking 793% premium over Power BI Pro. Even when compared to Tableau Creator ($115) and Qlik Sense Standard ($41), Power BI’s pricing structure remains significantly more competitive, making it the most economical choice in the business intelligence market.
Gartner’s Magic Quadrant BI Leaders: A Feature Analysis
Tableau Enterprise:

Qlik Sense Analytics:

Microsoft Power BI:

3. The Best Value for Your Investment
While Power BI’s affordability is a huge advantage, the real reason you should choose Power BI is its unparalleled capabilities and value. Here’s why:
- Comprehensive Feature Set: Power BI’s licensing tiers provide a wide range of functionalities that cater to various user needs – from basic report viewing in the Free tier to advanced AI and data modeling in the PPU tier. The seamless integration with other Microsoft products like Azure and Office 365 further enhances its utility, providing a streamlined ecosystem for data management and analysis.
- Scalability: Power BI is designed to scale with your business. The tiered pricing allows you to start with the Free or Pro versions and upgrade to PPU as your analytical requirements grow. This ensures that you only pay for the features you truly need, avoiding unnecessary expenditures on functionalities that may not be immediately required.
- User-Friendly Design: Power BI’s intuitive interface reduces the learning curve for new users, allowing teams to quickly adopt the platform. This ease of use accelerates data-driven decision-making, boosting productivity across the organization.
- Community and Support: Microsoft’s extensive support network and active user community ensure that you’ll always have the resources needed for troubleshooting and continuous learning. Additionally, regular updates and feature improvements ensure that Power BI stays at the forefront of BI technology.
Why This Matters
The upcoming price increase reflects the growing value and investment Microsoft continues to make in Power BI. According to their announcement, the company has implemented over 1,500 updates to Power BI over the past six years. Far from being a reason to hesitate, the price increase underscores Power BI’s position as the most capable, scalable, and affordable analytics platform on the market.
Instead of choosing Power BI solely for its price, consider what you’re getting:
- A proven, feature-rich platform with a track record of innovation.
- A long-term partner that’s committed to delivering value at every price point.
If you’re ready to elevate your business intelligence game, Power BI remains your best choice – at any price.
Conclusion
While Tableau Enterprise and Qlik Sense Analytics offer powerful BI solutions, Microsoft Power BI remains the superior choice for organizations looking for a cost – effective, scalable, and feature-rich platform.
Despite the upcoming price increases for Power BI Pro and PPU licenses – the first in ten years – the platform’s extensive functionality, seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystems, and overall cost-effectiveness, make it the best option for businesses aiming to realize the full potential of their data.