For any business, data and data interpretation play a crucial role. There are many key learnings about a business hidden in the data, which need to be interpreted in the right way. To do so, there are data visualization tools.
The search for the right data visualization software is a tiring one. Data, unless used correctly, can become burdensome quickly and to do so good data visualization software is needed. With countless business intelligence and analytics software tools in the market, it becomes difficult to differentiate, compare and analyze all of them.
That is why we have compiled a list of some of the top data visualization tools in this article.
What is Business Intelligence and Data Visualization Software?
First, let’s begin with understanding what exactly is data visualization software.
Data visualization software or dashboard tools interpret numbers and information, and translate it into a visual approach by converting it into charts, tables, graphs, and more. It’s, therefore, no surprise that we prefer colors, objects, and images more than numbers and that’s why data visualization tools do what they do.
They convert large data inputs and present them in a graphical medium to help businesses make data-driven decisions faster and more efficiently. The data visualization software is often integrated with an underlying system that feeds it the data to be analyzed, reported, and measured against KPIs to translate it in a visual manner.
This makes understanding difficult concepts or hard-to-interpret data easier. It relies on input through the integrated system or software in order for it to translate and present the data in a visual manner.
Why Does My Business Need Data Visualization Software
There are many reasons why we should use data visualization software and data analytics software. The most important one is easy and quick comprehension of data, also known as data analytics. The cohesive and easily interpreted translation of data enables businesses to act on it quickly.
Analyzing statistics and information in a graphical format shortens the decision-making time. It also helps identify and recognize patterns that are otherwise difficult to pinpoint.
There are certain parameters that are easy to identify and group together when presented in a visual form, as opposed to a numerical or textual manner. Data visualizations can aid in spotting problems or trends before they catch on.
When represented graphically, pitfalls are easier to discover and act upon, and in a similar fashion, trends are easier to spot. Acting fast on trends or possible discrepancies can affect the bottom line and make all the difference in running a business.
One underrated benefit of data visualization is the ease of communication that it provides, whether internal or external.
The visual cues provided by data visualization tools make communication of data and insights easier between internal and external consumers. For businesses with various teams, this reduces the chances of misinterpretation and makes internal communication easier and more efficient.
Common Misperceptions Of Data Visualization Tools
A common misperception is that you need big data in order to benefit from data visualization.
On the contrary, any sized business, from a one-person shop to a mega-enterprise can benefit from business intelligence software and analytics software to glean insights from your source data.
The key is to have important data to visualize, it doesn’t have to be tons of it.
A data visualization tool provides the right balance between effective communication and visual representation and in doing so makes it easier for businesses to operate and manage key factors. It allows your business to be data-driven.
Factors to Consider in Choosing a Data Visualization Software Tool
Choosing the correct data visualization software tool for your business can take time and effort, given the many available options. Here are some key factors to consider when making your decision:
1. Ease of Use
Ease of use is one of the most critical factors to consider when choosing a data visualization software tool. The tool should be intuitive and user-friendly, providing a smooth onboarding experience and enabling users to start visualizing data quickly. Look for tools with drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built templates that simplify the data visualization process.
2. Connectivity and Compatibility
Another essential factor is the software's ability to connect to your data sources. The software should be compatible with your data's source(s), allowing you to quickly and easily access and analyze data. Some tools may require additional connectors or configurations to support particular data sources, so checking if the software's connectivity options align with your business's data needs is essential.
3. Scalability
Choosing a data visualization software tool that can handle the scale of your data needs is essential. The software should be designed to support the size and complexity of your datasets without compromising performance. Consider the software's data storage capacity, performance speed, and ability to integrate with other software tools and services as your data needs expand.
4. Features and Functionalities
Different data visualization software tools offer other features and functionalities, so evaluating which elements are essential for your business needs is critical. Standard features include drag-and-drop interfaces, custom visualization options, charts, graphs, and reports. Advanced functionalities may consist of data aggregation, AI-powered insights, and real-time collaboration.
5. Price and Value for Money
Choosing a data visualization software tool involves weighing its cost against the value it provides to your business. Consider the software's price point, including initial setup costs and ongoing licensing fees. Additionally, evaluate the software's value proposition, including how it aligns with your business needs and potential return on investment.
6. Customer Support and Training
Finally, consider the level of customer support and training the software provider offers. Look for software providers that offer comprehensive user documentation, training resources, and responsive customer support. Additionally, consider the availability of user communities or forums for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and support.
Ultimately, evaluating each data visualization software tool based on your business needs and goals is essential, and weighing these factors in your decision-making process.
What Is The Best Data Visualization Software?
In order to help with the research and comparison process for the right data visualization software, we’ve pulled together a list of the best data visualization tools based on research and reviews by existing users. The unbiased reviews that you, our readers, contribute will help us understand the data visualization tools better and help study the key differences between them.
We like to caution that any list of the top data visualization tools or best visualization software is missing one key ingredient, and that is your user requirements.
Without understanding more of your use case, such as the type of analysis your business needs to do, specific visualization methods you need, your pricing constraints, the advanced and key features you need from a solution, any list is just a research tool.
So our concept of best data visualization tools is not just the ones that are the best in making money, or best in size, or best in marketing and industry analyst press and coverage.
But it’s the ones that we feel are best for the common use cases of data visualization in terms of functionality, features, cost, and total cost of ownership. This includes modern software, tools that are actively developed, visualizations much be interactive, must be simple to create, and ideally offer real-time data analysis.
We have looked at demos of traditional and newer visualization tools and while not all made this list, at a later date we will list more in a secondary list of data visualization software options.
Choosing a visualization tool is tough, so without further ado, here is a list of our 9 best data visualization tools for businesses today. Without a doubt, Tableau and Power BI top our data visualization list, but there are many other options to choose from.
Learn more about the types of visualization solutions available and find the one that may be the best visualization software for your business.
Note: There are micro-niches within the category of data visualization that you can also check out. Please see our reviews of best free data analytics software, best open source bi software, best enterprise BI tools, and best self-service BI solutions.
The Top 9 Best Data Visualization Software for 2023
Data visualization is a critical tool in today's data-driven world. With the massive amounts of data being generated daily, it is essential to have the right software tools to visualize and communicate this data effectively. Here are the top 9 data visualization software tools to consider in 2023.
1. Tableau
Tableau is a powerful data visualization tool that allows users to create interactive dashboards, reports, and charts. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Tableau makes it easy for users to connect to data sources, explore data, and create visualizations that can be shared with others. Tableau offers various features and functionalities like advanced analytics, data blending, and automated updates.
2. Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI is a cloud-based data visualization tool that allows users to connect to multiple data sources, create interactive reports and dashboards, and share them with others. Power BI offers a range of pre-built templates, quick insights, and custom visualization options, making it easy for users to create stunning visualizations without coding skills. However, the platform is still mainly limited to Windows-based systems.
3. Qlik Sense
Qlik Sense is another popular data visualization tool that allows users to create interactive, visual data stories. With its drag-and-drop interface, users can easily explore data, create visualizations, and share insights with others. Qlik Sense offers many features and functionalities, such as data integration, AI-powered insights, and real-time data collaboration.
4. Looker Studio
Looker Studio is a data visualization and business intelligence platform that allows users to create custom reports, dashboards, and data experiences. With its browser-based interface, Looker makes it easy for users to work with data and analyze it within the platform. However, Looker can be challenging to set up and requires significant investments.
5. Domo
Domo is a cloud-based platform that allows users to create interactive dashboards, reports, and alerts. With its mobile-focused interface, Domo makes it easy for users to access data on the go and create visualizations that can be shared with others. However, the platform can be costly and have complex implementation requirements, which may only be feasible for some businesses.
6. Klipfolio
Klipfolio is a cloud-based data analytics dashboard that allows users to create custom visualizations and reports. With its simple drag-and-drop interface, users can easily create and edit visualizations and share them with others. However, Klipfolio may need more advanced features and functionalities of other platforms.
7. Zoho Analytics
Zoho Analytics is a powerful platform that allows users to create interactive visualizations, pivot tables, and reports. Its user-friendly interface will enable users to easily connect to data sources and create custom dashboards and visualizations. However, the platform's capabilities can limit the scalability of the data, leading users to seek more advanced data visualization software as their data needs grow.
8. Sisense
Sisense is a business intelligence and data analytics platform that allows users to create interactive dashboards and reports. With its drag-and-drop interface, users can easily create and share custom visualizations with others. However, Sisense can be complex to configure and relies heavily on its partners and plugins to extend its functionality.
9. DashoardFox
DashboardFox is a remarkable software designed to help businesses quickly create custom dashboards and reports. With its built-in visualizations library and drag-and-drop interface, DashboardsFox simplifies creating complex visualizations. Plus, the platform's web-based interface allows easy access to data from anywhere worldwide. However, DashboardFox is a cloud-only solution and may be better for businesses that prefer to host their software solutions on-premise.
Let DashboardFox Help You in Data Visualization
Honestly, we used to put DashboardFox as a +1 on these lists, and not include ourselves as one of the best. It wasn’t because we didn’t believe it, but we were being modest; there were some things we needed to improve.
But with the recent enhancements to the product, such as API endpoint reporting, we’re confident enough to make the statement:
Of all the mentioned software tools available in 2023, DashboardFox stands out as one of the best.
With its impressive library of visualizations and intuitive drag-and-drop interface, DashboardFox makes report building quick and easy without any coding knowledge required.
A one-time payment scheme makes DashboardFox an affordable option that saves costs as data needs grow over time. It also provides a scalable solution that meets the changing and diverse needs of businesses.
DashboardFox's high-quality customer service ensures uninterrupted and swift access to support when the need arises.
With its codeless build reporting, DashboardFox makes data exploration and analysis effortless and hassle-free, free of code or programming.
Overall, DashboardFox provides one of the most valuable solutions for data visualization, report building, and data analysis that businesses can trust. As you choose the best data visualization software for your business, be sure to include DashboardFox as a top contender.
Now that we have shown how DashboardFox can help your business catapult to greater heights, let’s talk business. Schedule a meeting with us or try out DashboardFox’s best features with our free live demo sessions. We’ll wait for you!