We Tried 7 Top Dashboard Tools to Consider for Your Business

Contents

• Introduction
• What are Dashboard Tools?
• Top 7 Dashboard Tools for Businesses and Organizations
• Why are Dashboard Tools Important?
• Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Dashboard Tool
• Improve Your Business’s Workflow with Minimal Dashboard

Introduction

Choosing the right dashboard tool can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Whether you’re managing sales, tracking key metrics, or building customer portals, having the right tool that meets your needs is a must-have.

The right dashboard tool can make a big difference, helping you stay organized, visualize data, and run your business smoothly. All of these take you closer to your ultimate goals of customer satisfaction and improving your bottom line.

In this Minimal Dashboard article, we’ll review some of the top dashboard tools on the market that we’ve tested. For each tool, we’ll outline its features, pros, cons, and pricing structure. We also provided insights into how you can choose the right tool and maximize it for your business.

What are Dashboard Tools?

Dashboard tools are software platforms that collect, organize, visualize, and monitor data from various sources in one central location–a dashboard. They transform raw data into easy-to-understand visual representations, like charts, graphs, and tables.

These tools pull data from different sources – your website, social media, sales platforms, cloud services, spreadsheets, and more – and present it in a way that makes sense at a glance. This helps you spot trends, identify issues, and make informed decisions quickly.

With a dashboard tool, you can:

• Create and manage interactive dashboards
• Connect to multiple data sources simultaneously
• Set up customizable widgets and data visualization options
• Refresh data to show the latest real-time information
• Generate detailed reports for in-depth analysis

Maximize these capabilities to turn your business’s data into actionable insights to improve operational efficiency.

Top 7 Dashboard Tools for Businesses and Organizations

1. Minimal Dashboard
2. Microsoft Power BI
3. Databox
4. Looker Studio
5. Tableau
6. Klipfolio Klips
7. AWS QuickSight

1. Minimal Dashboard

Minimal Dashboard is an intuitive business intelligence tool designed to simplify data visualization and reporting. Our platform allows users to create clean, streamlined dashboards that present key metrics and insights without unnecessary complexity. Ideal for businesses looking to enhance their decision-making processes, Minimal Dashboard emphasizes ease of use and clarity.

Key Features

• Customizable Dashboards: Easily create and personalize dashboards to fit your business needs without any coding.
• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design ensures a seamless experience for all users, regardless of technical expertise.
• Real-Time Data Integration: Connects to various data sources, providing up-to-date insights at your fingertips.
• Actionable Insights: Visualize key metrics and performance indicators for informed decision-making.
• Accessibility Across Devices: Responsive design allows users to access dashboards from any device, anytime.
• Quick Setup: Get started in minutes with easy-to-follow setup processes.

Pricing

Minimal Dashboard offers flexible pricing plans to suit various needs. Solo Plan for individuals at $9/month (1 dashboard, 10 metrics, 1 user), Startup for teams at $29/month (5 dashboards, 30 metrics, 5 users), and Business for data-driven companies at $79/month (20 dashboards, 100 metrics, 50 users). Each plan can be tried for free, making it easy to find the right fit for your needs.

Pros

• User-friendly interface that caters to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced users
• Quick setup and integration with existing data sources
• Emphasis on essential metrics helps users focus on what matters most for their business

Cons

• Limited features in the free plan may not meet the needs of larger organizations

2. Microsoft Power BI

The first dashboard tool we’ll be discussing is Power BI, a comprehensive business dashboard tool from Microsoft. You can use this tool to create and design interactive dashboards and reports out of your data. It integrates with multiple external and internal data sources and offers advanced data visualization capabilities, including maps, graphs, and interactive charts.

Key Features

• Connectivity to Data Sources: Power BI can connect to many data sources, including Excel, SQL Server, cloud services, and many more.
• AI-Powered Data Visualization: You can transform your data into visuals and create excellent reports on Power BI using advanced data analysis tools and AI capabilities.
• Data Consolidation: Power BI lets you create datasets from multiple sources and aggregate them to your data hub, creating a central data location for your business.
• Embedded Reports: The Power BI embedded feature allows you to create and embed informative resorts in your websites and apps for improved usability and user engagement.

Pricing

Power BI has a free plan, which is included in the Microsoft Fabric free account. To access advanced features like publishing and sharing, you need to subscribe to the Power BI Pro for $10/month/user or Power BI Premium for $20/month/user.

Pros

• User-friendly interface, making it easy to use for all users of all skill levels
• Integrates with the Microsoft ecosystem, including SharePoint, Excel, and PowerApps
• AI capabilities for faster and easier data consolidation and analysis

Cons

• The free plan has limited publishing capabilities
• Users have reported issues with processing large data
• Works best for users already in the Microsoft ecosystem

3. Databox

Databox is another dashboard tool businesses may consider. As a cloud-based business analytics platform, it consolidates data from various sources into a single, interactive dashboard that tracks high-level metrics. This tool is popular among businesses for its extensive pricing options, including a free, non-expiring plan for basic use cases.

Key Features

• Intuitive Reports Interface: Databox offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface for both self-service and standard reports, making it easier to generate and interpret reports.
• Flexible Visualizations: Offers numerous built-in chart and graph formats, allowing you or your clients to visualize and understand data in the easiest way possible.
• Score Cards for KPIs: Databox provides scorecards that visually track your business’s key performance indicators (KPIs) in one place. It supports thousands of pre-made metrics, and you can build your own.
• Performance Management: Monitors and notifies you of spikes or dips in important metrics so you can address issues before they escalate. Sends performance updates automatically to mobile, email, or Slack.

Pricing

Databox offers a free plan for individuals and small teams, which lets you monitor the most important metrics daily for up to three data sources. Advanced features like more custom metrics, historical data, and faster data updates are available on paid plans, starting at $47/month.

Pros

• Offers a decent free version for small businesses that’s available forever
• Customizable and easy-to-use controls
• Dashboards are accessible on mobile devices

Cons

• Historical data limitations for lower-tier plans
• Higher-tier plans can be expensive for small business
• The initial setup is complex and may take time

4. Looker Studio

Looker Studio, formerly Google Data Studio, is Google’s re-imagined dashboard tool that creates customizable analytic dashboards for businesses. It stands out for its collaborative features, allowing users and third parties to access data and reports in real time.

This dashboard solution also integrates core Google technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) for advanced analytics.

Key Features

• Extensive Integrations: Looker Studio allows you to report on data from different sources without programming, including databases, Google Marketing Platform products, Google consumer products, and social media.
• Collaboration Features: Looker Studio supports collaborative work, enabling you to share insights with individuals, teams, or the general public. You can also invite others to view or edit your reports.
• Data Visualization: Turn your data from multiple sources into simple, informative, and fully customizable dashboards and reports using the inbuilt drag-and-drop report editor.
• Report Templates: Offers tons of report templates to get you started on visualizing data in minutes. Simply connect your data sources and start creating your customized dashboard.

Pricing

Looker Studio is available for free as a self-service business intelligence tool. Enterprise customers can upgrade to Looker Studio Pro for support and expanded administrative features. The Looker Studio Pro costs $9/user/project every month.

Pros

• Easy to navigate and use, even for non-technical users
• Supports integration with Google ecosystem and other data sources
• Supports report embedding on webpages and intranet

Cons

• Lacks advanced analytical functions compared to other options
• It can get resource-intensive when processing large datasets

5. Tableau

Since its acquisition by Salesforce in 2019, Tableau has grown into a powerful dashboard tool for businesses of all sizes. As an AI-powered business intelligence and analytics software, it combines excellent data visualization and analytics reporting capabilities to create interactive and shareable dashboards.

Key Features

• Interactive Dashboards: Tableau allows you to create interactive, real-time visualizations with ease. You can combine data sources, add filters, and drill down into specific information.
• Data Connectivity: It connects to many data sources, including SQL Server, Excel spreadsheets, and cloud-based data like Amazon Redshift for effective data consolidation.
• Advanced Analytics: With built-in analytics features, you can perform complex calculations, statistical analysis, and predictive modeling directly within your dashboards.
• Intuitive User Interface: Build dashboards using a simple drag-and-drop interface instead of SQL lines. Get insights faster by avoiding repetitive tasks and without compromising trust and data security using Tableau AI.

Pricing

Tableau offers various pricing plans depending on your business needs:

• Tableau Viewer: $15/user/month for dashboard creation and interaction.
• Tableau Explorer: $42/user/month for data exploration, visualization, and full-service analytics.
• Tableau Creator: $75/user/month for full feature access, including data preparation, management, and insights.

Each plan comes with a free trial.

Pros

• Drag-and-drop functionality makes it accessible even for non-technical users
• Connects to many diverse data sources
• Tableau AI simplifies insights generation and consumption

Cons

• May struggle with large-scale data analysis and reporting
• Using the advanced features may come with a steep learning curve

6. Klipfolio Klips

As a dashboard tool, Klipfolio shines in helping business users and data teams consolidate and explore data from multiple sources. Its inbuilt data filters, segments, and dimensions help to process data for quick and actionable insights.

The interactive Klipfolio Klips dashboards can also track important business KPIs and offer valuable contextual information.

Key Features

• Klip Editor: Consolidate and simplify complex data into easy-to-understand visual dashboards using an extensive library of formulas and functions, filtering, grouping, and sorting.
• Automated Reporting: Convert dashboards, reports, and insights into shareable /images/blog/we-tried-7-top-dashboard-tools-to-consider-for-your-business and PDFs for a one-time or scheduled automated distribution to team members and stakeholders.
• Advanced Customization Features: Besides custom themes, Klipfolio lets you customize your Klips using an HTML template component, along with inline CSS and Javascript.
• Implementation and Onboarding: For a quick start, Klipfolio offers data stack integration and dashboard creation services. It also offers training plans to guide your team on how to maximize the platform and its tools.

Pricing

Klipfolio has plans for agencies, businesses, and enterprises, all with a 14-day free trial. The business plans include:

• Grow ($170/month): offers 15 dashboards and 1hr data refresh for unlimited users
• Team ($310/month): offers 30 dashboards, 15-minute data refresh, and advanced customization
• Team Plus ($600/month): offers 60 dashboards, instant data refresh, and 1:1 onboarding

You can also add extra features to each plan as top-ups at different costs.

Pros

• Excel-like formulas and functions for data analysis
• Customizable dashboards using HTML, CSS, and JS
• Extensive chat library with over 30 chart types to choose from

Cons

• Advanced customizations may require some learning
• Larger datasets can lead to a lag in performance
• Low-tier plans offer limited customization features

7. AWS QuickSight

AWS (Amazon Web Services) QuickSight is becoming increasingly popular as a dashboard tool for its excellent native integration within the AWS environment. It excels in consolidating and refining large datasets with excellent dashboard creation capabilities. If you are already in the AWS cloud’s ecosystem, this should be your dashboard tool.

Key Features

• Super Dashboards: Create, schedule, and share analytics and reports from diverse datasets without any servers or infrastructure to manage.
• Generative BI: Amazon Q within AWS Quicksight uses generative business intelligence capabilities to build, discover, and share meaningful insights in seconds for faster decision-making.
• Easy Scaling: AWS Quicksight lets you scale your dashboards and reports to thousands of users without setting up, configuring, or managing your own servers.
• Embedded Analytics: Offers an easy one-click embedding for easy integration of dashboards. You can add your dashboards to public websites, wikis, and applications without coding.

Pricing

Amazon QuickSight is priced by user role:

• Authors: Connect to data, create dashboards and reports, and share content at $24/user/month for Author or $50/user/month for Author Pro.
• Readers: Explore interactive dashboards, receive email reports, and download data at $3/user/month for Reader or $20/user/month for Reader Pro.
• Capacity Pricing: Get Reader sessions and Amazon Q question capabilities in bulk, starting at $250/month for 500 sessions or questions.

Pros

• Connects to multiple data sources for data consolidation
• Supports building and sharing customized dashboards and reports
• Scalable to accommodate as many users as possible

Cons

• Visualization capabilities are limited
• Features like report generation and embedded applications are only available in higher-tier plans
• Switching between plans can be challenging

Why are Dashboard Tools Important?

Here are some of the benefits of having a dashboard tool:

Improved Visibility

Dashboard tools provide a clear, real-time view of your most important metrics, making it easier to monitor performance across all areas of your business. With automatic refresh features, these tools let you see changes in data, when it happens, and why it happens.

Enhanced Decision Making

With data presented in a concise, visual format, dashboard tools help you make faster, more accurate decisions. Having all your key information in one place helps you compare metrics, analyze outcomes, and adjust your strategies promptly, leading to better business outcomes.

Increased Collaboration

Dashboard tools facilitate teamwork by allowing multiple users and stakeholders to access and share insights. Whether you’re working with a small team or across departments, dashboard tools can keep everyone in the loop, fostering better communication and more coordinated efforts.

Optimized Resource Allocation

By providing insights into your business’s performance, dashboard tools help you allocate resources more effectively. You can easily see where to invest more time, money, or personnel and where to cut back. This ensures that your resources are used in the most efficient way possible.

Client Satisfaction

Dashboard tools help you understand data better, including data associated with customer satisfaction and feedback. These insights can help you understand clients’ needs and how to meet them better, thereby improving customer satisfaction and building stronger relationships.

Data Safety and Security

Dashboard tools prioritize the protection of your sensitive data with adequate built-in security measures, such as encryption and role-based access controls. This ensures that only authorized users can access critical information, keeping your business and client data safe from unauthorized access or breaches.

Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Dashboard Tool

To choose the right dashboard tool, you’ll need to carefully consider the following criteria:

• Integration Capabilities: Ensure compatibility with software and data sources you already use, such as your website, spreadsheets, CRM, or ecommerce platforms. It should also support pre-built integrations for popular business tools in your industry.
• Customization Options: A good dashboard tool allows you to create visually appealing dashboards with interactive elements with little or no technical skills. Opt for tools with extensive customization options, including colors, fonts, and layouts, to match brand identity.
• Data Access: The ideal dashboard tool simplifies the data import process and offers automation capabilities for real-time updates. Look for tools that are accessible from multiple devices, including mobile devices, to make collaborations easier.
• Ease of Use: Your ideal dashboard tool should not require a data specialist to maximize its usage. Go for a tool that’s easy to set up and manage, even for non-technical users. Check for the availability of templates or pre-built dashboards for a quick start.
• Pricing: Dashboard tools offer different pricing structures. Evaluate the value provided relative to the cost for your specific business needs and ensure they align. Transparency about costs for advanced features, add-ons, or integrations is also important.
• Data Privacy: Data security is important. Ensure your dashboard tool offers strong data privacy measures, including encryption, user access and permission control, secure data storage, and access controls. Check for compliance with relevant data protection regulations.
• Support: Even the most user-friendly dashboard tools can pose challenges during use. So, look for tools that offer multiple customer support options to resolve issues quickly. These include self-service options and support channels such as live chat, phone, and email.

Improve Your Business’s Workflow with Minimal Dashboard

Choosing the right dashboard software helps you quickly turn data into useful insights and create engaging reports that add value to your business. When choosing your dashboard tool, compare the features and ensure you go for one that meets your specific needs and offers the features necessary for your business’s growth.

At Minimal Dashboard, we help businesses make sense of their data with our intuitive dashboard tool. By aggregating your organizational data into one central location, you can stay informed, spot trends, and assess the impact of your business decisions in real-time.

Start a free trial today to see how Minimal Dashboard can transform your workflow.