When it comes to managing day-to-day tasks or agile projects, you have to monitor their performance to ensure everything goes according to plan. Fortunately, with the right dashboard software, you can identify trends, detect bottlenecks, and make predictions based on data without spending a fortune.
Dashboard software provides teams and agent handlers with essential business information, compressing big data into smaller and easier-to-understand information.
Since a BI dashboard (business intelligence dashboard) displays up-to-date information and trends, business users can use the data to monitor and measure performance and make informed business decisions.
Overview of Dashboard Software
Dashboard software is a data visualization tool that aggregates and displays key business metrics in real time. It serves as a central hub for decision-makers, transforming complex data from various sources into easily digestible, visual insights. This includes charts, graphs, and other data representations, offering a clear overview of business performance.
These dashboards provide actionable insights, helping users to track KPIs, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. Some dashboards even employ AI and machine learning for predictive analytics.
Dashboard software are critical instruments that help enterprise users grasp large datasets, glean hidden insights, monitor operations in real-time, and make predictions to gain a competitive edge. From business intelligence platforms to data visualization tools, the leading dashboard solutions on the market are geared toward facilitating data-driven decision-making and analysis using familiar visual elements and compelling interfaces.
Operational teams can use operational dashboards to respond to bottlenecks before they disrupt productivity. Similarly, financial teams can use the data to predict sales and revenue. And, of course, spy agencies can use the data to keep track of all their assignments.
Features of a Dashboard Software
- Data blending: combine data from multiple data sources to see the most crucial info. For example, the progress you’ve made towards achieving your key performance indicators (KPI)
- Data drill-downs: go from a high-level overview to a more detailed view of that data using charts and other visuals
- Customizations: make your dashboard your own by using tons of fonts, colors, backgrounds, widgets, and more
- Collaboration tools: work together on dashboards by commenting and sharing data with teammates and clients
- Mobile availability: monitor your performance and be up to date with your data on the go
- Data security: lock your business information by using role-based permissions, password protection, and two-factor authentication
Top 10 Dashboard Software
ClickUp
ClickUp is a highly-rated productivity and project management dashboard software used by super-productive teams in small and large companies. It lets you build Dashboards for any business scenario.
With 50+ Widget customizations to help you get insights into the most critical business analytics, you can monitor the performance of any business process with ease. From resource management to client reporting, these Dashboards have got you covered.
You can use ClickUp Dashboards to help assess your quarterly goals, see the time tracked on projects, spot potential bottlenecks, and more. Dashboards in ClickUp also help you understand your KPIs and business metrics better. A KPI Dashboard breaks down complex data into simple graphs and charts. This way, Dashboards make data analysis more accessible to you and your agents.
ClickUp also lets you customize your Dashboard with custom charts like:
- Line chart: create a custom line chart to identify trends in your intel
- Bar chart: use bar charts to see changes in crime rates over time
- Pie chart: use a custom pie chart to map out your intelligence agency’s expenses
ClickUp lets you secure your Dashboards by setting permissions. By default, Dashboards are classified (private) and only visible to you. But you can share them with anyone on your team or opt to display your Dashboard at the office in full-screen mode!
Features
- Views: view your business performance in Workload, Box, Board, and Gantt view
- Task statuses: add different stages to your work for accurate progress tracking
- Assign tasks: assign tasks to teammates to track your team’s workload
- Native time tracking: start and stop time from any device and generate reports from all your time entries, including billable hours
- ClickUp Goals: set a KPI for your team and track progress toward your business metrics
- Automation: use pre-built automation or customize it based on your needs, so your team can focus on the important stuff
- Custom Notifications: choose how and when you’re notified about ClickUp tasks and projects
- Table Widgets: see how your team is performing, who’s completed the most tasks, and who’s falling behind
- Templates: You can use this dashboard software’s Project Management Dashboard Template for your next project
Pros
- Powerful free version with unlimited users
- Easy-to-use user interface with online and offline mode
- Create roadmaps and outline processes for new teammates using Docs
- Collaboration detection informs you when a teammate is viewing or editing the same Doc as you in real-time
- Task Dependencies to help teams complete tasks in the correct order
- Integrates with several third-party software like Slack, Google Drive, Zoom, and more
- Add and manage tasks using our powerful iOS and Android mobile apps
- Supports Apple, Windows, and Linux platforms
Cons
- No Timeline view in the mobile app (yet)
Pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Business Plus: $19/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Google Looker Studio
Previously known as Google Data Studio, Looker Studio is Google’s re-imagined dashboard software solution for building visually compelling reports, dashboards, and informative data visualization elements. The tool brings together previous Data Studio features with Looker’s new business intelligence capabilities under the same platform.
It integrates with core Google technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML).
With more than 800 different data sources and more than 600 data connectors, Google Looker Studio is the ideal tool for syncing all your organization’s data sources into a streamlined, unified reporting interface. The solution also comes with its own modeling language, LookML, for creating semantic data models.
Features
- Integration with Google Sheets
- Support for more than 50 SQL databases
- LookML modeling language for creating semantic data models
- Easy-to-use merging capability for different data sources
Pros
- Full-featured free version
- Many available templates, data sources, and integrations
- Seamless interoperability across Google’s Suite
Cons
- The Developer license is expensive
- Only the Pro version offers additional collaboration capabilities for larger teams
- Add-on integrations priced individually (can get expensive if using many add-ons
Pricing
- Free and paid (Pro) versions—different licenses for Viewer, Standard, and Developer users ($30-125 per user, per month)
Klipfolio
Klipfolio is a data analytics dashboard software with a gallery of dashboard templates. You can also show off your technical skills by using its formulas, data modeling, and machine learning functionalities.
Features
- Build custom dashboards for client and team reporting
- Pre-built dashboards for content effectiveness, social media performance, and more
- Supports dashboard themes, pre-built data visualization tools, and more
- Automate data analytics to save time
Pros
- Can track data over time to identify historical data trends with ease
- Robust data filtering options to help you view the data you want
- Integrates with popular tools like Basecamp 3, Asana, and more
Cons
- The free plan has a limit of 10 dashboards
- Charts can be challenging to create and sometimes require programming skills
- Can’t display timeline data in a quarterly increment
Pricing
Klipfolio has four pricing plans for businesses. Plans start at $99/month.
Tableau
A veteran dashboard software developer, Tableau and its data visualization platform were acquired by enterprise cloud CRM giant Salesforce back in 2019. Since then, the product has continued to dominate in the data visualization market category.
For Salesforce users, this is a clear win-win. Tableau’s native Salesforce connector allows for a streamlined Salesforce-to-Tableau integration. On its own, this dashboard software’s powerful real-time data visualizations have for years made it a go-to for advanced graphical capabilities—a reputation it continues to hold to this day.
Features
- Powerful, high-performance analytic engine for gleaning insights from cloud and relational databases, spreadsheets, OLAP cubes, and more
- In-memory data connections to both live and external data sources
- Desktop and online versions available
- Advanced security with Active Directory and Kerberos
Pros
- Streamlined Salesforce integration
- User-friendly interface designed for non-developer users
- Advanced visualization capabilities and pre-installed map data
- Works well in both desktop and mobile versions
Cons
- Relatively high cost (and no unlimited free version)
- Lack of full-fledged business intelligence tools (e.g, large-scale reporting, static layouts)
- Steep learning curve for non-analyst users
Pricing
Viewer, Explorer, and Creator subscription levels ($15-70 per user, per month, billed annually).
TruOI
TruOI, formerly iDashboards is a data visualization tool and dashboard software that lets you create operational dashboards. The app enables you to combine data from popular sources like Airtable, Google Search, Instagram, and more.
However, essential features like the public access license are only available as premium add-ons.
Features
- Custom dashboards with drag-and-drop functionality
- Supports several chart and graph templates
- Drilldowns let you switch from an overview of your data to the granular details
- Role-based permissions control which individuals and groups can access, edit or view dashboards
Pros
- Can create healthcare, human resources, or marketing dashboard
- Available on a mobile device (iOS and Android)
- Add colors, backgrounds, alerts, and more to your charts and dashboards
Cons
- The form builder is only available as a premium add-on
- Configuring the charts require some coding experience
- Lacks task management features like assigning tasks and task priorities
Pricing
iDashboards has both a cloud and on-premises option. For pricing, request a custom quote from iDashboards.
Metabase
Like a few of the offerings already covered, Metabase is an open source dashboard software for querying and visualizing data sourced from a data pipeline or warehouse. The streamlined platform is known for its ease-of-use and low learning curve, with most tasks and configurations carried out via drop-and-drop interactions—no SQL required.
Features
- Easy monitoring/alert setup
- Customizable “on-click” dashboard behaviors for creating unique interactions
- Data instruments like a customizable data dictionary and editing tools for metadata curation
Pros
- Low learning curve and highly accessible for non-technical users
- Clean, easy-to-understand user interface
- Data project collaboration features for sharing visualized data across different teams
Cons
- No ad-hoc reporting and benchmarking
- Lacks advanced analytics capabilities
- More expensive than competing solutions
Pricing
- Starter to Pro tiers ($85-500 per month)
- Enterprise also available (custom pricing, starts at $15,000 per year)
Qlik
The QlikView dashboard software has long been a favorite of data professionals working in a variety of industries, from accounting and IT to healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Now known as Qlik Sense, the leading business intelligence platform is ideal for enterprises looking to access powerful analytics.
It offers interactive dashboards, and sophisticated business intelligence and data analysis capabilities.
Features
- Augmented analytics
- Visual data prep
- SaaS/Multi-cloud capabilities
- Machine learning toolkit identifies a wide range of KPIs
Pros
- Easy to create custom reporting dashboards for ad-hoc analyses
- Automated workflows and visual (low-code) workflow design tools
- Powerful extract, transform, load (ETL) capabilities
Cons
- Some reported performance issues with large datasets
- Limited pricing options (enterprise can be costly)
- The solution can be challenging for non-technical users, despite visual tools
- Has a limited number of data sources
Pricing
$30 per month for Qlik Sense Business, enterprise pricing is quote-based. Free, limited trial version available
Geckoboard
Geckoboard has established a reputation over the years for being a simple, no-nonsense dashboard software for building and sharing business dashboards. The solution’s built-in widget and template library enable users to create visually compelling, insightful dashboards in a short amount of time.
The data visualization tool is also especially adept for real-time tracking/monitoring/analysis of key performance indicators.
Geckoboard’s customizable interface can pull in over 100 data sources, including Salesforce, Tableau, Google Analytics, and Microsoft Power BI, to name a few—all without special coding or developer support.
Features
- Simple drag-and-drop dashboard editor
- Wizard assistant feature for quickly building effective visuals
- Multi-channel dashboard sharing/viewing via Slack, email, or any web browser
- Interesting “Send-to-TV” feature for creating freestanding dashboard kiosks
Pros
- Easy to configure and get up to speed with
- Cost-effective option for SMBs and individuals
- Live, in-browser support
Cons
- Limited in-built analytics
- Lack of fine-tuning and adjustments (e.g., for displaying data fields)
- Lacks more advanced features like ad-hoc reporting
Pricing
Essential, Pro, and Scale Tiers ($39-559 per month). Limited 14-day free trial available.
Zoho Analytics
Zoho Analytics is a business intelligence and analytics tool. This dashboard application has a cool, intelligent assistant called Zia. Ask her questions, and you’ll get answers in the form of a report.
However, some of the app’s advanced reporting features require technical skills.
Features
- Customize your business dashboard with charts, widgets, pivot tables, and tabular views
- Data alerts notify you when there are spikes or other changes in your data
- Compare and analyze key metrics across countries with map charts
- Import data from cloud databases with ease
Pros
- Supports analytics for your sales, finance, and marketing functions
- Can add real-time comments to shared views like summary view, pivot view, dashboards, and more
- Integrates with Salesforce CRM, Google Analytics, Quickbooks, and more
Cons
- Only supports a limited number of graphs that you can add to your reports
- The free plan has a limit of two users
- Essential data management features like data backup and data screenshots are only available in the standard plan
Pricing
Zoho Analytics has four pricing plans. Paid plans start at $24/month.
Microsoft Power BI: Best For Pricing
It’s safe to say that most business users are familiar with Microsoft Power BI. As the leading data visualization and business intelligence solution by market share, Power BI has a massive footprint across myriad industries and organization types, from SMBs and enterprises in the private sector to government and educational institutions.
As a data analytics platform, the solution offers a wealth of easy-to-use features for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data.
Features
- Customizable dashboards and tiles
- “Ask a Question” natural language search
- Azure ML-powered features and integration
- Microsoft Data Analysis Expression (DAX) Library—more than 200 functions in the Power BI function library
Pros
- Seamless integration with the Microsoft Ecosystem (e.g., Excel, PowerApps, and SharePoint)
- Easy to create highly interactive and engaging reports, dashboards, or graphics from Excel files, SQL databases, BI warehouses, Cloud data, APIs, web pages
- Cost-effective option for individual and professional users
Cons
- Limited data-sharing capabilities
- Some performance issues with handling large data sources
- May not be suitable for large/complicated data sets or real-time analytics
Pricing
- $10 per user for Power BI Pro
- $20 per user for Power BI Premium
- $20 per user or $4,995 per month per Power BI enterprise
Databox
Databox is a dashboard softwaree known for its powerful features for tracking and creating dashboards against high-level metrics. This allows for the contextualization of multiple data sources into a unified context.
Databox offers a wide range of pricing options, including a free, non-expiring tier for rudimentary use cases.
Databox also offers unlimited dashboards and reports, unlike a few competing solutions that charge for additional dashboards or visualizations.
Features
- Reports interface is intuitive and easy-to-use for both self-service and standard reports
- Wide range of built-in chart and graph formats
- Score cards let you visually track key performance indicators (KPIs)
Pros
- Unlimited (free forever) version available
- Controls are customizable
- Excellent mobile app
Cons
- Setup is involved and can take time
- Historical data limitations
Pricing
Offers four pricing tiers ($47-700 per month), with free option.
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