Best Qlik Sense Alternatives and Competitors in 2025

Qlik Sense has earned its place as a leading business intelligence (BI) and data visualization platform. It’s known for its associative data engine, interactive dashboards, and AI-assisted data exploration — allowing users to uncover hidden insights without predefined drill paths. Qlik supports both self-service BI and enterprise-scale embedded analytics with powerful mobile support and augmented intelligence features.

However, in 2025, many data teams are considering Qlik Sense alternatives that offer more flexible pricing, open-source options, or better integration with modern data stacks. Some prefer SQL-native tools, while others want more powerful modeling layers, better UI customization, or developer-centric workflows. Whether you’re a fast-growing startup or a large enterprise, there are great alternatives to Qlik Sense available today.

This article highlights the top Qlik Sense competitors — from open-source BI to advanced cloud-native platforms — helping you find the right solution for your analytics needs.

What is Qlik Sense?

Qlik Sense is a modern BI platform offering self-service dashboards, data modeling, and AI-powered analytics. It’s built on Qlik’s associative engine, which enables flexible exploration without the limitations of SQL joins. Qlik Sense supports embedded dashboards, governed data access, and a hybrid cloud architecture. While powerful, it is proprietary and can be expensive at scale. Some users also report limitations in customization, version control, and developer extensibility compared to newer BI platforms.

Why Look for Qlik Sense Alternatives?

1. High Cost: Qlik Sense licenses can be expensive for growing teams, especially when scaling dashboards across business units or embedded use cases.

2. Closed Platform: Qlik is a proprietary tool with no open-source version. Extending or customizing it requires vendor tools and support.

3. Learning Curve: While powerful, Qlik’s scripting language and associative model require training, which adds time and complexity for new users.

4. Limited Git/DevOps Workflow: Qlik lacks native Git integration or CI/CD support, which is increasingly expected by modern data engineering teams.

5. Better SQL & Cloud Support Elsewhere: Newer tools offer stronger SQL support, dbt integration, and cloud-native performance that many teams now prioritize.

Top Qlik Sense Alternatives (Comparison Table)

#	Tool	Open Source	Best For	Deployment
#1	Power BI	No	MS integration and Excel-first teams	Desktop / Cloud
#2	Tableau	No	Visual storytelling and dashboarding	Desktop / Cloud / Server
#3	Metabase	Yes	Open-source self-service BI	Cloud / Self-hosted
#4	Apache Superset	Yes	SQL-native, dev-friendly dashboards	Self-hosted
#5	Looker	No	Semantic model-based governance	Cloud (GCP)
#6	Mode	No	SQL + notebooks + collaboration	Cloud
#7	GoodData	No	Embedded + API-first BI	Cloud / Hybrid
#8	ThoughtSpot	No	AI-driven search-based analytics	Cloud
#9	Holistics	No	SQL modeling + self-service BI	Cloud
#10	Sigma Computing	No	Spreadsheet-style BI for cloud	Cloud

Top 10 Alternatives to Qlik Sense

#1. Power BI

Power BI is Microsoft’s BI solution that integrates tightly with Excel, Azure, and the Microsoft 365 suite. It offers drag-and-drop dashboarding, DAX modeling, and embedded analytics. A popular Qlik Sense alternative for MS-centric organizations.

Features:

• Power Query for transformations
• DAX for advanced modeling
• Azure ML and Dataverse integration
• Scheduled refresh + role-based access
• Affordable licensing tiers

#2. Tableau

Tableau is a leader in data visualization and interactive dashboards. With rich visuals, storytelling tools, and strong community support, it’s a great Qlik replacement for visual analysts and BI teams needing pixel-perfect dashboarding.

Features:

• Drag-and-drop dashboard creation
• Deep filtering and drilldowns
• Embedding and mobile reports
• Works with Excel, databases, APIs
• Server, desktop, and cloud options

#3. Metabase

Metabase is a free, open-source BI tool designed for small to mid-sized teams who want self-service dashboards and visual queries. It’s lightweight, fast to deploy, and a top Qlik Sense alternative for open-source and budget-focused organizations.

Features:

• Visual query builder and SQL support
• Slack/email report delivery
• Embeddable charts and dashboards
• Audit logs and RBAC
• Hosted or self-managed versions

#4. Apache Superset

Superset is an open-source BI platform for SQL-savvy analysts and developers. It supports interactive dashboards, custom visualizations, and RBAC — perfect for replacing Qlik in dev-first organizations.

Features:

• Extensible, self-hosted analytics tool
• Rich set of visualizations
• SQL Lab + chart builder
• Authentication and role-based security
• Connects to all major databases

#5. Looker

Looker uses LookML for semantic modeling, allowing centralized metric definitions across reports. It’s built for governance, consistency, and scalable embedded dashboards — ideal for teams replacing Qlik with model-first cloud-native BI.

Features:

• Metric layer with reusable logic
• Explore + dashboard interfaces
• Embed via SDK + API
• Integration with GCP + BigQuery
• Row-level security and auditability

#6. Mode

Mode is a modern BI tool for SQL-first analysts. It combines queries, notebooks, and data storytelling in one interface. Perfect for Qlik users migrating to a more flexible, developer-friendly analytics experience.

Features:

• SQL + Python/R notebooks
• Dynamic filters and drilldowns
• Shareable reports and alerts
• Versioned report building
• Integrated Git and Slack support

#7. GoodData

GoodData is a headless, API-first BI platform with support for embedded dashboards, semantic layers, and governed metrics. It’s great for SaaS teams replacing Qlik in embedded or multi-tenant reporting workflows.

Features:

• REST API + SDKs for embed
• Multi-tenant analytics engine
• Semantic modeling with version control
• Metrics layer and RBAC
• Scalable cloud-native design

#8. ThoughtSpot

ThoughtSpot delivers AI-powered search analytics and natural language queries. It’s designed for self-service users and offers real-time insights through search and embedded dashboards — making it a strong alternative to Qlik for business-first teams.

Features:

• Search-driven dashboards
• Embedded analytics with SpotIQ
• Live queries on cloud data
• AI suggestions and anomaly detection
• Row-level access + alerting

#9. Holistics

Holistics is a BI platform focused on reusable SQL models, versioned reports, and semantic metrics layers. It’s built for engineers and analysts who want more control and transparency than Qlik’s closed stack.

Features:

• SQL modeling and Git integration
• Metrics-as-code architecture
• Scheduled reporting and embeds
• Self-service dashboards
• Works with dbt, Redshift, Snowflake

#10. Sigma Computing

Sigma is a cloud-native BI tool that looks like a spreadsheet but works directly on live data warehouses. It’s a strong alternative for business users leaving Qlik but wanting real-time exploration with no code required.

Features:

• Spreadsheet-style UI with formulas
• Live query over Snowflake/BigQuery
• Row-level security and team access
• Embedded analytics and shareable links
• Data modeling layer for analysts

Conclusion

Qlik Sense offers powerful visualizations and associative data exploration — but in 2025, it may not be the most flexible or cost-effective BI solution. If you’re seeking better integration with modern data stacks, open-source freedom, or more developer-friendly workflows, there are strong alternatives ready to replace Qlik in your toolchain.

Metabase and Superset are great open-source options. Mode, Holistics, and Looker offer SQL-native development. Power BI and Tableau bring enterprise support. And tools like GoodData and ThoughtSpot are redefining embedded and AI-powered analytics. Choose the alternative that aligns with your BI philosophy, technical stack, and long-term growth plans.

Qlik Sense alternatives FAQs