Zoho Analytics is a popular cloud-based business intelligence (BI) platform that enables users to build dashboards, reports, and visualizations from cloud and on-prem data sources. It’s part of the broader Zoho ecosystem and is known for its ease of use, integration with Zoho CRM, and affordability for small to mid-sized teams.
However, in 2025, many teams are seeking alternatives to Zoho Analytics due to limitations in customization, data modeling, scalability, and third-party ecosystem integration. Whether you’re building dashboards for internal use, embedded analytics for clients, or advanced governance with version control — there are many BI tools better suited for these workflows.
This article highlights the best Zoho Analytics alternatives for reporting, dashboards, cloud-native analytics, and embedded BI in 2025.
What is Zoho Analytics?
Zoho Analytics is a self-service BI and data analytics tool designed for visual reporting, dashboard creation, and collaboration. It includes drag-and-drop report builders, AI-assisted insights, and integration with Zoho apps, databases, and file storage systems. While affordable and easy to use, it lacks some advanced modeling features, dev-first integrations, and scalability needed by growing or engineering-focused organizations.
Why Look for Zoho Analytics Alternatives?
1. Limited Customization: Zoho Analytics has a simple UI but lacks flexible dashboard components, charting libraries, or deep theming options.
2. Not Developer-Friendly: There’s limited support for SQL-based modeling, version control, or embedded workflows preferred by data engineers and SaaS teams.
3. Scaling Limits: Zoho is ideal for small-to-medium BI but struggles with high concurrency, large data volumes, or multi-tenant environments.
4. Closed Ecosystem: Zoho integrates well with its own suite, but poorly with modern lakehouses, dbt, or GitOps-style workflows.
5. Limited Real-Time + API Capabilities: Zoho lacks robust API-driven dashboards, streaming data support, or granular data refresh controls needed in more advanced deployments.
Top Zoho Analytics Alternatives (Comparison Table)
# | Tool | Open Source | Best For | Deployment |
---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Metabase | Yes | Open-source dashboards | Cloud / Self-hosted |
#2 | Tableau | No | Advanced visuals and design | Cloud / Desktop / Server |
#3 | Power BI | No | Microsoft-based analytics | Desktop / Cloud |
#4 | Looker Studio | No | Free cloud reporting (GCP) | Cloud |
#5 | Mode | No | SQL + Python notebooks | Cloud |
#6 | Apache Superset | Yes | SQL-native, dev-focused dashboards | Self-hosted |
#7 | GoodData | No | Embedded + API-first BI | Cloud / Hybrid |
#8 | Holistics | No | SQL modeling + dashboarding | Cloud |
#9 | ThoughtSpot | No | Search-based + AI BI | Cloud |
#10 | Sigma Computing | No | Spreadsheet-style live BI | Cloud |
Top 10 Alternatives to Zoho Analytics
#1. Metabase
Metabase is an open-source BI tool built for self-service dashboards and reporting. It supports visual queries, SQL editing, and embedded analytics — making it ideal for startups or SMBs replacing Zoho Analytics with more flexibility and no vendor lock-in.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop query builder
- SQL editor and report filters
- Email/Slack report delivery
- Embedding dashboards into apps
- Open-source + cloud-hosted options
#2. Tableau
Tableau offers industry-leading visualization with powerful drilldowns, filtering, and dashboard design. It’s ideal for teams outgrowing Zoho and needing pixel-perfect control over layouts and embedded use cases.
Features:
- Desktop, server, and online deployment
- Live or extract data connections
- Storytelling and interactive charts
- Embed via JS API
- Works with cloud and on-prem data
#3. Power BI
Power BI is a budget-friendly BI solution with strong Excel and SQL Server integration. It replaces Zoho for teams using Microsoft products and needing better governance, automation, and distribution control.
Features:
- Power Query and DAX modeling
- Data refresh + row-level security
- Embed dashboards and schedule delivery
- Microsoft 365 + Azure integration
- Desktop, web, and mobile access
#4. Google Looker Studio
Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio) is a free, lightweight BI tool for Google Cloud users. It’s ideal for marketing and analytics teams needing quick dashboards from GSheets, BigQuery, or GA4.
Features:
- Free with Google account
- Connects to GCP + 3rd party sources
- Custom filters and reports
- Shareable and embeddable
- No-code report creation
#5. Mode
Mode is a modern BI platform combining SQL, Python, and dashboards. It replaces Zoho for data teams who want notebook-style analytics, powerful report scheduling, and fast iteration cycles.
Features:
- SQL editor + Python notebook output
- Report versioning + alerts
- Self-service dashboarding
- Embed reports or export CSVs
- Used by fast-growing data teams
#6. Apache Superset
Superset is a SQL-native, open-source BI platform with strong filtering, role-based access, and custom dashboards. Ideal for engineers who want control and transparency beyond what Zoho offers.
Features:
- Self-hosted, customizable dashboards
- Chart builder and SQL Lab
- OAuth and RBAC support
- Embed-ready reports
- Connects to any SQL-compatible DB
#7. GoodData
GoodData is a cloud-native analytics engine for embedded and multi-tenant BI. It replaces Zoho in SaaS or white-label use cases that need an API-first approach with governed metrics.
Features:
- REST APIs and React SDKs
- Semantic metrics layer
- Multi-tenant RBAC support
- Embed dashboards in web apps
- Data modeling + governance
#8. Holistics
Holistics is a modern BI tool built around reusable SQL models, Git-based versioning, and semantic metrics. It’s a smart upgrade for data teams outgrowing Zoho’s limited modeling flexibility.
Features:
- SQL-first report builder
- Reusable logic and data lineage
- Data alerts + delivery automation
- Role-based dashboards
- Git integration + dbt-compatible
#9. ThoughtSpot
ThoughtSpot offers AI-driven search and natural language analytics. It replaces Zoho for business users who want to explore data conversationally, without learning filters or dashboards.
Features:
- Search + AI recommendations
- Embedded SpotIQ reports
- Live querying of cloud warehouses
- Multi-user permission control
- Self-service analytics at scale
#10. Sigma Computing
Sigma delivers spreadsheet-style BI directly on data warehouses. It gives Zoho users a more powerful way to explore live data with familiar formulas and no code.
Features:
- Live warehouse querying
- Spreadsheet UI + Excel-style formulas
- Team collaboration + version history
- Row-level permissions + embed
- Cloud-first architecture
Conclusion
Zoho Analytics is excellent for teams just starting their BI journey — but it quickly becomes limiting as data grows and requirements become more complex. In 2025, tools like Metabase and Superset offer transparency and control. Platforms like Mode, Holistics, and GoodData serve teams needing SQL power, modeling governance, or embedded analytics at scale.
Choose your Zoho alternative based on team size, technical skills, and long-term BI needs. Whether it’s open-source, code-first, or embedded BI — there’s a better-fit platform ready to take your dashboards and reports further.
FAQs
What are the best Zoho Analytics alternatives?
The best Zoho Analytics alternatives in 2025 are:
- Metabase
- Tableau
- Power BI
- Google Looker Studio
- Mode
- Apache Superset
- GoodData
- Holistics
- ThoughtSpot
- Sigma Computing
Is Zoho Analytics open-source?
No. Zoho Analytics is proprietary. If you want open-source alternatives, try Metabase or Apache Superset.
Which Zoho Analytics alternative is best for SQL modeling?
Holistics, Mode, and Superset all support SQL-first workflows with modeling, version control, and team governance.
What’s the best free alternative to Zoho Analytics?
Google Looker Studio (free for all), Metabase (open-source), and Superset are top free alternatives.
Can I embed dashboards like in Zoho?
Yes — GoodData, Metabase, Tableau, Holistics, and ThoughtSpot all support embedded analytics for SaaS and internal portals.
Is Zoho Analytics good for large teams?
It’s better for small to mid-size businesses. For larger teams, Tableau, Holistics, or GoodData offer better governance and scalability.
Which Zoho competitor supports natural language queries?
ThoughtSpot is the best tool for search-based or natural language analytics in 2025.