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BI Tools

Last updatedUpdated: by Simon Späti · CreatedCreated: · 3 min read · growing Note status Growing. Worked on quite a bit, still rough. Expect bullets, gaps and views that update. Set by author · How my notes grow Recent changes 3 days ago +49 / −0 words 3 weeks ago +63 / −45 words 4 months ago +32 / −0 words 5 months ago +6 / −0 words 6 months ago +500 / −31 words 8 months ago +0 / −3 words 2 years ago +2 / −0 words 2 years ago +3 / −0 words 2 years ago +5 / −0 words 2 years ago +2 / −0 words 2 years ago +9 / −1 words 3 years ago +1 / −1 words 3 years ago published · 51 words

Tools of Business Intelligence, there are many.

# Tools

Here a none complete list divided in different categories.

# BI-as-Code

  • Rill Developer: Fast, BI-as-code dashboards defined in YAML + SQL with an embedded DuckDB/ClickHouse OLAP engine for sub-second queries.
  • Evidence: BI as Code with a Markdown notebook style, rendering SQL-backed, NYT-style data reports as a static site from plain Markdown files.
  • Lightdash: Open-source BI that lives directly on top of your dbt project, turning dbt YAML models and metrics into a self-serve analytics layer.
  • Observable Framework: Open-source static-site generator for data apps, using polyglot data loaders (any language) to precompute snapshots for instant-loading dashboards.
  • Shaper: Visualize and share your data. All in SQL. Powered by DuckDB.

# Early Open-Source SQL-First Dashboarding

  • Apache Superset: Open-source data exploration platform born at Airbnb, connects to any SQL speaking engine with 40+ visualization types and petabyte-scale query capabilities.
  • Metabase: The “5-minute setup” open-source BI beloved by startups, pairing a no-code question builder with a SQL editor and friendly UX.
  • Redash (dashboarding on top of Delta Lake): Lightweight open-source SQL-first tool — a browser-based query editor over 35+ data sources that turns queries into shareable charts and dashboards.

# Enterprise Self-Service Platforms

  • Power BI: Microsoft’s BI platform with deepest Excel/Office 365 integration, DAX formula language, and Copilot AI baked into the broader Microsoft Fabric stack.
  • Tableau: The visual analytics pioneer built on patented VizQL technology that turns drag-and-drop actions into database queries, now part of Salesforce.
  • Qlik: Known for its patented Associative Engine that in-memory-indexes all relationships so users can freely explore in any direction — including “unrelated” data.
  • TARGIT: Danish BI suite (Decision Suite) focused on industry-specific, out-of-the-box analytics for verticals like automotive dealerships, heavy equipment, and airports.

# Semantic-Layer-First

  • Looker: Google Cloud’s enterprise BI where LookML defines a governed, code-based semantic layer that’s now exposed to Tableau, Power BI, and AI agents.
  • Holistics: Analytics-as-code BI with its own AMQL semantic language, Git version control, and canvas-style narrative dashboards — a modern Looker alternative.
  • AtScale: Universal semantic layer that speaks SQL, MDX, and DAX natively, bringing OLAP-cube-style modeling (à la SSAS) to cloud warehouses without moving data.
  • Steep: Stockholm-based metrics-first BI where everything starts from a centrally defined metric catalog, built natively on the semantic layer (dbt Cloud, Cube).
  • Omni: Founded by ex-Looker folks, combines a governed semantic layer with spreadsheet-like and SQL workflows so analysts and business users share one tool.

# Analyst & Spreadsheet Workspaces

  • Sigma (BI): Warehouse-native BI with a familiar spreadsheet UI over Snowflake/BigQuery/Databricks, plus Input Tables that let users write back to the warehouse.
  • Mode: Collaborative analyst-first platform combining SQL, Python, and R notebooks with reports, now part of ThoughtSpot.
  • Count: A collaborative business intelligence (BI) platform built around an digital canvas like Miro.

# Embedded Analytics & Data Storytelling

  • whaly: French self-service BI platform positioned as a cheaper Looker alternative, focused on embedding analytics into CRMs, Slack, and field-sales apps.
  • Toucan Toco: French “data storytelling” platform that prioritizes narrative-driven, mobile-first dashboards for non-technical business audiences.

# Observability & Search Analytics

  • Kibana: Visualization front-end for Elasticsearch, purpose-built for log, metric, and trace analytics inside the ELK stack rather than traditional BI.

# Agent-Native BI

# Visualization Frameworks and Libraries

# Overview


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