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SAP Crystal Reports Reviews

Vendor: SAP
4.1 out of 5
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What is SAP Crystal Reports?

Turn information from almost any data source into a sophisticated, interactive report with SAP Crystal Reports. This powerful, user-friendly application for small businesses and departments can help you deliver key insights to the right decision maker, at the right time, in the right format. 

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SAP Crystal Reports is the #9 ranked solution in top Reporting Tools. PeerSpot users give SAP Crystal Reports an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. SAP Crystal Reports is most commonly compared to Microsoft Power BI: SAP Crystal Reports vs Microsoft Power BI. SAP Crystal Reports is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 48% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a manufacturing company, accounting for 11% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
SAP Crystals
December 2025
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SAP Crystal Reports mindshare

As of December 2025, the mindshare of SAP Crystal Reports in the Reporting category stands at 2.6%, down from 2.8% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Reporting Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
SAP Crystal Reports2.6%
Microsoft Power BI20.7%
Tableau Enterprise18.0%
Other58.7%
Reporting

PeerResearch reports based on SAP Crystal Reports reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryReportingDec 29, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonSAP Crystal Reports vs Microsoft Power BIDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonSAP Crystal Reports vs Tableau EnterpriseDec 29, 2025Download
ComparisonSAP Crystal Reports vs DomoDec 29, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Microsoft Power BI4.020.7%93%327 interviewsAdd to research
Tableau Enterprise4.218.0%90%309 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

SAP Crystal Reports features remarkable flexibility, allowing detailed customization using formulas and diverse data source connections. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface for creating sophisticated reports without extensive coding. The integration with various data types, SQL compatibility, sub-reports, and formatting options enhances data visualization and presentation. It supports automated tasks and multiple export formats. Dynamic parameters and powerful data connectivity enable comprehensive business insights and efficient client communication.
  • "Over the years, SAP Crystal Reports has had a very positive impact and benefits; it's a powerful tool to design any kind of report if you have knowledge of the database, and it can attach to both HANA and SQL databases."
  • "Using SAP Crystal Reports had a strong impact on our organization; it saves significant time by automating routine reporting tasks and reduced manual effort in preparing customer letters and reports."
  • "The impact of SAP Crystal Reports' dynamic parameters significantly affects the customization and flexibility of reports, allowing adjustments to parameters based on client needs, such as date, users, and ledger views, ensuring data is correctly collected and formatted according to the client's requirements."

Room for Improvement

SAP Crystal Reports needs better graphics, integration, and support for beginners. Syntax constructs are complex and frustrating. Linking tables exhibit issues. Its security, export, and visualization capabilities are dated. Users desire seamless compatibility with modern tools like Azure and Power Platform. Performance can lag behind competitors like Tableau. Users want enhanced interfaces and intuitive design. Improved debugging and metadata extraction would significantly enhance user experiences. Better handling of larger data sets and dynamic connectors also require attention.
  • "Customer support for SAP Crystal Reports is nonexistent."
  • "I rate SAP Crystal Reports a seven out of ten because while reports sometimes lack clarity due to varying data scenarios affecting comprehension, the backend learning experience with data is ongoing and highlights existing challenges."
  • "Maybe some Power BI-related features could be added, like dashboards or direct editing in reports."

ROI

Companies report highly positive financial outcomes with SAP Crystal Reports, experiencing increased sales and significant time savings. The tool is considered a vital investment because it offers comprehensive reporting that Excel cannot match. Some experience over 1000% returns, especially when offering related services. Although it requires a significant time investment for user training, the high value in ERP reporting and preventing delinquent loans is evident. Using the free version with Visual Studio enhances overall returns.

Pricing

Enterprise users find SAP Crystal Reports pricing complex, with a mix of affordable and high costs. Licensing starts at $500 per copy, but discounts are available for large-scale purchases, especially suitable for non-profits via TechSoup. Some save costs through free tools like SaberLogic Logicity for viewing reports. Training costs add up due to the necessary user skill set. Overall, organizations must carefully consider feature needs, ongoing maintenance fees, and licensing models.
  • "SAP Crystal Reports is a very expensive solution."
  • "The cost of licensing can be a significant factor to consider when upgrading or transitioning to a new version of SAP Crystal Reports. It's important to evaluate the benefits and features offered by the new version against the associated costs to ensure it aligns with your organization's needs and budget."
  • "We pay fifteen hundred dollars as licensing fee."

Popular Use Cases

Companies primarily use SAP Crystal Reports for designing and running tabular reports and dashboards focused on data visualization. They utilize it for creating and managing financial, administrative, and management reports, including profit and loss statements, trial balances, and customer invoices. The tool facilitates integration with other SAP applications, allowing efficient data interactions. It's popular among organizations for its ability to handle fixed and interactive reports, layouts, and templates tailored to client requirements.

Service and Support

SAP Crystal Reports customer service varies, with some finding it good and others rarely needing it due to extensive online resources. Technical support quality depends on the personnel, with some very knowledgeable and others less so. Communication and scheduling with overseas support can be challenging. Many rely on online communities like ITCentralStation and SCN for help, finding peer support valuable, while some hire consultants due to dissatisfaction with direct support.

Deployment

Many users found SAP Crystal Reports initial setup to be straightforward, especially when installed on Windows. Some noted issues with non-Windows servers, requiring careful configuration. A few encountered licensing glitches and needed administrative credentials. Deleting previous versions was necessary to avoid conflicts. User experiences varied, with some finding the setup easy, while others faced complexity due to their expertise levels or specific requirements. Integrating with databases could be time-consuming for some organizations.

Scalability

SAP Crystal Reports is generally well-scaled for diverse organizational needs, handling extensive data and numerous users efficiently. Most users report no complications with scaling, although some mention limitations with the SDK and additional costs for advanced scaling options. It suits medium and large businesses more than smaller ones. Reviews indicate it integrates well with SAP HANA, offering balanced functionality. Users rate its scalability between moderate to high, highlighting its effective performance in various environments.

Stability

Many reported that early versions faced stability issues, including frequent crashes, especially with Unix and Tomcat servers or when using Windows with older versions. With upgrades to Crystal Reports 2013 and Enterprise versions, stability has improved significantly, and crashes have become rare. Multiple users reported stable performance, with no issues after adjustments. Occasional memory issues and unexpected shutdowns were mentioned, but generally, it is stable when used with appropriate infrastructure.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our SAP Crystal Reports Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business16
Midsize Enterprise14
Large Enterprise21
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business97
Midsize Enterprise42
Large Enterprise128
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
11%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Computer Software Company
10%
Government
9%
Healthcare Company
7%
Outsourcing Company
5%
University
4%
Insurance Company
4%
Media Company
3%
Construction Company
3%
Comms Service Provider
3%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
3%
Educational Organization
3%
Performing Arts
3%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Non Tech Company
2%
Transportation Company
2%
Retailer
2%
Consumer Goods Company
1%
Non Profit
1%
Marketing Services Firm
1%
Hospitality Company
1%
Renewables & Environment Company
1%
Legal Firm
1%
Computer Retailer
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Energy/Utilities Company
1%

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SAP Crystal Reports customers

City of Buenos Aires, ASR Group, Citrix, EarlySense, Usha International Limited, Automotive Resources International (ARI), LivePerson, Coelba (Grupo Neoenergia), RZD Russian Railways, National Basketball Association - NBA, TALLY WEiJL, El Machetazo, Young Heroes, Mozzart, Mitsui Knowledge Industry (MKI) , Surgutneftegas Open Joint Stock Company, The VELUX Group, AOK Bundesverband, AL-KO KOBER GROUP

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SAP Crystal Reports Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
SAP Technical Manager at VS Furniture Middle East5.0I've used SAP Crystal Reports for 14 years to design detailed, customizable reports. It's reliable, integrates well with SAP systems, and supports multiple formats, though occasional crashes and memory use could be improved for better user experience.
I'm at DTS Group3.5I’ve used SAP Crystal Reports for six months to generate customer invoices, finding its data connectivity and automation features valuable, though its UI and cloud integration could improve; overall, it enhances efficiency and decision-making.
Inhouse SAP Business One Sr. Consultant at a retailer with 501-1,000 employees3.5I’ve used SAP Crystal Reports for six years to streamline reporting across sales, finance, and production, benefiting from its flexibility and export formats, though challenges remain with clarity, integration, and adapting to diverse data scenarios.
Assistant General Manager at Soma Enterprise5.0I've used SAP Crystal Reports for over ten years at NJESM, leveraging its diverse features for report generation and security. Although I haven't fully explored the new version, I anticipate enhancements and additional features compared to previous iterations.
Head of IT Department at Indus Sugar Mills Limited4.0I use SAP Crystal Reports for generating various management and financial reports. Its customizable features and flexibility stand out, though I'd welcome enhancements like Power BI features and improvements in query language for building reports.
IT Project leader at a construction company with 10,001+ employees4.0We use SAP Crystal Reports for generating commercial documents and operational reports. While it effectively serves our reporting needs, improvements are needed in dynamic connectors, Excel exports, multi-source integration, and technical support to enhance its overall functionality.
MANAGER - IT SYSTEMS at Fabtech4.0In our company, we use SAP Crystal Reports for designing layouts and dashboards, and I find its database connectivity, JDBC connectivity, performance, and library of functions impressive. However, improving the analytical capabilities would enhance its overall utility.
Microsoft Dynamics GP Consultant at Deloitte4.5We use SAP Crystal Reports for running reports and customization. It efficiently pulls data from various tables and is user-friendly. However, improvements are needed for identifying which data resides in which table during database connections.