

Birst and Looker compete in the analytics platform category. Looker appears to have the upper hand with its superior feature set, especially in data visualization and real-time analytics.
Features: Birst offers end-to-end capabilities, including data preparation and governance. It supports data virtualization in the cloud and provides an auto ETL feature for easy data management. The platform allows rapid deployment of DWHs. Looker provides real-time analytics and interactive dashboards. Its LookML language enables advanced data modeling, while its APIs support extensive customization in reports and dashboards. It excels in offering semantic data layers and centralized data models.
Room for Improvement: Birst could improve its advanced data visualization capabilities, as it lags behind competitors like Looker. Enhancements in integration with external systems would also be beneficial. Deployment in hybrid environments might be another area for Birst to develop. Looker can refine its customer onboarding to simplify the initial setup process. Additional user training resources would be helpful for non-technical users. The platform might also enhance its real-time data processing capabilities.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Birst provides a straightforward deployment process with strong customer support, which is beneficial for businesses with limited IT resources. Looker, however, offers more flexible deployment options, extensive documentation, and community support, making it ideal for tech-savvy companies managing complex infrastructures.
Pricing and ROI: Birst is attractive to small- and mid-sized enterprises due to its lower initial setup costs and quicker ROI. Its affordability makes it easier for smaller companies to adopt. On the other hand, Looker requires a higher initial investment but offers extensive capabilities that can lead to higher long-term value. This makes Looker suitable for larger organizations seeking comprehensive analytical power.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Looker | 6.4% |
| Birst | 1.2% |
| Other | 92.4% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 3 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 7 |
| Large Enterprise | 12 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 5 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 8 |
| Large Enterprise | 6 |
Birst Networked BI and Analytics eliminates information silos. Decentralized users can augment the enterprise data model virtually, as opposed to physically, without compromising data governance.
A unified semantic layer maintains common definitions and key metrics.
Birst’s two-tier architecture aligns back-end sources with line-of-business or local data. Birst’s Automated Data Refinement extracts data from any source into a unified semantic layer. Users are enabled with self-service analytics through executive dashboards, reporting, visual discovery, mobile tools, and predictive analytics. Birst Open Client Interface also offers integration with Tableau, Excel and R.
Birst goes to market in two primary ways: as a direct sale, for enterprises using Birst on internal data to manage their business; and embedded, for companies who offer analytic products, by embedding and white-labeling Birst capabilities into their products.
Birst’s is packaged in 3 available formats: Platform and per-user fee; by Department or Business Unit; by end-customer (for embedded scenarios).
Looker is a powerful data analytics platform that empowers businesses to explore and analyze their data in real time.
With its intuitive interface and robust features, Looker enables users to easily create and share interactive dashboards, reports, and visualizations.
The product's advanced data modeling capabilities and seamless integration with popular data sources make it a top choice for organizations looking to gain valuable insights from their data.
We monitor all Embedded BI reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.