Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services vs XLCubed comparison

Microsoft and Fluence Technologies are both solutions in the Reporting category. Microsoft is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.6, while Fluence Technologies is ranked #32. Microsoft holds a 3.4% mindshare in RT, compared to Fluence Technologies’s 0.4% mindshare. Additionally, 85% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 50% of Fluence Technologies users who would recommend it.

Microsoft SQL Server Report...

Read 21 Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services reviews

2,580 Views
732 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

XLCubed

Read 2 XLCubed reviews

171 Views
15 Comparison Views

50% willing to recommend

Microsoft SQL Server Report...

XLCubed

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

XLCubed and Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services compete in the business intelligence and reporting category. XLCubed has an edge in pricing and support, while Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services offers more extensive features, commanding a robust position in data analysis and integration.

Features: XLCubed features an interactive Excel-based interface, seamless data connectivity, and agile reporting solutions. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services provides advanced data visualization, wide integration capabilities, and automated report generation. XLCubed suits Excel-savvy environments whereas Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is preferred for its comprehensive solution features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: XLCubed offers easy deployment with minimal technical barriers, supported by personalized customer service. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services requires deeper technical knowledge but provides thorough documentation and extensive support.

Pricing and ROI: XLCubed comes with a competitive price and quick ROI due to low-cost setup and efficient deployment. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services may have higher initial costs but delivers value through its scalability and rich features, promising long-term ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services vs. XLCubed Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft SQL Servering Services vs. XLCubed

June 2025

Download the complete report

Helped 859,545 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft SQL Server Report...

Ranking in Reporting

5th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

XLCubed

Ranking in Reporting

32nd

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Reporting category, the mindshare of Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is 3.4%, down from 4.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of XLCubed is 0.4%, up from 0.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Reporting

Featured Reviews

MartinSimons

Senior Consultant at X1F

Ensures database access and monitoring have been manageable, but batch load analysis needs better support

There are occasions during maintenance runs when the Check Point monitoring system reports a lot of blocked sessions. This is typically due to system processes or maintenance processes that temporarily block themselves. Additionally, a tool within the studio for performing SQL analysis does not provide useful information for batch load processes, often advising not to use an index, which is expected with batch loads.

Read full review

it_user1391316

Head of Finance Systems at NHS

Cost effective with great capability, performance, flexibility and visuals

In general, we're happy with the solution but we're always looking to see what else is out there. The thing we've struggled with is our partnership with Tagetik UK, the consultants, and the issue we had gaining access to consultants to develop the solution on our behalf. Thankfully we connected directly with XLCubed and now have a pretty close and good relationship with them so the earlier problem we had of actually getting resources to help us develop has now been solved. One of the things that we've been asking for and would like as an additional feature is a sort of benchmarking functionality. The ability to be able to benchmark, directly against the company digital corporate numbers. That said, there seems to be improved functionality within the latest release that could help us develop that further.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"It is a stable solution."

"I am impressed with the product's seamless integration. It can work with different databases like Oracle."

"Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is reliable for management dashboard and reporting purposes. It is helpful for user reporting and administrative tasks, such as monitoring progress. It is easy to use since it is lightweight and integrates well with the SQL Server database, making reporting straightforward. The visualization capabilities enhance our reporting needs with good pagination and KPI features. It integrates well with data servers and workbooks, allowing us to publish reports on mobile applications and tablets easily. Integrating other tools and platforms in our tech ecosystem is generally straightforward. However, if we need to perform something very specialized, we might have to use third-party tools rather than inbuilt options."

"We can create quality reports in real time."

"I'm very satisfied with the customer service. And usually, whenever we have any issue or details, we get to the person for the support. I'm really satisfied with the service. Within a few minutes or within a few hours, the support person will be available."

"The SQL Server Reporting Services makes it very easy to get the data whenever we need it."

"I like Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services' automated reporting feature."

"The tool's valuable features are its drill-down feature, graphs, and charts."

More Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services pros

"I am looking forward to testing their full graphics that are available, as they looked very interesting in the demo."

"Great capability, performance, flexibility, visuals, and the solution is also very cost effective."

Cons

"There are occasions during maintenance runs when the Check Point monitoring system reports a lot of blocked sessions."

"Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services needs to improve performance."

"In this solution, the cost should be reduced for the enterprise edition."

"It doesn't have quite the flexibility of a Tableau or something like that. Many users are more comfortable with Tableau and I'm not quite sure why that is right now, but it seems to be the case."

"The product should improve its performance."

"The solution's interface is old."

"Sometimes, we need to make sure that the configuration stays consistent across the reporting instances. They all connect to the same database. So, it shares that same backend, but the reporting services itself can also be configured. On the application level, for reporting level. And it is, based on my own experience, it is a manual effort to make sure that the reporting servers are configured the same across the environment."

"It is not easy to integrate the product with other tools in the market."

More Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services cons

"There should be a better or an easier way to establish that connection to external sources."

"Would like the ability to be able to benchmark."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing is high."

"The price is pretty good."

"The solution is free to use for developers."

"The tool's licensing costs are expensive."

"Value-wise, the solution's pricing is good for the price that we pay."

"The product pricing is reasonable in terms of suitable features for business."

"The solution is expensive."

"The solution is cheaper than its alternatives."

"14,000 Pounds per year for licensing."

"I am still using the two-week trial, but at first sight, the price is reasonable."

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Reporting solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

859,545 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

14%

Government

11%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services?

I mainly use the solution for the ease of reporting and for executive dashboards.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services?

I don't recall the current pricing as it changes frequently.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services?

They could improve the scalability and stability of SQL Server Reporting Services. I haven't used it recently, so I can't provide detailed suggestions on improvements.

See all answers

Ask a question

Earn 20 points

Comparisons

TIBCO Jaspersoft vs Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Compared 16% of the time

Tableau vs Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Compared 15% of the time

IBM Cognos vs Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Compared 13% of the time

Oracle OBIEE vs Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Compared 11% of the time

SAP Crystal Reports vs Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Compared 9% of the time

More Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Competitors

Microsoft Power BI vs XLCubed

Compared 100% of the time

More XLCubed Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft SQL Servering Services

June 2025

Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services report

Download Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services product report

Buyer's Guide

Reporting

June 2025

Download XLCubed product report

Also Known As

SQL Server Reporting Services, Microsoft SSRS, SSRS, MS SQL Server Reporting Services

No data available

Overview

At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our mission is grounded in both the world in which we live and the future we strive to create. Today, we live in a mobile-first, cloud-first world, and the transformation we are driving across our businesses is designed to enable Microsoft and our customers to thrive in this world.

We do business in 170 countries and are made up of 114,000 passionate employees dedicated to fulfilling our mission of helping you and your organization achieve more.

Microsoft

Produce insightful, interactive reports on, company-wide metrics for any business audience. Now all in Excel.
Pixel-perfect financial reporting with the skill sets you already have. No IT required.
Meet XLCubed: The data-connected Excel add-in for all your reporting needs.

Fluence Technologies

Sample Customers

CMS Wire, The New York Times

Marshalls Ltd, BP Exploration and Production, Thorntons, Ted Baker, Bristol-Myers, Rank Group, ING Bank Genve, Cargill Value Investment, Chloride Power, Auchan, Erste, UEFA, Novartis, Porsche Informatik, Raiffeisen Bank International

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft SQL Servering Services vs. XLCubed

June 2025

Free Report: Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services vs. XLCubed

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services vs. XLCubed and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.

DOWNLOAD NOW

859,545 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services vs. XLCubed report.

See our list of best Reporting vendors.

We monitor all Reporting 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.