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SAP Crystal Reports Reviews

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

SAP Crystal Reports provides flexible report generation with strong data connectivity, dynamic parameters, and customizable design features, facilitating interactive, insightful reporting. Users benefit from its comprehensive formula capabilities and seamless integration to create detailed reports.

Get the SAP Crystal Reports Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about SAP Crystal Reports, Microsoft Power BI, Tableau Enterprise and more!
SAP Crystal Reports is the #13 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 small business segment, accounting for 44% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 15% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
SAP Crystals
April 2026
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SAP Crystal Reports mindshare

As of May 2026, the mindshare of SAP Crystal Reports in the Reporting category stands at 2.4%, down from 2.8% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Reporting Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
SAP Crystal Reports2.4%
Tableau Enterprise14.5%
Microsoft Power BI14.1%
Other69.0%
Reporting

PeerResearch reports based on SAP Crystal Reports reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryReportingMay 4, 2026Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersMay 4, 2026Download
ComparisonSAP Crystal Reports vs Microsoft Power BIMay 4, 2026Download
ComparisonSAP Crystal Reports vs Tableau EnterpriseMay 4, 2026Download
ComparisonSAP Crystal Reports vs DomoMay 4, 2026Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Microsoft Power BI4.014.1%93%331 interviewsAdd to research
Tableau Enterprise4.214.5%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.
  • "It has been around long enough that any challenges you encounter can easily be found with a Google search."
  • "The most valuable feature is that from a user's point of view, it is easy to use and requires just a simple click to generate a report."
  • "I find Crystal Reports very easy to use, even for a non-technical person."

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.
  • "Long, complex, crosstab reports are nearly impossible, and with Crystal it is nearly impossible to work with the raw, row-by-row data."
  • "This was a good platform when it first came out but right now, it has become a complicated behemoth."
  • "There could be improvements made to the analytics capabilities."

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 Business113
Midsize Enterprise43
Large Enterprise100
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
15%
Government
8%
Outsourcing Company
8%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Construction Company
7%
Computer Software Company
6%
Healthcare Company
5%
University
5%
Marketing Services Firm
5%
Insurance Company
3%
Comms Service Provider
3%
Transportation Company
3%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
3%
Performing Arts
3%
Non Tech Company
2%
Media Company
2%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Hospitality Company
2%
Educational Organization
2%
Renewables & Environment Company
2%
Retailer
2%
Legal Firm
1%
Non Profit
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Religious Institution
1%
Computer Retailer
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%

Compare SAP Crystal Reports with alternative products

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Learn more about SAP Crystal Reports

SAP Crystal Reports stands out for its robust functionalities, including dynamic parameters and extensive formula capabilities, which offer flexibility in report customization. It connects efficiently to SQL, Excel, XML, and other formats, ensuring ease of data interaction. The tool's ability to handle sub-reports and customizable design options enhance its usability for diverse reporting needs. Clients appreciate the option to export in multiple formats and its seamless integration with business software. However, improvements in analytics, memory usage, finance features, and visualization are needed. There is a demand for advanced graphical options and a desktop version for editing references, better integration with Hadoop, and improved formula debugging. Enhancements in chart capabilities, report consistency across upgrades, and cross-tab interfaces are also anticipated. Efforts to support modern file formats, cloud platform integration, and a more intuitive interface akin to modern BI tools would be beneficial.

What are the key features of SAP Crystal Reports?
  • Dynamic Parameters: Offers flexibility in report customization:
  • Robust Data Connectivity: Connects to SQL, Excel, XML, and more:
  • Sub-report Handling: Facilitates complex, detailed reports:
  • Customizable Design Features: Enhances report personalization:
  • Extensive Formula Capabilities: Allows complex calculations and formatting:
What benefits should users look for in reviews?
  • Ease of Report Creation: Streamlines the reporting process:
  • Precise Formatting: Ensures detailed, accurate presentation:
  • Seamless Business Integration: Integrates smoothly with existing systems:
  • Multiple Export Formats: Enhances flexibility for sharing and analyzing:

Industries utilize SAP Crystal Reports for designing layouts, templates, dashboards, and fixed reports. It is employed for financial and management reporting, including profit and loss and administrative purposes. Businesses opt for SAP Crystal Reports to integrate with other SAP applications, generating customer invoices, conducting business analysis, and facilitating data interaction and backend reporting through multiple report merging and customized dashboards.

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.
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.
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.
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.