Top 7 Data Analytics Tools in 2025: Features, Benefits, and How to Choose the Right One
Jul 9, 2025
8 min read
Table Of Content
- Top Data Analytics Tools You Should Know
- How to Choose the Right Data Analytics Tool?
- Conclusion
*opendatascience.com
Top Data Analytics Tools You Should Know
Here are the top 7 tools popular for data analysis
1. Microsoft Power BI
Overview
Being one of the best data analytics tools, Power BI is the first choice for teams that are already using Microsoft tools. It’s popular among organizations when it comes to handling data quickly and making sense of it through visuals. It connects directly to Excel, SharePoint, SQL Server, and Azure. So there’s no need to jump between platforms. Instead of digging through endless spreadsheets, users can look at clean dashboards that update on their own. For many, it’s the easiest way to track business performance without spending hours on manual reports.
Features
- Works with Microsoft Tools: Plug in Excel files or pull from Azure or SharePoint without extra steps.
- Live Dashboards: Numbers update automatically, so reports always show the latest.
- Built-In AI Tools: It can point out strange trends or even help predict what’s coming.
- Plain-English Questions: Just type something like “sales by product this month” and get a chart.
- Mobile Friendly: Dashboards work on phones and can be placed inside other apps or websites.
Benefits
- Familiar Feel: If you’ve used Excel, you’ll pick it up fast.
- Pay-As-You-Grow: This tool is scalable enough. So, you need to pay based on your requirements.
- Easy to Share: It’s one of the leading business intelligence tools that allows the reports to be dropped into PowerPoint or shared with a quick link.
- Real-Time Alerts: It provides real-time insights when important data changes.
So, Power BI fits well for teams that want reliable data analytics software with analysis tools and visualization.
2. Tableau
Overview
Tableau is one of the best data analytics software and go-to tools when you want to turn messy data into neat visuals without touching code. It’s been around long enough that you’ll find examples, tutorials, and experts everywhere, yet it still feels easy to pick up. Teams in marketing, sales, and operations all use it—not just because it’s powerful, but because it helps them tell a story with numbers.
Features
- Multiple Data Connections: You can link to spreadsheets, SQL databases, or cloud stores like Snowflake and BigQuery. The setup usually just requires a few clicks, and you’re ready to start building.
- Drag-and-Drop Canvas: Simply pull your fields onto the workspace to make charts, maps, and tables. There is no need to fuss with SQL or special syntax—if you can point and click, you can visualize.
- Live vs. Extract Modes: Want always-fresh data? Keep it live. Need speed, especially offline? Extract a snapshot. Both options live under one roof.
- R/Python Hooks: If you ever crave deeper stats or machine learning, you simply hook into R or Python scripts right inside the same workbook.
- Embed Everywhere: Dashboards aren’t stuck in Tableau Server—they can live in your intranet pages, client portals, or phone apps with a tiny bit of code.
Benefits
- Power for Everyone: Seasoned analysts and folks who’ve never touched BI tools both get what they need. You don’t have to be a data whiz to build something that drives a decision.
- Fast Feedback Loops: Spin up a rough draft, grab feedback over coffee, and tighten it the same afternoon. It keeps projects moving without long handoffs.
- Looks Good Out of the Box: Even the simplest visuals feel polished enough to impress executives—drop them into PowerPoint, and you’re set.
- Scale as You Grow: It’s one of the best tools for big data analysis. You can start it on a single desktop license, then add users to the server or move to Tableau Cloud. You’re never forced into a “big” commitment too soon.
3. Google Looker Studio
Overview
Google Looker Studio (formerly “Looker”) is built around one big idea: define your metrics once, then use them everywhere without debating whose numbers are right. In 2025, that promise matters more than ever—teams hate chasing down the latest spreadsheet. With LookML under the hood, you get a single source of truth that your analysts, marketers, and executives can all trust.
Features
- Central LookML Models: Write your dimensions and measures in code just once, and voilà—it’s reused on every chart. No more “I updated my dashboard, but yours still shows the old formula.”
- Direct Cloud Queries: Tap into BigQuery, Redshift, Snowflake, or any major warehouse without moving data around. Reports update instantly when your data does.
- API & Embedding Toolkit: Beyond “look at this dashboard”, you can push reports into internal apps or external sites via JavaScript or REST. It feels like part of your software.
- Fine-Grained Security: Control who sees which rows—down to the user level—so sensitive info only lands in the right hands.
- Data-Driven Actions: Trigger emails, chat alerts, or downstream workflows when certain conditions are met. It closes the gap from insight to real work.
Benefits
- One Source of Truth: Everyone refers to the same definitions, so meetings spend time on decisions, not arguing numbers.
- Flexible Costs: You pay for queries you actually run—no flat license fees that haunt you in slow months.
- Developer-Centric: Teams with coding chops can automate reports, build custom visuals, or integrate with other systems seamlessly.
- Governed Freedom: Analysts roam freely inside those LookML guardrails, so innovation happens without chaos.
- All-in-One Tool: From executive snapshots to deep investigative reports, you don’t need separate platforms for different audiences.
4. Qlik Sense
Overview
Qlik Sense flips the script on traditional BI by letting you explore data associations in any direction instead of following a strict filter path. Its memory-based engine means you click on any data point and instantly see related insights without reloading or rerunning queries. It’s the kind of tool that makes you say, “Oh, I never thought of linking those two things.”
Features
- Associative Engine: Instead of stuck-in-a-grid filtering, you select a value and watch the rest of your data light up with relevant connections. It’s a discovery without dead ends.
- AI Suggestions: If you’re unsure what to look at next, Qlik’s built-in machine intelligence nudges you toward charts or fields that matter.
- Natural Language Interaction: Type something like “show sales by product category last quarter” and get back a chart—no need to learn a query language.
- Cloud and On-Prem Deployment: Deploy on AWS, Azure, GCP, or keep it on your own servers. You pick the infrastructure that makes sense, and Qlik adapts.
- Seamless Embedding: With a small snippet of code, you drop Qlik apps into your existing portals, intranets, or public websites. It feels native to your environment.
Benefits
- Serendipitous Discovery: By exploring data freely, you often uncover insights you never expected—great for competitive analysis or spotting emerging trends.
- Guided Journeys: AI-driven recommendations help novices and experts alike find the next “aha” moment without getting lost.
- Everyone’s Invited: The UI is intuitive enough for business users, while power users can build advanced scripts and extensions—no one is left out.
- Future-Proof Scaling: Whether you start small or roll it out enterprise-wide, Qlik Sense grows with your data volume and user base without a forklift upgrade.
5. SAS Visual Analytics
Overview
In sectors where precision and regulation go hand in hand—think healthcare or finance—SAS Visual Analytics is the go-to name. It’s not just another dashboard tool; it’s a full-spectrum analytical environment designed for complex data, secure reporting, and high-performance processing. Whether your team runs everything on-premises or uses cloud infrastructure, SAS fits right into the picture, adapting to your needs without fuss.
Features
- Advanced Statistical Capability: From basic analytics to full-on predictive modeling, SAS lets data professionals dig deep with tools built for serious statistical work.
- User-Friendly ML Tools: It supports machine learning, and you don’t even need to code. Visual modeling makes predictive analytics accessible to business users, too.
- Interactive ‘What-If’ Analysis: With just a few tweaks, you can test various business scenarios and immediately see how your outcomes shift.
- Flexible Deployment Options: You can run it in-house, on the cloud, or both. It’s built to scale and fit into whatever system you’re already using.
Benefits
- Great for Regulated Industries: If compliance is a daily concern, SAS includes audit trails and role-based access to keep everything in line.
- Performance You Can Rely On: It handles massive data loads quickly, making real-time insights a reality—not a waiting game.
- Streamlined Workflow: Everything from data prep to final visualization happens in one place, so there’s no need to manage multiple platforms.
- Training and Support: Even with a learning curve, SAS makes onboarding easier with lots of help resources and community support.
6. IBM Cognos Analytics
Overview
IBM Cognos Analytics brings artificial intelligence to the analytics game in a way that makes data approachable. It’s not just built for analysts—it’s meant for anyone who wants to ask thoughtful questions and get smarter answers. With a smooth interface and powerful behind-the-scenes logic, Cognos helps teams move from raw data to real decisions faster than ever.
Features
- AI-Driven Data Prep: It handles the boring stuff—cleansing, matching, and formatting—so you can focus on actual analysis instead of cleanup.
- Natural Language Querying: Just type what you want to know. No formulas, no queries. Ask questions the way you talk, and Cognos will pull the answer.
- Auto Pattern Recognition: Cognos spots trends and alerts you to changes without being asked, helping you react faster.
- Hybrid Cloud Ready: It fits your infrastructure. On-prem, cloud, or both—it works however your business is set up.
Benefits
- Low Barrier to Entry: Even people with zero analytics training can jump in and start building reports within minutes.
- Frees Up IT Resources: Because users can self-serve, your IT team isn’t stuck writing custom reports every time someone needs new data.
- Enterprise-Grade Security: Data stays protected with fine-tuned permissions and encryption. Compliance? Covered.
- All-in-One Analytics: Dashboards, reporting, storytelling—it all happens in one tool, reducing costs and complexity.
7. Apache Superset
Overview
Apache Superset is one of the best data analytics tools and comes with coding freedom. This flexible, open-source platform is suitable for teams that deeply depend on SQL rather than pre-built templates. The tool is fast, light, and highly adaptable for startups and development-oriented businesses.
Features
- SQL-Centric Design: This is one of the best data analytics tools, enabling users to utilize raw SQL for custom queries.
- Modular Dashboards: Dashboards are easy to construct using reusable components. You build it once and tweak it as needed.
- Developer-Friendly Extensions: Because it’s open-source, developers can add new features, customize the interface, or integrate it with other tools.
- Granular Access Controls: Admins can set detailed user roles to manage who sees what, which is especially useful for teams with tiered permissions.
Benefits
- No Licensing Costs: Since it’s free to use, organizations can buy it without spending extra money on licensing costs.
- Tailored to Tech Teams: It’s easy to integrate with the development pipelines. You can also adjust it to match your brand or platform.
- Scales with Ease: You can deploy it through Docker or Kubernetes and scale it up as your user base or data volume grows.
- Strong Open Source Ecosystem: This platform is maintained well with regular updates. The global contributors also keep the platform modern and robust.
How to Choose the Right Data Analytics Tool?
There are numerous data analytics tools available in the market. So, depending on your business goals, budget, and the skills and expertise of your employees, you should pick the right one. Here is how to finalize your decision based on these factors
1. Define Your Use Case
First, ask yourself what your preference is. Is it data visualization, real-time dashboards, or predictive analytics? For instance, if you prefer data visualization, you should integrate Power BI and Tableau. For advanced statistical features, you must go with IBM Cognos and SAS.
2. Assess Team Skills
Then, consider your team’s skills. If they prefer drag-and-drop interfaces, Qlik Sense and Power BI will be the best. If they have expertise in SQL-based tools, Apache Superset will be suitable.
3. Consider Data Volume & Variety
When you need to work with huge data sets, Quilk and Looker are the best. They can handle multi-source datasets.
4. Integration Needs
Are you looking for data analytics tools that support integration? Then, you can choose tools like Power BI or Looker. Power BI is suitable for Microsoft-based environments, and Looker fits well with Google Cloud.
5. Budget Constraints
Worried about licensing fees? Choose a tool like Apache Superset that has enterprise-ready solutions and licensing fees.
*chaosgenius.io
Conclusion
The data analytics landscape is rich and dynamic. It offers several advantages for users. Whether you’re looking for scalability, budget-friendliness, or AI automation, there is always the right tool. You just have to select it sincerely.
So, investing in the best data analytics tools doesn’t mean just buying a license; rather, it indicates equipping your team to perform their data analysis tasks faster and make better decisions.
Nurture Your Career Growth with a Professional Data Analytics Course
Want to take a step forward in your data analytics career? Here is the Professional Certificate Programme in Advanced Analytics & Business Intelligence from IIM Kozhikode. The course is a collaborative effort between IIM Kozhikode and Jaro Education. Jaro is IIM Kozhikode’s marketing partner, and they provide top-notch services for students. These include a lifelong learning experience, career guidance, access to forums and discussions, and more.
The programme prioritizes the essential data science and business analytics skills that help individuals manage their professional responsibilities. It provides in-depth exposure to –
- Python for data analysis
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If interested, you can now access this course through Jaro Education. Jaro Education is one of the leading online education providers in the country, helping you upskill and excel in your career. They also provide guidance and assistance to students throughout their educational journey, ensuring they fulfill their career goals.
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