Comparison · Business intelligence tools
Looker vs Tableau: which is better in 2026?
Tableau ranks higher in our list of business intelligence tools (#2 against #3, score 90.0 against 89.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.
- 89.0Editorial score90.0
- 1Platforms3
- NoFree to useYes
- NoOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
Choose Looker if you want
Data teams governing metrics for many users.
A governed metrics layer and embedded analytics from Google Cloud, with a free trial and sales-led subscriptions. It is built for large deployments and data teams, so small teams will find Metabase quicker to start.
Choose Tableau if you want
Analysts who build rich, interactive dashboards.
Excellent visual exploration and a huge connector and training ecosystem, but licenses are per user and the free edition publishes publicly. Power BI is cheaper for Microsoft shops, and Metabase is free to self-host.
The main differences
- Only Tableau runs on Windows.
- Only Tableau runs on macOS.
- Tableau can be used for free; Looker requires payment.
Side by side
 Looker |  Tableau | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 89.0 | 90.0 |
| Rank in list | #3 of 10 | #2 of 10 |
| Price | SubscriptionEnterprise subscription; free trial and demo | SubscriptionPer-user paid licenses; Tableau Public is free for public data |
| Free to use | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | WebWeb | WindowsmacOSWebWindows, macOS, Web |
| Made by | Google Cloud | Salesforce |
| Deployment | Google Cloud service | Desktop authoring plus Tableau Cloud or Server |
| Data sources | Cloud data warehouses and databases | Databases, files and cloud services |
| Desktop app | No | Yes |
| Best for | Data teams governing metrics for many users | Analysts who build rich, interactive dashboards |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Looker vs Tableau
- Is Tableau better than Looker?
- Tableau ranks higher in our list of business intelligence tools (#2 against #3, score 90.0 against 89.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Looker is best for: data teams governing metrics for many users. Tableau is best for: analysts who build rich, interactive dashboards.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
