QlikView vs Google Looker: A Comparative Analysis
Overview
Choosing the right business intelligence (BI) tool is critical for data-driven decision-making. QlikView and Google Looker are two prominent players in the BI space, each with unique features and capabilities.
While QlikView offers in-memory data processing and a wide array of visualization options, Google Looker stands out with its powerful data modeling and web-based interface. However, businesses must consider their specific needs when selecting a BI tool.
This comparison will delve into the strengths and weaknesses of QlikView and Google Looker. Additionally, we'll explore how Sourcetable provides an alternative to most business intelligence tools through a modernized, spreadsheet-like interface.
What is QlikView?
QlikView is a Business Discovery Platform that specializes in in-memory data processing. It excels at maintaining and automatically managing data relationships within datasets.
It is designed to visualize data relationships through the use of colors and also has the capability to display unrelated data, enhancing data comprehension.
QlikView supports both direct and indirect searches to facilitate data exploration. The platform is known for its ability to create advanced reports quickly and efficiently.
What is Google Looker?
Google Looker is a modern data exploration and analytics platform that is part of the Google Cloud suite of tools. Unlike QlikView's associative engine, Looker uses an in-database architecture and a proprietary modeling language called LookML to define data relationships and create a single source of truth for analysis. Looker facilitates intuitive visual discovery, but its approach focuses on a centralized data modeling layer, which is different from QlikView's decentralized associative engine.
As a cloud-native solution, Google Looker is designed for cloud-based SaaS deployment, emphasizing accessibility and integration with various data sources within the Google Cloud ecosystem and beyond. It does not offer an on-premises solution like Qlik Sense. Looker provides customizable dashboards and reports, enabling organizations to derive insights for strategic decisions, similar to QlikView's capabilities.
Google Looker supports a collaborative environment, allowing users to share insights and make data-driven actions. Its platform is built to accommodate a variety of analytics applications, from real-time performance reporting to strategic decision making. While QlikView offers AI-powered insights, Looker also integrates advanced analytics features and machine learning capabilities to enhance data exploration and business intelligence.
QlikView vs Google Looker
Market Presence and Technology
QlikView has a 20-year head start over Google Looker, leveraging the mature QIX engine. Looker, while newer, is designed as a cloud-based solution.
Feature Set
When evaluating feature by feature, QlikView outperforms Looker with a more comprehensive feature set, powerful ETL capabilities, and a wider variety of charts.
Data Connectivity
QlikView offers superior data connection options compared to Looker, facilitating easier access to a range of data sources.
Extensions and Support
QlikView benefits from a larger assortment of third-party extensions and has more tutorial content available for free, enhancing user support and customization.
Cloud Capabilities
While QlikView provides both on-premises and cloud-based deployment options, Looker specializes in cloud-based analytics, making it inherently scalable and accessible.
API and Data Handling
Looker excels with API data sources, catering to modern data environments, whereas QlikView's robust ETL is more versatile in data extraction and transformation.
Analytics and Insights
QlikView's associative engine promotes intuitive visual discovery, placing business intelligence in the hands of many. Both QlikView and Looker offer AI-powered insights, but QlikView has a broader reach due to its on-premises and cloud deployments.
Deployment Options
QlikView is flexible with deployment options, available both as a cloud-based SaaS with Qlik Cloud Analytics and on-premises with Qlik Sense. Looker is primarily a cloud-based solution.
Why Choose Sourcetable as Your Data Analytics Solution
Unlike QlikView's flexible architecture, Sourcetable simplifies data analytics by integrating multiple data sources into a single, intuitive spreadsheet interface. This approach offers real-time data querying without the need for a complex platform.
Sourcetable provides a streamlined alternative to QlikView's associative analytics engine, allowing users to manipulate and explore data directly, fostering an efficient analytics experience without the learning curve of unique engines.
While QlikView emphasizes a multi-cloud architecture for deployment and scaling, Sourcetable's focus is on accessibility and ease of use, enabling users to manage and analyze data without concerns about cloud infrastructure complexities.
Addressing the challenges of misleading price comparisons with Power BI, Sourcetable offers a straightforward, transparent approach to data analysis, prioritizing simplicity and direct access to information over intricate pricing structures.
Focusing on real-time data access and manipulation, Sourcetable serves as a practical alternative to QlikView's powerful scripting engine, providing a user-friendly, spreadsheet-like environment that caters to both technical and non-technical users.
As security remains a crucial aspect of data analytics, Sourcetable ensures data integrity and protection, providing a secure and reliable platform for data management, rivaling QlikView's focus on security.
Conclusion
In summation, when comparing QlikView and Google Looker, businesses must consider their specific needs for data analytics and visualization. QlikView offers robust, in-memory data processing, while Looker excels with its powerful data modeling and integration with the Google Cloud Platform.
Choosing the right tool depends on your organization's size, the complexity of data, and the level of customization required. Both platforms have their strengths, but the decision ultimately hinges on your company's unique data strategy and objectives.
For those seeking a streamlined alternative, Sourcetable presents a modern, AI-powered spreadsheet solution that effortlessly syncs with data across all your services. This innovative tool can effectively replace the need for most business intelligence tools, simplifying your data analysis processes.
To explore how Sourcetable can enhance your data insights, book a demo today and discover the potential of AI-driven analytics.
