Tableau Review - why 4.5 stars?

• The software can handle a large number of datasets
• Tableau offers data visualization capabilities
• The reports of users can be updated automatically every day
• The free version allows watching training videos on the company website
• Tableau can work with any type and size of data, from databases to spreadsheets

• Users complain that most of the features there are not self-explanatory
• Tableau lacks in predictive analytics that can uncover hidden data relationships
• The software also does not have a development kit that is needed for API so it would be more customizable for users
• Some of the software’s complex dashboards still require the expertise of IT personnel to use them accordingly
• Tableau lacks some controls like gauges and dials associated with a dashboard program

• Functionality: Tableau offers features like Powerful Analytics, Business Intelligence, Share & Collaborate, Data-driven Decisions, Visualizations & Dashboards, Create & Share Custom Views, Performance & Health, Business Dashboards, etc. Sisense offers features like Embed, Analytics, Clouds, Integrations, Agility Management & Customization, Ad hoc Query, Customizable Dashboard, Financial Reporting, Forecasting, Interactive Reports, Marketing Reports, Mobile Reporting, Multi-User Collaboration, OLAP, Sales Reports, etc. Qlik Sense offers features like Analytics (available in all alternatives), IT Analytics, HR & People Analytics, Marketing Analytics (available in Sisense), Sales Analytics, Supply Chain Analytics, Dashboard, Data Analysis Tools, Data Blending, Data Cleansing, Data Discovery, Data Visualization, etc. SAP Analytics Cloud offers features like Business Intelligence, Conversational Analytics, Automated Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Predictive Planning, Financial Planning, Collaboration, Company-wide Analytics, etc.
• Customers/Industries: Tableau targets Communications & Media, High Technology, Sports Management, Energy & Resources, Banking, Insurance, Government, Consumer Goods, Retail & Wholesale, Services, Travel & Transportation, etc. Tableau has customers like Sysco Labs, Data Culture, Progressive, Red Hat, Splunk, Duke University Health, Specialized, etc. Sisense targets business analysts in Healthcare, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Retail, Technology, Pharma & Life Sciences. Companies with business analysts who use Sisense are PRG, Air Canada, Crisis text line, Crunchbase, etc. Qlik Sense targets Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, Manufacturing, High Tech, Public Sector, Energy and Utilities, Communications, Life Sciences, Consumer Products, etc. Customers using QlikView are NHS, Airbus, PayPal, Deloitte, Lloyds, etc. SAP Analytics Cloud targets Banking, Insurance, Agribusiness, Consumer Products, Fashion, Life Sciences, Retail, Wholesale Distribution, Media, Passenger Travel and Leisure, Professional Services, Sports and Entertainment, Telecommunications, etc.
• Cost: Tableau starts at $70 per user per month, billed annually. The license cost information for Sisense is unavailable. Qlik Sense starts at $30 per user per month, billed annually. QlikSense has a free trial and version. SAP Analytics Cloud starts at $36 per user per month with a free trial and version.
• Cloud-based/On-premise: Tableau and all its alternatives are cloud-based. Tableau, QlikSense, and Sisense have an On-Premise version for Windows and Linux.
• Popularity: Tableau is a subsidiary of Salesforce and is publicly traded on the NYSE under the CRM symbol with 42,000 customers. QlikSense is a product of Qlik, which is also privately held with more than 50,000+ customers and analysts.
• Scalability: Tableau and all its alternatives can accommodate organizations of all sizes.
• Support: Tableau and Qlik Sense offers support channels like Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, 24/7 (Live Rep), and Chat. SAP Analytics Cloud offers all channels of Tableau except 24/7 (Live Rep). Sisense offers an Email/Help Desk, Chat, Knowledge Base, and FAQs/Forum.

• Tableau Creator starts at $70 per user per month billed annually.
• Tableau Explorer starts at $42 per user per month, billed annually.
• Tableau Viewer starts at $15 per user per month billed annually.

What is the REAL total cost of implementation? on top of the total cost of licenses which is easy to calculate you need to add the cost of training, customization, data migration, and other "hidden cost". ITQlick pricing score is 2 out of 10 (10 is most expensive). You can fine here the REAL total cost breakdown for Tableau. You can also find here pricing information from Tableau's website.