Domo and Power BI are top business intelligence platforms built to help companies analyze and visualize their data. Both tools serve diverse teams—from SMBs to large enterprises—offering dashboarding, analytics, and data integration capabilities. While Domo positions itself as a complete end-to-end solution with real-time insights and strong mobile support, Power BI leverages its deep integration within the Microsoft ecosystem and competitive pricing tiers. For companies choosing a new analytics platform or upgrading from spreadsheets, understanding the differences in pricing, integrations, compliance, and data visualization is key.
- Domo is an end-to-end platform with robust data integration, real-time visualization, and a mobile-first approach.
- Power BI offers a flexible, affordable pricing structure and top-tier integration with Microsoft products.
- Both platforms support role-based access and GDPR compliance, but they differ in pricing transparency and data prep features.
- Consider team scale, ecosystem needs, and depth of analytics when choosing the right solution.
| Feature | How Domo handles it | How Power BI handles it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Quote-based, typically perceived as higher | Free tier; Pro at $9.99/user/month; Premium tiers | Power BI for budget transparency |
| Data Integration & Connectors | Strong data integration and ETL focus | Deep Microsoft ecosystem integration | Domo for non-Microsoft integrations; Power BI for Microsoft-heavy orgs |
| Visualization/Dashboards | Real-time, mobile-first dashboards | Flexible, interactive report builder | Domo for mobile use; Power BI for custom reporting |
| Security & Compliance | Enterprise-grade, GDPR, MFa, RBAC | GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, Azure AD | Both for compliance; Power BI for Azure orgs |
| User Limits | Not publicly specified | Free version has sharing/collaboration/user limits; higher in Premium | Domo for unclear scale needs; Power BI for priced scaling |
| Embedded Analytics | Yes (not detailed) | Available, especially in Premium | Both, but Power BI details public |
Introduction to Domo and Power BI
Domo and Power BI are leading platforms providing data visualization and business intelligence tools. Domo is recognized for its data integration (ETL) and end-to-end analytics, aiming to centralize data pipelines and create live dashboards. Power BI stands out with native Microsoft 365 integration and flexible pricing tiers, addressing needs from ad hoc analysis to company-wide, governed reporting. Both platforms target organizations seeking better ways to visualize data and make decisions.
Pricing Structure Comparison
Domo uses a quote-based pricing model, which is not published on its website. Third-party reviews consistently note that Domo is typically perceived as more expensive than Power BI, especially for smaller teams or limited budgets. You’ll need to contact Domo directly for a quote based on user count, data needs, and usage.
Power BI stands out for its transparent, tiered pricing. There is a free version with restricted features, Power BI Pro at $9.99/user/month aimed at business users, and Power BI Premium that unlocks advanced capacity and collaboration features. This clarity makes budgeting simpler and helps organizations scale as their needs grow.
Platform Features: Key Differences
Domo is marketed as a fully managed, end-to-end platform. It focuses on strong data ingestion, ETL orchestration, and real-time dashboards suited to a mobile-first experience. Businesses needing an all-in-one solution with less technical setup often lean toward Domo for its automation and integration capabilities.
Power BI excels in custom report building and integrates tightly with Microsoft products (Excel, Teams, Azure). Its advanced AI-based data preparation and analytics provide deeper capabilities for technical teams. Power BI’s flexible interface makes it preferable for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem or requiring highly tailored BI solutions.
Data Integration and Connectors
Domo prides itself on robust data integration and ETL (extraction, transformation, loading) features that allow businesses to unify data from multiple systems. This includes data connectors designed to import and blend cloud or on-premise datasets.
Power BI offers extensive pre-built connectors, especially for Microsoft services and popular third-party data platforms. Organizations using Azure, SQL Server, or other Microsoft tools benefit from streamlined connectivity. For companies with data outside the Microsoft stack, Domo may be preferable for broader ETL support.
Dashboard Capabilities and Data Visualization
Domo emphasizes real-time data visualization, making it easier to monitor live data across devices. Its dashboards are built for mobile use and allow quick sharing of insights across the organization. Embedded analytics are available, but specifics aren’t detailed publicly.
Power BI delivers powerful, customizable report and dashboard options. Its flexible interface and support for embedded analytics—especially for organizations with Power BI Premium—enable detailed dashboards, customizable visuals, and rich third-party integrations. For teams needing tailored or complex layouts, Power BI is a solid choice.
Security and Compliance
Both Domo and Power BI are built with strict security demands in mind. Domo offers enterprise-grade security, multi-factor authentication, user role management, and adheres to standards such as GDPR.
Power BI supports multiple compliance standards including GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001, with robust data encryption and integration with Azure Active Directory for centralized access and role-based control. This can be a major advantage if you require adherence to specific certifications or centralized identity management through Microsoft.
User Limits and Collaboration
Power BI’s free version restricts sharing and collaboration. Full data capacity, higher dataset refresh rates, and advanced AI features are reserved for Power BI Pro and Power BI Premium. This level-based access means you’ll need to budget for upgrades as your needs expand.
Domo does not publicly specify hard user or data size limits. This makes it less clear how scale is handled or priced for extreme scenarios, but offers flexibility for organizations with unpredictable user counts or unique collaboration needs.
Choosing the Right Solution: Domo vs Power BI
Select Domo if you want an all-in-one, mobile-friendly BI solution, need strong ETL/data pipeline support, and can invest in a premium analytics platform. It’s best for organizations seeking automation and simplified analytics on real-time data from diverse sources.
Choose Power BI if you prioritize pricing transparency, already use Microsoft services, or need advanced customizable report-building. Power BI suits companies focusing on cost-effective scaling, integration with existing Microsoft tools, and a familiar Office interface.
Conclusion
Both Domo and Power BI are high-quality business intelligence platforms with distinct strengths. Domo gives you strong ETL and mobile-first dashboards with an end-to-end approach, while Power BI offers affordable pricing, superior Microsoft integrations, and customize analytics at scale. Your decision should weigh budget, integration needs, compliance demands, and preferred user experience. When in doubt, test each platform’s trials to compare hands-on fit for your team.
Which is better for enterprise analytics: Domo or Power BI?
Domo is valued for end-to-end usability and real-time mobile dashboards; Power BI is often preferred by enterprises for deep customization, scalability, and Microsoft integration. Choice depends on IT environment and analytics scope.
How do Domo and Power BI compare on pricing and value?
Power BI provides clear, affordable entry points. Domo’s pricing is available only by quote and perceived as higher. Value depends on enterprise needs and feature priorities.
What security standards are supported by both Domo and Power BI?
Both comply with GDPR and offer enterprise-grade security. Power BI also meets HIPAA and ISO 27001 standards, with built-in Azure Active Directory integration.
Can Domo or Power BI handle larger data volumes more effectively?
Domo does not publicly specify data size limits. Power BI allows higher capacity with Premium plans, but free/pro tiers have restrictions.
Which has better integration with third-party data sources: Domo or Power BI?
Domo is recognized for strong data integration and ETL from various sources. Power BI stands out for Microsoft ecosystem integration and broad third-party connector support.
How do the customization and visualization options differ between Domo and Power BI?
Domo offers real-time, mobile-friendly dashboards. Power BI provides more granular report customization and visualization options, especially for advanced users.
Which platform offers better support and documentation resources?
Documentation and customer community are strong for both. Power BI benefits from Microsoft’s global ecosystem and resources; Domo offers dedicated support channels.
Are there notable limitations to either Domo or Power BI for SMBs?
Power BI’s free version restricts sharing and collaboration; advanced features require paid plans. Domo’s cost and unclear public limits may be less ideal for SMBs with tight budgets.