Power BI Free vs. Pro: Which Plan Is Best for Your Business Budget?

Power BI is available in two versions: a free version and a paid version called Power BI Pro. The main differences between these two versions are the features and limitations of each.

Power BI is offered in a free version, called Power BI Desktop, and a paid version, called Power BI Pro. The main difference between these two is the level of functionality and the intended use.

The free version of Power BI, Power BI Desktop, includes basic data modeling, data visualization, and data exploration capabilities. It allows the users to create and share reports and visualizations with others, but it does not include access to all of the features available in the paid version.

Additionally, the free version is intended for individual use only and is not suitable for small teams and departments.

Power BI Pro is a paid version of the software that is intended for small teams and departments. It includes additional features such as collaboration, sharing, and data governance. Power BI Pro allows multiple users to access, edit and share the same report.

The Pro version also includes more advanced visualizations, like synoptic panels and custom visuals, and it allows schedule data refreshes and share dashboards with external users.

Here are some key differences between Power BI Free and Power BI Pro:

1. Data refresh: Power BI Free allows you to refresh your data at a maximum frequency of once per day, while Power BI Pro allows you to refresh your data as frequently as every hour.
2. Data storage: Power BI Free allows you to store up to 1 GB of data, while Power BI Pro allows you to store up to 10 GB of data.
3. Data sources: Power BI Free allows you to connect to a limited number of data sources, while Power BI Pro allows you to connect to a much wider range of data sources.
4. Collaboration: Power BI Free allows you to share your dashboards and reports with a limited number of users, while Power BI Pro allows you to share with an unlimited number of users.
5. Custom visuals: Power BI Free does not allow you to use custom visuals, while Power BI Pro allows you to use custom visuals as well as create your own custom visuals using the Power BI Visualization API.

Power BI Free is a good option for individuals and small teams who want to get started with data visualization and analysis, while Power BI Pro is better suited for larger organizations and more advanced users who need more advanced features and greater data storage and refresh capabilities.