In short: Qlik Sense is a genuine, capable BI platform with a distinctive associative data engine that many analytics professionals rate highly for exploratory analysis. For UK SMEs operating in the Microsoft ecosystem, however, Power BI is the more practical choice: it costs significantly less, integrates natively with Dynamics 365, Business Central, and Microsoft 365, and does not require specialist Qlik expertise to implement. Qlik Sense is worth serious consideration for organisations with complex, multi-source data environments and existing Qlik expertise, particularly outside the Microsoft stack.
Feature comparison at a glance
Pricing excludes VAT and is indicative as of early 2025.
| Microsoft Power BI | Qlik Sense | Advantage view | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence cost | ~£8.40/user/month (Pro) Often included in M365 |
~£30-£40/user/month (Business SaaS) Enterprise pricing on request |
Power BI is significantly more cost-effective for most SMEs |
| Data engine | Columnar in-memory (DAX) | Associative engine Free-form exploration |
Qlik's associative engine is a genuine differentiator for exploratory analysis |
| Microsoft 365 integration | Native Teams, SharePoint, Excel |
Third-party connectors | Power BI embeds natively in Teams and SharePoint; Qlik does not |
| Dynamics 365 / BC connection | Native direct connector | Via ODBC or third-party | Power BI's native ERP connectivity is a clear advantage for Microsoft-stack businesses |
| Ease of use (business users) | Accessible Excel-familiar interface |
Moderate learning curve | Power BI is more accessible; Qlik's interface rewards specialist training |
| Self-service analytics | Strong for structured reporting | Strong for exploration Associative click-through |
Qlik's associative model enables freer exploration; Power BI suits structured dashboards |
| Data connectivity | 100+ connectors | 100+ connectors | Both connect to the data sources most SMEs use |
| Sharing & governance | Power BI Service; Teams; SharePoint | Qlik Cloud or Qlik Sense Enterprise | Power BI Service included; Qlik Enterprise deployment adds cost and complexity |
| AI & augmented analytics | Copilot in Power BI (2025) | Qlik AutoML; Insight Advisor | Both developing AI capability. Qlik AutoML is a differentiator for predictive use cases |
| Market position | Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader | Gartner Magic Quadrant Challenger | Power BI leads on market share; Qlik retains strong enterprise reputation |
Which platform fits your business?
Choose Power BI if…
- You use Dynamics 365, Business Central, or any Microsoft ERP or CRM
- You want dashboards embedded in Microsoft Teams or SharePoint
- Power BI Pro may already be included in your M365 licence
- You need accessible self-service reporting without specialist BI skills on staff
- You want structured operational dashboards for finance and operations teams
- Cost-effectiveness is a priority for your BI investment
- Your analysts are familiar with Excel and Microsoft tools
Consider Qlik Sense if…
- Your organisation has existing Qlik expertise and certified users
- You need highly flexible, exploratory analysis across complex multi-source data
- You are not primarily operating in the Microsoft ecosystem
- You have use cases for Qlik AutoML or embedded analytics in your own applications
- You are in a sector with established Qlik adoption (logistics, life sciences, manufacturing)
Power BI connected to your Business Central and Dynamics 365 data
Advantage implements Power BI for UK SMEs as part of Business Central and Dynamics 365 deployments, delivering live executive dashboards, operational KPIs, and financial reporting without complex middleware or specialist BI developers. For businesses in logistics, distribution, professional services, and financial services running Microsoft systems, Power BI is the natural and practical choice.
The Advantage methodology
Power BI implementations are most valuable when built around actual business decisions, not data for its own sake. We design dashboards with the end user in mind from the start.
We identify the KPIs, reports, and audiences that matter most, so dashboards are built around actual business decisions, not what is easy to extract.
Data modelling, Power BI report build, row-level security, and deployment to Teams or SharePoint, delivered as part of your broader Microsoft implementation.
Dashboard evolution, additional reports, and training as your business grows and reporting needs change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions: Power BI vs Qlik Sense
Common questions from UK businesses comparing Microsoft Power BI and Qlik Sense, answered honestly by Advantage, Microsoft Solutions Partner.
What is Qlik Sense?
Qlik Sense is a business intelligence and data analytics platform from Qlik, known for its associative data engine which allows users to explore data freely across multiple dimensions without being constrained by predefined query structures or hierarchies.
It is available as Qlik Sense Business (SaaS) and Qlik Sense Enterprise, and is considered a mid-to-enterprise market tool. Qlik also offers QlikView, an older product, though Qlik Sense is the current strategic platform. Qlik has a strong presence in logistics, manufacturing, life sciences, and financial services.
Is Power BI better than Qlik Sense?
For UK SMEs operating in the Microsoft ecosystem, Power BI is the stronger choice. It offers native integration with Dynamics 365, Business Central, and Microsoft 365; is significantly more cost-effective; and requires less technical expertise to implement and maintain.
Qlik Sense's associative engine is a genuine differentiator for exploratory data analysis and organisations with complex, multi-source data environments, particularly those not primarily using Microsoft technology. Both are legitimate, capable platforms; the right choice depends on your existing technology stack, budget, and the nature of your reporting requirements.
How much does Qlik Sense cost?
Qlik Sense Business (SaaS) typically starts at approximately £30 to £40 per user per month for full creator access. Qlik Sense Enterprise pricing is negotiated directly with Qlik and is typically higher, particularly for on-premise deployments.
Power BI Pro is approximately £8.40 per user per month and is often included in existing Microsoft 365 licences. For most UK SMEs, Power BI represents considerably better value, with the added benefit that licences may already be in place.
What is Qlik's associative engine and does Power BI have it?
Qlik's associative engine allows users to click on any data point and immediately see how it relates to every other dimension in the dataset, without being constrained by pre-defined hierarchies or query structures. Selections propagate instantly across all charts and tables, highlighting related data and greying out unrelated data. It is Qlik's most distinctive capability and is particularly valued for free-form exploratory analysis.
Power BI uses a columnar in-memory engine with DAX for querying. It supports cross-filtering between visuals, but within a more structured framework. For structured operational dashboards and KPI reporting, Power BI's approach is entirely sufficient. For deeply exploratory analysis across complex multi-dimensional data, Qlik's associative engine is a genuine differentiator.
Does Qlik Sense connect to Dynamics 365 or Business Central?
Qlik Sense can connect to Dynamics 365 and Business Central via ODBC drivers or third-party connectors, but these are not native integrations and may require additional configuration and licensing.
Power BI has direct, native connectors for both Dynamics 365 and Business Central, enabling live dashboards without middleware, additional connector licences, or manual data exports. For businesses running Microsoft ERP and CRM systems, this native connectivity is a significant practical advantage.
Can Advantage help us implement Power BI?
Yes. Advantage implements Power BI for UK SMEs, connecting it to Business Central, Dynamics 365, and other data sources to deliver executive dashboards and operational reporting. This is typically delivered as part of a broader Dynamics 365 or Business Central implementation, or as a standalone analytics engagement.
Call us on 020 3004 4600 or contact us online to discuss your reporting requirements.
