Best starter BI solutions for small and growing startups

Updated: We've expanded the list and added a decision tree to help guide you.

Business Intelligence (BI) refers to the technology that gives you the tools to analyze, explore and present actionable information to help executives, managers, and other end-users make informed business decisions. At its core, BI is about making sense of your data—turning numbers into strategies, metrics into performance insights, and actions into measurable results.

For small or growing startups, BI becomes especially crucial as business complexity increases. Even in the early stages, having a solid BI solution allows teams to monitor key performance metrics, identify opportunities, and troubleshoot issues before they escalate. Implementing the right BI tool can mean the difference between data chaos and informed decision-making, helping startups scale efficiently while avoiding unnecessary pitfalls.

That said, what matters to a small, early-stage startup that is still exploring product-market fit and growing may be different from what matters to a startup that is more established and focusing on operations.

Key considerations when choosing a BI solution

Before choosing a BI tool, it’s essential to think about the following questions:

• Are you looking for a solution that is flexible as your business quickly changes? Startups often need tools that can evolve with them as their metrics and data needs rapidly change in contrast with companies that may already have product-market fit and a strong understanding of their go-to-market motion, and may be more focused on operations.
• Do you need a budget-friendly solution? Some BI tools come with hefty price tags, while others offer free or budget-conscious options. Consider your financial runway before committing.
• Do you have someone hired to configure and maintain the BI solution? BI tools can range from plug-and-play to needing constant attention from a dedicated team. Depending on your internal capacity, you may prefer a more user-friendly tool or one that requires technical expertise.
• Does team efficiency and productivity matter? Certain BI tools offer smoother collaboration features and allow for quicker setup, which can lead to enhanced productivity and fewer bottlenecks.

We've put together a decision tree to help you navigate this decision.

Exploring the best starter BI solutions for early and growing startups

In today's data-driven world, business intelligence tools are indispensable for extracting actionable insights from raw data. Whether you're a BI lead, data scientist, CTO or product manager, selecting the right BI solution can make all the difference. For those just starting, it’s crucial to find tools that are not only powerful but also user-friendly and cost-effective. Here, we explore the best starter BI solutions, including free options, that cater to various needs and skill levels.

Lightdash (Not free)

Lightdash is a modern BI tool designed to integrate seamlessly with dbt, making it an excellent choice for teams that already use dbt for data transformation. It offers an intuitive interface and powerful analytics capabilities.

• Key Features: Seamless dbt integration, advanced analytics, customizable dashboards.
• Cons: Requires advanced dbt knowledge, less user-friendly for non-technical users, no AI functionality.

Looker Data Studio (Free plan)

Looker Data Studio (not to be confused with Looker!) offers robust data visualization capabilities and integrates seamlessly with other Google services. It’s an excellent starting point for beginners looking for a cost-effective BI tool.

• Key Features: Drag-and-drop interface, pre-built templates, real-time data updates.
• Cons: Limited advanced analysis and customization, no AI functionality.

Redash (Free)

Redash is a free, open-source BI tool that is popular for its ability to connect to a wide range of data sources. It’s ideal for SQL-savvy users who need a customizable solution.

• Key Features: SQL-based query editor, customizable dashboards, connects to various data sources.
• Cons: Requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance, no AI functionality.

Hashboard (Not free)

Hashboard is a robust BI solution with powerful data visualization and analysis capabilities. It’s designed to help teams quickly create and share insights.

• Key Features: User-friendly interface, advanced visualization tools, team collaboration features.
• Cons: Early-stage product, lacks a full suite of features, no AI functionality.

Omni (Not free)

Omni provides advanced analytics and data visualization, perfect for teams that want to go beyond basic metrics and collaborate on complex datasets.

• Key Features: Advanced analytics, collaboration tools, supports large datasets.
• Cons: Requires technical setup, no AI functionality.

Metabase (Free plan)

Metabase is an open-source BI tool with an intuitive interface, designed for users who don’t need SQL expertise. It’s perfect for startups looking for a free and flexible solution.

• Key Features: Simple interface, open-source, customizable.
• Cons: Requires engineering talent for setup, no AI functionality.

Sigma (Not free)

Sigma is a cloud-based BI tool that offers a spreadsheet-like interface, making it easy for business users to explore and analyze data without needing deep technical skills. Sigma is particularly valuable for teams looking to leverage cloud-native data warehouses like Snowflake.

• Key Features: Spreadsheet-like interface, cloud-native integration, real-time collaboration.
• Cons: Paid solution, requires integration setup.

Fabi.ai (Free plan)

Fabi.ai is a powerful yet user-friendly BI solution that allows users to get up and running with a dashboard in minutes. It integrates seamlessly with existing tools, providing a flexible and efficient solution for all your data needs.

• Key Features: Quick dashboard setup, Python support for advanced analysis, AI assistant for insights.
• Cons: No built-in semantic layer.

Choosing the right BI solution: Balance business model, budget & capacity

Selecting the right BI tool comes down to evaluating the key considerations mentioned above. If you're looking for flexibility, budget-friendly options, and a solution that can grow with your business, the tools in this list can meet your needs. The right choice ultimately depends on your business stage, internal capabilities, and budget.

If your business model is still evolving and AI to boost team productivity doesn't matter, consider Metabase, Redash or Looker Studio. On the other hand, if you don't need a budget-friendly solution, Omni and Mode may be good options for you.

If you have a more established business and want to define strict metrics and KPIs, depending on your budget, Hashboard, Ligthdash or Sigma may be good options. If you want to manage strict metrics though, and don't have someone dedicated to configuring and maintain the BI solution, you may want to consider either hiring someone or starting with a more affordable, lighter-weight solution.

Finally, if you're looking for a flexible, budget-friendly solution with powerful AI capabilities, we invite you to try out Fabi.ai for free.