The top 10 embedded analytics platforms

Embedded analytics is changing the game for how we interact with data. Instead of jumping between multiple applications to access insights, embedded analytics brings powerful insights and visualizations, like dashboards and reports, directly into your existing workflows and applications.

For modern businesses, embedded analytics has become essential for customer retention and competitive advantage. Users expect data insights served up exactly when and where they need them, not buried in separate BI tools that disrupt their workflow.

One term for this experience is Analytics-Platform-as-a-Service (AnPaaS), a modern, cloud-native approach to delivering analytics. AnPaaS integrates AI, robust APIs, and flexible tools to provide real-time insights and intuitive analytical experiences within applications and workflows. In fact, S&P Global has validated that AnPaaS is the future of embedded analytics.

Consider these in-app intelligence examples:

1. You’re working in your project management tool and seeing real-time budget tracking right there. Or, your CRM displays customer analytics without you having to switch platforms.
2. Or, your CRM displays customer analytics without you having to switch platforms.

The above examples are embedded analytics within an AnPaaS environment: Seamless, contextual, and incredibly powerful when implemented correctly.

Here are the five platforms leading the embedded analytics space, each with its own strengths and ideal use cases.

1. Sisense: The developer-first powerhouse

When it comes to embedded analytics, Sisense has carved out a reputation as the platform that truly “gets” what developers and product teams need. Many analytics tools feel like they were built for data analysts first and app builders second. Sisense flips that script, leading the way regarding AnPaaS.

What sets Sisense apart is its developer-focused approach to embedding. The platform’s Compose SDK is a game-changer, allowing developers to embed fully customizable, interactive dashboards into applications with minimal coding effort. This isn’t just about dropping in a pre-built widget. It’s about creating analytics experiences that feel native to your application.

Sisense excels at making complex data simple through AI-powered features that actually solve real problems. Their natural language queries and embedded insights make analytics more intuitive, meaning end users don’t need extensive training to get value from your analytics features. The scalability factor is another major win. Whether you’re a startup embedding your first dashboard or an enterprise managing hundreds of instances, Sisense’s cloud-native architecture handles the load without infrastructure headaches as you grow. That’s a big win for product teams.

For organizations prioritizing time-to-market and developer experience, Sisense consistently delivers with manageable learning curves, solid documentation, and support teams that understand technical challenges.

Start your free trial

Get a full-featured 7-day trial with guided sample data (or your own data).

Try free

2. ThoughtSpot

ThoughtSpot takes a search-first approach to embedded analytics, allowing users to ask questions in plain English rather than navigating traditional dashboards. Users can type queries like “show me sales by region last quarter” and get immediate results. This natural language interface can reduce training time and improve user adoption, particularly for organizations where end users aren’t data experts. The platform focuses on making data exploration feel as intuitive as searching Google.

3. Domo

Domo positions itself as a comprehensive data platform that handles everything from data ingestion to visualization. Their cloud-first architecture emphasizes rapid deployment, making it suitable for organizations that need to get embedded analytics up and running quickly.

The platform offers pre-built connectors and templates that can accelerate time-to-market, though this comprehensive approach typically comes at a higher price point than specialized alternatives.* (asterisk is noted below as https://www.getapp.com/business-intelligence-analytics-software/a/domo/)

4. Tableau

Tableau brings its well-known visualization capabilities to embedded analytics, offering sophisticated charts and interactive dashboards that can be integrated into applications. The platform leverages the same visualization engine that has made it popular among data professionals. 

Tableau’s embedded offerings work well for organizations that need complex data visualizations and have the in-house technical resources to handle the implementation requirements.

5. Power BI

Power BI offers embedded analytics as part of the Microsoft ecosystem, providing integration advantages for organizations already using Office 365, Azure, or other Microsoft services. The platform offers a cost-effective option, particularly for companies with existing Microsoft licenses.

Power BI has improved its embedding capabilities in recent years, though it works best for organizations already committed to Microsoft infrastructure and familiar with Microsoft tools.

6. Looker

Looker, now part of Google Cloud, brings enterprise-grade analytics with its LookML modeling language. The platform offers real-time data exploration and can be embedded into applications for business intelligence use cases.

However, Looker requires users to learn LookML, which can create a learning curve for teams. The platform is also known for higher costs compared to alternatives, making it better suited for organizations already invested in the Google Cloud ecosystem.

7. Reveal

Reveal is a cloud-based embedded analytics platform focused on simplicity and speed. It offers drag-and-drop visualizations and customizable dashboards that can be quickly integrated into applications without extensive technical expertise.

The platform works well for teams that need straightforward embedded analytics without complex implementation requirements, though it may lack some of the advanced features found in more established platforms.

8. Qlik Sense

Qlik Sense uses an associative engine that indexes and connects relationships between data points automatically. The platform supports self-service analytics with interactive dashboards and accepts natural language queries through its cognitive engine.

Qlik Sense offers solid embedded analytics capabilities and has been in the market long enough to develop a comprehensive feature set, though the platform can require technical expertise for advanced implementations.

9. GoodData

GoodData provides creation, delivery, and automated management of analytics at scale. The platform is designed to support analytical product roadmaps and enables organizations to deliver insights to customers and partners through embedded experiences.

GoodData focuses on multi-tenant architecture and white-label capabilities, making it suitable for software vendors who need to deploy analytics across multiple customer instances.

10. Qrvey

Qrvey is built specifically for multi-tenant SaaS applications, offering embedded analytics with iframe-free embedding and white-label capabilities. The platform includes data connections, analytics, and automation delivered as embeddable components.

Qrvey works well for SaaS companies that need multi-tenancy support and don’t want to deal with iframe limitations, though it’s more niche compared to broader platforms.

Making the right choice for your organization

Choosing the right embedded analytics platform isn’t just about features and capabilities. It’s about finding the solution that aligns with your organization’s technical infrastructure, your product team, your app builders (developers and beyond), your end-user needs, and your long-term strategy.

The embedded analytics landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by increasing user expectations and advancing AI capabilities. Whichever platform you choose, the key is to start with your users’ needs and work backward to the technical requirements. The best embedded analytics platform is the one that makes data insights feel natural and valuable within your users’ existing workflows. 

Remember, the goal isn’t just to embed analytics. It’s to embed insights that drive better decisions. 

Choose the platform that best serves that ultimate objective, and your embedded analytics initiative will deliver real value for your organization and your users

See how Sisense accelerates analytics in your product.

Book a demo