Chartio vs. Looker: A Friendly Data Duel
When you're working with data, having a tool that can help you visualize it is critical. Some may argue that pie charts are useless, but let's not go there. Instead, let's compare two of the top data visualization platforms on the market: Chartio and Looker.
Pricing
As always, the cost is an important factor to consider when selecting a tool for data visualization. Chartio offers its services on a subscription basis, with a starting price of $200 per month, which includes three users. If you require more users, their $500 per month plan can accommodate up to fifteen. Looker, on the other hand, offers a customizable pricing plan based on the volume of data and number of users. As a result, their pricing plan may vary depending on your specific requirements.
Data Visualization Features
Chartio and Looker both have similar features when it comes to data visualization. Both platforms allow you to choose from a wide range of visualizations including pie charts, line graphs, bar charts and scatter plots. Additionally, they allow for customization options, so users can tailor their visualizations to their preference.
Chartio prides itself on its user-friendly interface, allowing users to drag and drop to build their visualizations, making it accessible for even those with minimal experience. Looker, on the other hand, takes a more technical approach, which may better suit the more experienced user. They also have a wide variety of plugins, making it easier to connect to different data sources and third-party platforms.
Although both platforms are comparable, Looker has a more advanced exploration tool, which allows for more powerful queries and in-depth analysis of data sets. It also offers a broad range of integrations with other analytics tools, which can align different departments.
Customer Support
When it comes to customer support, both Chartio and Looker provide online documentation via their respective support centers, and both offer email support. Chartio takes an additional step, offering one-to-one video sessions if you need more personalized assistance. Looker has a more extensive support system with both email and phone support options. Additionally, they offer a private Slack channel for customers with a vested interest, but with only two support centers, it may take longer to get a response.
Conclusion
Both Chartio and Looker offer excellent visualization options with different pricing plans, features, and user interfaces. Your final decision depends on the size of your business, the volume of data you work with, the level of technical expertise your team has, and your budget.
In the end, it's hard to declare an absolute winner, as the decision rests on individual business requirements. Regardless of the tool you choose, the other one will keep lurking around.