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Microsoft Power BI Version Comparison

This article applies to: Office 365 Productivity Bundle

The free desktop version allows you to combine multiple data sources (both local and remote) into complex dashboards, to massage the data tables, and to publish snapshots of the data models for access by others.

The for-fee, web-based Pro version allows you to create simpler models from local data sources, and to assign group permissions to models created in the desktop version.

Power BI Desktop

Power BI Free

Power BI Pro

Description

Connect data and create reports and dashboards for personal use on Windows computers

Connect data and create reports and dashboards for personal use in web browser

Connect data and create reports and dashboards and collaborate with other Pro users

Cost

Free for everyone – Some features require additional license

Free for everyone

Cost $

How to access

Free download from Microsoft

Request a free license from the IT Service Desk

Download through Office 365 after receiving license. See our Request Power BI Pro article.

Supported OS

Windows only

Windows and Mac, browser-based

Windows and Mac, browser-based

Support

Support for Power BI Desktop via Microsoft resources 

Support Power BI (free) via Microsoft resources 

Support for Power BI Pro primarily via Microsoft resources, with IT Service Desk “best effort” support

Sharing

None without additional license

None

Can publish and share content with other Pro users

Features

Connects to 70+ data sources – Export reports to PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, and CSV

Microsoft Feature Comparison

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