The right dashboard software can help you turn raw data into actionable insights and make data-driven decisions quickly and efficiently.
In this guide, we’ll break down the top dashboard tools to help you find the best fit for tracking KPIs (key performance indicators), monitoring performance, or conducting detailed data analysis.
Top 10 dashboard software
Here's a quick breakdown of the dashboard software we selected for this list.
How dashboard software makes data work for you
When it comes to making sense of your data, dashboards help you take the guesswork out of decision-making by turning complex datasets into clear, actionable insights:
- Data visualization: Organize raw data into easy-to-understand charts, graphs, or tables with real-time visualization.
- KPI tracking: Monitor key metrics to measure progress toward your goals.
- Interactive analysis: Filter, sort, and drill down into your data to explore insights.
Reporting and alerts: Automate reports and receive notifications for specific changes in your data.
Which platform is best for dashboard design?
Depending on your needs, your company may need a business intelligence (BI) tool that dives deep into data analysis or a performance dashboarding tool that makes it easy to monitor key metrics at a glance—or both. Here’s how to decide which type of dashboard software is best for you.
BI tools for deep data analysis
If your goal is to perform in-depth data exploration and gain insights from complex datasets, consider BI-focused dashboard software. These data analysis tools have advanced features like predictive analytics, custom data modeling, and support for large data volumes.
Best for: Data analysts, data scientists, business intelligence teams, and companies dealing with large datasets.
Performance tracking tools for quick insights
Performance tracking dashboards may be better if you track key performance indicators (KPIs) without more complex data analysis. Straightforward interfaces with real-time updates are great for keeping your team informed and aligned.
Best for: Small teams, marketing professionals, project managers, and customer support teams.
Data analysis and performance tracking
Some dashboard software strikes a balance between BI and performance tracking. These tools can handle complex data analysis but are still user-friendly for everyday performance monitoring.
Best for: Companies that need flexibility for in-depth analysis and simple KPI tracking.
The 10 best dashboard software
Finding the right dashboard software comes down to knowing what you need and matching that with the tool that fits best. We picked the best options based on the following criteria:
- User interface: How easy is it for admins to build the dashboard, control user access, and, if users can interact with the dashboard, get the information they need?
- Data sources: What kind of data sources do they have, and how easy is it to add new ones?
- Additional features: Other aspects such as export options, ecosystem, sharing options, and so on.
1. Softr
G2 rating: 4.8/5
Capterra rating: 4.7/5
Best for: No-code custom dashboards.
Building a custom dashboard doesn’t have to be complicated, especially with a no-code platform like Softr. It’s perfect for teams without technical expertise looking to create data-driven dashboards.
Softr dashboards automatically update with your data source, making it easier to monitor key metrics, track key performance indicators, see real-time insights, and make data-driven decisions.
Features:
- Choose a pre-built dashboard template or start from scratch with our drag-and-drop interface.
- Fully customizable dashboard with charts, tables, and widgets.
- Granular user access control.
- Integrate data from Airtable, Google Sheets, HubSpot, BigQuery, SQL data sources, and more.
Pros:
- User-friendly and intuitive interface, ideal for non-technical teams.
- Build dashboards with custom charts, KPIs, text blocks, directories and even entire apps.
- Create a standalone dashboard tool or combine it with client dashboards, marketing management tools, or CMS.
Cons:
- No data pre-processing.
- Limited data sources.
Pricing:
- Free.
- Basic: $49/month.
- Professional: $139/month.
- Business: $269/month.
Our verdict
Softr is great for teams seeking a quick, no-code way to build dashboards. If you need to preprocess a lot of data, you'll need to prep data in your data source.
2. Looker Studio (Google Data Studio)
G2 rating: 4.4/5
Capterra rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Businesses using Google services who need a cost-effective option.
Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio) is a free dashboard tool from Google that makes it easy to create customizable dashboards using data from multiple sources.
Features:
- Real-time data integration.
- Customizable templates.
- Collaborative editing.
- Granular user access control.
- Data processing tools.
Pros:
- Customizable widgets, styling, and data sources.
- Design, data filters, and data pre-processing tools to build dashboards.
Cons:
- Overwhelming for beginners.
- Can be slow with large datasets.
Pricing:
- Free; Looker Studio Pro pricing varies.
Our verdict
An excellent choice for Google users, but larger datasets may have performance issues.
3. Tableau
G2 rating: 4.4/5
Capterra rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Enterprises that need advanced data analytics.
Tableau is a powerful, flexible business intelligence and data visualization platform offering highly customizable, interactive dashboards.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop interface.
- Dashboard software includes multiple connections, blocks, and settings.
- Build interactive dashboards.
- Predictive analytics.
- Data blending.
- Extensive data integrations.
Pros:
- Real-time data visualization options and analytics capabilities.
- Connect with databases, services, APIs, data warehouses, and more.
- Supports complex data analysis.
- Customizable components and data sources.
Cons:
- A steep learning curve, especially for beginners.
- Focused on bigger companies.
Pricing:
- Tableau Creator: $75/user/month.
- Tableau Explorer: $42/user/month.
Our verdict
Tableau is a reliable, fast, customizable data visualization tool for enterprises. It’s probably overkill for small companies.
4. Microsoft Power BI
G2 rating: 4.5/5
Capterra rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Businesses using Microsoft products looking for advanced data solutions.
Power BI by Microsoft is a comprehensive tool designed for in-depth business intelligence, data analysis, and visualization, especially if you're already using Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Features:
- Build interactive dashboards.
- AI-powered data insights.
- Desktop and mobile accessibility.
- Collaboration tools to share and co-edit reports.
Pros:
- Integrates with Microsoft products.
- Advanced reporting features.
- Customizable dashboards.
- Advanced business analytics.
Cons:
- Requires technical expertise.
- Complex for beginners.
Pricing:
- Free; paid plans start at $10/user/month.
Our verdict
A strong choice for Microsoft users who want comprehensive business analytics. The learning curve might be challenging for users new to data visualization.
5. DashThis
G2 rating: 4.7/5
Capterra rating: 4.4/5
Best for: Marketing teams needing an easy-to-use reporting tool.
DashThis is a specialized dashboard tool designed primarily for marketing teams, offering pre-built templates and integrations with popular marketing platforms. You can also use the dashboarding tool for sales and e-commerce reporting.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop interface.
- Ready-to-use templates.
- Automated reporting.
- Create dashboards from multiple data sources.
- Automated integrations with marketing platforms like Google Analytics and Facebook Ads.
Pros:
- Premade widgets.
- White-label options.
- Copy dashboards or turn them into templates.
- Share dashboards with PDF exports, links, and invites.
Cons:
- Pricing is tied to the number of dashboards.
- Only one-page dashboards.
- No user access controls.
Pricing:
- Starts at $42/month.
Our verdict
Dash is beginner-friendly and a great option for getting started with data reporting. However, the lack of user access control and the pricing tied to the number of dashboards can be limitations.
6. Dash Enterprise by Plotly
G2 rating: 4.8/5
Capterra rating: 4.8/5
Best for: Data scientists, technical teams, and data analytics teams who need high customization and control.
Plotly’s Dash Enterprise is an advanced platform for creating and deploying web applications using Python.
Features:
- Python-based workflows.
- Customizable visualizations.
- Multi-user collaboration.
- Connect with data pipelines and databases directly, build custom connections or use API integrations.
Pros:
- Open-source Python library.
- Enterprise-grade security.
- Great for data science analysis.
Cons:
- Requires coding skills.
- Dashboards need to be exported as code.
- The open-source library is more of a coding tool than dashboard software.
Pricing:
- Contact for pricing.
Our verdict
If you have coding knowledge, Plotly can be a powerful data analysis tool for creating dashboards that require connections to custom apps, databases, or large-scale reporting needs.
7. ClickUp
G2 rating: 4.7/5
Capterra rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Project management with customizable dashboard features.
ClickUp's project management tool also offers customizable dashboards to track tasks, timelines, and goals.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop interface.
- Display project data, docs, checklists, KPIs, and notes.
- Custom widgets for data visualization.
- Real-time collaboration.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Premade cards.
- All-in-one tool for project management and dashboards.
Cons:
- No external data sources. If you want to report on external data, you need to import it.
- It can be quite expensive for a lot of users.
Pricing:
- Free plan; paid plans start at $7/user/month.
Our verdict
ClickUp is a good dashboard software option for project management. However, importing data from external sources might be too difficult.
8. Klipfolio
G2 rating: 4.7/5
Capterra rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Project management with customizable dashboard features.
ClickUp's project management tool also offers customizable dashboards to track tasks, timelines, and goals.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop interface.
- Display project data, docs, checklists, KPIs, and notes.
- Custom widgets for data visualization.
- Real-time collaboration.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Premade cards.
- All-in-one tool for project management and dashboards.
Cons:
- No external data sources. If you want to report on external data, you need to import it.
- It can be quite expensive for a lot of users.
Pricing:
- Free plan; paid plans start at $7/user/month.
Our verdict
ClickUp is a good dashboard software option for project management. However, importing data from external sources might be too difficult.
9. Geckoboard
G2 rating: 4.3/5
Capterra rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Small teams needing quick insights without advanced setup.
Geckoboard simplifies KPI monitoring with real-time data tracking and easy-to-read dashboards.
Features:
- Simple, intuitive design.
- Real-time updates.
- Pre-built integrations and widgets.
- Integrates with popular tools like HubSpot and Google Analytics.
Pros:
- User-friendly dashboard creation.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Track performance with real-time key metrics for immediate insights.
Cons:
- Fewer advanced customization options.
Pricing:
- Starts at $39/month.
Our verdict
Geckoboard is perfect for teams that need straightforward dashboards for real-time insights without complex setup, but it's not built for heavy data customization.
10. Databox
G2 rating: 4.8/5
Capterra rating: 4.8/5
Best for: Small businesses and marketing teams tracking performance KPIs.
Databox’s all-in-one business dashboard platform focuses on real-time tracking performance metrics.
Features:
- User-friendly mobile app.
- Pre-built templates.
- Integrations with over 70+ services like HubSpot, Google, and Salesforce.
Pros:
- Visually appealing dashboards.
- Easy-to-use customization.
- Create custom metrics and combine data from different sources.
- Set and monitor goals within the dashboard.
Cons:
- Some advanced features, like more data sources and advanced analysis and reporting come with higher pricing.
- Data is updated daily, not in real time, in the free plan.
Pricing:
- Free plan; paid plans start at $47/month.
Our verdict
Databox is a good choice for small businesses and marketing teams that need a visually appealing way to track key performance metrics but lower-tier plans may lack complex data analysis features.
How to choose the best dashboard software
Finding the right dashboard software comes down to knowing what you need and matching that with the tool that fits best. Here are some practical tips to help you make an informed decision:
1. Consider your primary use case
Are you looking for a tool to perform in-depth data analysis, business intelligence and complex data exploration? Or do you need real-time data and insights to track KPIs, web analytics, sales performance, or inventory levels?
2. Assess your team's technical skills
If your team isn't familiar with coding or advanced data modeling, opt for user-friendly, no-code tools like Softr.
More advanced BI tools may better fit technical teams working with Python or SQL.
3. Look at data integrations and data sources
Can you combine data from multiple sources? Make sure the dashboard software integrates with the platforms you’re already using.
4. Think about your budget
Pricing varies widely across dashboard tools, so consider what features you need versus what's just "nice to have."
5. Test the user experience
Take advantage of free trials or demos. Ease of use should always be a top priority. If your team can’t set up and navigate the platform, it won't provide value. A user-friendly interface can help business users get up to speed quickly.
Choosing the best dashboard software isn’t about finding the "perfect" tool but one that meets your needs and workflow.
Conclusion
Choosing the best dashboard software can improve how you manage, analyze, and visualize your data. Whether you need a simple, user-friendly tool or a more advanced platform, the right dashboard software can make data work for you, leading to smarter, faster decisions.
Start by considering your primary use case—in-depth data analysis or tracking everyday metrics—and weigh the features that matter most and best align with your goals.
Ready to build your own custom dashboard? Try Softr for free today! Softr's intuitive interface makes it easy to build dashboards in minutes, even for non-technical users. It's never been easier to stay on top of your data.
Frequently asked questions about dashboard software
Are Looker, Looker Studio and Google Data Studio the same thing?
Yes. Google rebranded Google Data Studio as Looker Studio. This tool is based on the previous GDS but has new features and a new pricing structure.
What is the best way to create a dashboard? Follow these 5 steps to create an effective dashboard:
1. Define your business objectives and identify important metrics that support your goals.
2. Sign up with Softr and connect your data source.
3. Customize your dashboard layout with charts, tables, and widgets that display important metrics and KPIs.
4. Share and collaborate with your team or clients.
5. Monitor your data, performance and KPIs in real time.
What is Softr
Softr is the easiest way to turn your data into powerful business apps—no code required. Connect to your spreadsheet or database, customize layout and logic, and share with your team or clients.
Join 700,000+ users worldwide, building client portals, internal tools, CRMs, dashboards, project management systems, inventory management apps, and more—all without code.
Join 700,000+ users worldwide, building client portals, internal tools, CRMs, dashboards, project management systems, inventory management apps, and more—all without code.
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