Tableau vs. Google Data Studio: Which is Better?
Data visualization helps businesses curate data into a form that is easier to understand. It highlights the trends and outliers. That is why using effective data visualization tools is necessary for its success.
Two of the most popular data visualization tools are Tableau and Google Data Studio. Today, let us share with you the details about each data visualization tool to help you pick which tool is best for your business.
What is Tableau?
Tableau is a popular data visualization tool that focuses on using data analytics to help you create visualizations that work for your business. It helps you gain insights on important business data such as dynamics and trends. With Tableau, you can organize your data systems by file formats, relational and non-relational data systems, and cloud systems.
What is Google Data Studio?
Google Data Studio or GDS is a web-based reporting and visualization tool that businesses can use to create visuals for their data. This tool makes it easy for your business to access data through data connectors. One key feature of Google Data Studio is that it promotes collaboration. It allows other team members to work simultaneously to create and edit data visualizations.
Which is better: Tableau or GDS?
Each visual data program has its own advantages and disadvantages. You have to figure out which one is best for your business depending on your needs. Here are a few points to consider when deciding which data visualization tool to choose.
Ease of Use
When you are considering which program to use, you need to think of the complexity and technicality of each tool based on your knowledge and expertise.
Google Data Studio is easy to pick up and use. Even users who are not familiar with the tool will find themselves navigating their way through the platform easily. It has an intuitive interface that makes getting data into your dashboards simple.
On the other hand, Tableau is a little more complicated than Google Data Studio. It requires some training, especially for advanced features like calculations and data blending. Beginners can still get started by themselves if they're willing to spend some time practicing.
2. Types of visualization
To figure out the right data visualization tool for you, first consider what types of visuals you need to make.
Tableau offers a wider range of visualization types and more options for customizing them. It gives you access to some fancier types of graphs, and you have the option of customizing them in much greater detail using its advanced table calculations feature. On the other hand, Data Studio focuses on the basic visualizations, like pie and bar charts.
If you want to do a simpler visualization, Google Data Studio is a great option. However, if you need a tool for more complicated visualizations, Tableau is what you need.
3. Integration Capabilities
Because there are various moving parts to your digital marketing plan, it is best to create the most streamlined process possible for your business to help make it easier. You need to consider how you are connecting your campaign.
Tableau supports file-based connections such as text and PDF documents. Although Tableau provides an extensive connection to data connectors and databases, its integration with Google products is limited. Third-party tools are required to access some Google products such as AdWords, Attribution, and YouTube Analytics. Google Data Studio, however, is more flexible and enables you to connect to programs like YouTube Analytics and AdWords. It offers direct connections to Google platforms and databases.
4. Price
You need to consider your budget and how much you can spend on a data visualization tool.
Tableau has numerous pricing packages depending upon which version you use. Although there is a Tableau Public which is free, it has limited functionalities. The pricing packages range from $15-$70 per month. Google Data Studio is free. And if you already use Google Analytics, you already have access to this tool. If your budget is tight, Google Data Studio makes it a more cost-effective option for your business.
