Disclaimer: QlikView is no longer available for new clients. Instead, new users can purchase Qlik’s next-generation analytics solution, Qlik Sense.
QlikView and Qlik Sense are Qlik’s two popular products in the business intelligence software market. Both platforms are built on the same, patented framework: the Qlik Associative Engine, which offers powerful aggregation and on-the-go calculations that simplify data exploration.
If you’re not familiar with either BI tool, they can appear quite similar, making it difficult to decide which would be best for your organization. So, we’ve compared QlikView and Qlik Sense to highlight key functions and other pertinent factors that distinguish one solution from the other to help you make your purchasing decision.
Product Overviews
Here are excerpts from our full-fledged QlikView and Qlik Sense reviews:
QlikView – QlikView offers a Google-like search that functions in an associative manner, compiling results for the query as well as for data usually related to that query. For instance, if a business marketer needs a vendor’s contact details, but doesn’t have a name or company address, performing an indirect search based on the vendor’s specialty will result in supplemental data. In addition, QlikView has the ability to combine data sources. Important relationships and relevant data are highlighted in a given color with QlikView’s visuals, allowing for efficient and timely insights.
Qlik Sense – Qlik Sense has a search bar function that allows users to type in phrases and keywords to quickly locate reports, data sets, charts, graphs and more. It distinguishes itself from other BI tools through its unique drag-and-drop capabilities, which make it easy to create reports and access the dashboard without the need for complex queries. In addition, Qlik Sense lets users share several viewpoints at once when they’re assigning context to data. Storytelling options can also be used to access the initial analysis, so business marketers can quickly drill down into data to change viewpoints and answer queries.
How They Stack Up
Visualizations
QlikView: QlikView is primarily a guided analytics solution. It allows users to drill down into, analyze and navigate data to explore questions and answers based on what’s been built for them by an application developer. It’s ideal for business marketers who want prepared business apps for data analytics. The charts, layouts and data models are integrated, so users can focus on data drill down and navigation from the get-go.
Qlik Sense: Qlik Sense is more a self-service data discovery tool that gives corporate marketers the freedom to create their own applications and visualizations. It comes with a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for users to create interactive and flexible visualizations. Most users want a solution that doesn’t restrict them to templated charts. With Qlik Sense, they can create visuals that tell a story without worrying about all the design elements that a data analytics app developer would think about.
Bottom Line: Both QlikView and Qlik Sense make it easy to explore and visualize data. However, because of its drag-and-drop interface and self-service functionality, Qlik Sense is likely a better choice for most organizations who are new to Qlik. If the end user can jump in and work with the data (or enlist the help of a developer), QlikView and its guided analytics may be more appealing.
Customer Support
QlikView: QlikView offers two main levels of support: Basic and Enterprise. Basic customer support includes phone support during regular business hours, as well as a Knowledge Base, self-help guides, community forums, product updates, videos, webinars and training courses.
Enterprise-level customer support includes the above, plus:
- 24/7 coverage for critical issues (also known as Severity 1 issues)
- Coverage nine hours a day, seven days a week for less critical issues (Severity 2 and 3)
- Business-critical service-level agreements prioritized to certified engineers or specialists
- Custom product releases and upgrade recommendations based on the user’s needs
Qlik Sense: Qlik Sense also offers two-tiered customer service for Basic and Enterprise customers. Basic support is recommended for individuals or those with single-server installations. These customers have access to phone support during regular business hours, as well as online materials like the Knowledge Base, a self-help portal, forums, product updates, videos, webinars and training courses.
Like QlikView, Enterprise-level support includes the above features, plus:
- 24/7 coverage for Severity 1 issues
- Coverage nine hours a day, seven days a week for Severity 2 and 3 issues
- Case handling by specialists or certified engineers
- Release management, which offers recommendations on upgrades and product releases
Bottom Line: Both platforms offer Basic and Enterprise-level customer support tiers with similar features for each. Since all support is provided by the Qlik team, users can expect virtually the same level of support across both platforms. The primary decision is whether to choose the Basic or Enterprise level.
Pricing
QlikView: The QlikView platform can be purchased through a combination of user-based, server-based, document-based and application-based licensing.
- Personal Edition: Free, featuring unlimited access
- Enterprise Edition: Contact QlikView for pricing
Qlik Sense: Qlik Sense has two main editions. First, there’s the Qlik Sense Business edition that costs $30 per user, per month (billed annually). It includes many of Qlik Sense features in addition to up to 5 shared spaces and 1.25 GB in-memory app size limit.
Then, there’s the Qlik Sense Enterprise, a multi-cloud edition, that includes unlimited shared and managed spaces and in-memory app size limit starting at 5 GB. Pricing is no longer available for Qlik Sense Enterprise, so please contact the vendor directly for a quote.
Bottom Line: QlikView offers a free plan for basic needs, which allows users to test out the software before making a business or enterprise-level purchase.
Key Takeaways
QlikView and Qlik Sense have varying strengths and weaknesses that are common when comparing business intelligence solutions. While QlikView is ideal for guided analysis, it lacks responsiveness. Qlik Sense, on the other hand, is mostly drag-and-drop, which makes it easier for the non-developer to work with.
If your organization is starting fresh with business intelligence solutions, read our BI Definitive Guide. It offers a detailed overview of key features, market trends and everyday challenges.
And if you’re searching for alternatives, our exhaustive list of BI reviews is a good place to start.
Choosing a BI vendor is all about finding the right fit. Our exclusive report will walk you through the process and help you select the perfect solution.