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Top 5 ThoughtSpot Competitors & Alternatives in 2025

Jan 12, 2024

Ka Ling Wu

Co-Founder & CEO, Upsolve AI

Table of Contents

Searching for better ThoughtSpot competitors in 2025? You’re not the only one.

While ThoughtSpot promises AI-powered, no-code analytics, real users say:

“Visuals are rigid. You can’t even resize charts.”
“Feels half-baked—steep setup, limited customizations.”
“Too expensive for what it delivers.”


rediit user talking about thoughtspot issues

If that sounds familiar, this guide will help.

I tested 5 solid ThoughtSpot alternatives—like Upsolve.ai, Looker, Tableau, Sigma, and Sisense—to see which tools actually deliver on usability, flexibility, and value.

Here’s what you’ll get:

  • Quick comparison of features, pricing, and ease of use

  • Which tools work best for startups, enterprise teams, or embedded analytics

  • A 30-second comparison table before we dive deeper

Let’s break it down.

Comparison Table: ThoughtSpot vs Competitors

When comparing ThoughtSpot with its competitors, you probably want to know which tool best meets your needs. 

Here’s a comparison table between ThoughtSpot Competitors to help you quickly compare key metrics like features, pricing, scalability, and ease of use. 

Metric

ThoughtSpot

Upsolve.ai

Looker

Tableau

Sisense

Sigma

Features

AI-powered analytics, search-based dashboards

AI-generated dashboards, customizable templates

Advanced data exploration, LookML

Interactive visuals, real-time updates

Big data handling, customizable dashboards

Spreadsheet-like interface, real-time data

Pricing

Custom (enterprise-focused)

Starting at $300/month

Custom pricing (enterprise-focused)

Starts at $15/user/month

Custom (enterprise-focused)

Custom (cloud-focused)

Scalability

Great for enterprises

Ideal for startups and enterprises

Scales well for mid-to-large teams

Scales with business size

Excellent for big data scalability

Flexible for cloud-based teams

Ease of Use

Moderate (requires some technical skills)

Very easy, no technical skills needed

Moderate (requires LookML learning)

Beginner-friendly but can get complex

Moderate setup required

Extremely easy for non-technical users

Why Consider ThoughtSpot Alternatives

Here are the five key limitations of ThoughtSpot and why you might want to consider alternatives:

Reason #1: Need a Bit of Learning

ThroughSpot Learning Curve Limitation

ThoughtSpot can feel overwhelming, especially if you're new to analytics tools.

  • You need technical skills to properly set up queries or configure data connections.

  • Even though it’s AI-powered, some features require analytical know-how to use effectively.

  • For example, crafting detailed queries can pull incorrect parameters if you don’t know how to structure them.

Reason #2: Limited Customization Options

ThroughSpot Limited Customization Limitation

ThoughtSpot doesn’t offer much flexibility when it comes to customizing dashboards.

  • Want to use your brand’s colors or tweak visualizations? You’re out of luck.

  • Customizing tables or charts often involves complex backend adjustments, making it harder for non-technical users.

Reason #3: Poor UI/UX Design

The user interface can feel clunky and unintuitive.

  • Adding a simple column or changing database connections can be a lengthy process.

  • Many users report that visualizations lack interactivity, like zooming in on charts for detailed insights.

Reason #4: High Pricing for Smaller Businesses

ThoughtSpot’s pricing might not suit startups or mid-sized businesses.

  • The cost scales quickly and some features are locked behind higher pricing tiers.

  • For smaller teams, this can make the tool feel like a heavy investment without a proportionate return.

Reason #5: Limited Integration Capabilities

ThroughSpot Limited Integration Limitation

If your business relies on diverse tools, ThoughtSpot might not integrate seamlessly with all of them.

  • It supports only a limited number of third-party applications.

  • This makes it hard to unify data workflows or extend its functionality with other tools.

Best ThoughtSpot Competitors and Alternatives

Here are the best hand-picked ThroughSpot Alternatives that you need to consider:

  1. Upsolve.ai

  2. Looker

  3. Tableau

  4. Sisense

  5. Sigma


1. Upsolve.ai – Perfect for Quick, Custom Dashboards

Upsolve.ai Best AI-Powered Embedded Analytics Tool best thoghtspot alternative

Upsolve.ai keeps embedded analytics simple—no code, no extra setup, just dashboards that work.

It’s a go-to ThoughtSpot competitor for teams who want to give customers clear, in-product insights without building everything from scratch.

Whether you’re early-stage or growing fast, Upsolve helps you get analytics live without slowing down your roadmap.

Key Features of Upsolve.ai

  • Easy Dashboard Creation
    Create dashboards quickly using a simple point-and-click interface and ready-made templates—no technical skills needed.


  • Smooth Data Integration
    Easily connect to popular databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Snowflake using built-in connectors or APIs.


  • User-Friendly Customization
    End users can adjust charts, filters, and layouts themselves—no dev support required.


  • Clear, Interactive Insights
    Explore data with interactive dashboards that help users dig into trends and details on their own.


  • Reliable Performance at Scale
    Handles large datasets with fast load times, great for growing teams and customer-facing use.

Pros and Cons of Upsolve.ai

Pros:

Upsolve AI Pros
  • User-friendly design that’s great for beginners.

  • AI-powered dashboards that save time and effort.

  • Quick setup so you can launch in just one day!

Cons:

  • Advanced users may feel they need more customization options.

Upsolve AI Pricing

Upsolve.ai offers flexible pricing based on your needs:

  • Growth – $1,000/mo: 3+ templates, 50 tenants, React/iFrame embed, CSV/PDF export

  • Professional – $2,000+/mo: Unlimited templates, usage analytics, scheduled reports, AI, onboarding

  • Enterprise – Custom: SAML, on-prem, HIPAA-ready, 24/7 support, 2+ data connections


“We cut 3 months of dev time, saved thousands of lines of code, and launched embedded BI in under 30 days, with full Supabase security. Upsolve just worked.”
— David Cotten, CTO at Moonnox

👉 Read More


2. Looker – Best for Data Exploration and Customization

Looker Best Data Exploration and Customization Tool

Looker is a data platform that helps teams explore, analyze, and share business insights through customizable dashboards and reports.

It works well for companies that need flexible reporting and more control over how data is modeled and delivered.

Whether you're running a startup or a large enterprise, Looker lets you build and scale analytics that fit your business without adding complexity.

Key Features of Looker

  • Flexible Reporting
    Looker makes it easy to explore live data and build custom reports with LookML—no advanced skills needed.


  • Interactive Dashboards
    Use drag-and-drop widgets, drill into key metrics, and set up basic alerts.


  • Seamless Integrations
    Looker connects smoothly with BigQuery, Snowflake, Redshift, Salesforce, and HubSpot.


  • Built-In Product Analytics
    You can embed dashboards into your product, brand them to match, and scale as you grow, core needs for teams evaluating ThoughtSpot competitors.

Pros and Cons of Looker

Pros:

  • Advanced tools for data exploration and customization.

  • Interactive dashboards that are great for in-depth analysis.

  • Scalable solution for businesses of all sizes.

Cons:

  • Learning LookML can be challenging for non-technical users.

  • Pricing can feel steep for small teams or startups.

Looker Cons

Looker Pricing

Looker doesn’t list its pricing publicly, as it offers custom plans based on your organization’s needs. Generally, pricing depends on:

  • The number of users accessing the platform.

  • Features and integrations required.

  • Deployment options (cloud or on-premise).

To get an exact quote, you’ll need to contact Looker directly, but it’s typically known to go for mid-sized and large enterprises.

3. Tableau – Best for Interactive Visualizations

Tableau Best Interactive Visualization Tool

Tableau is a business intelligence platform known for turning raw data into interactive, easy-to-understand visual dashboards.

It’s widely used by teams of all sizes to explore data, track performance, and share insights across departments.

Users can connect to various data sources, build visual reports, and drill into trends without needing to write code.

Key Features of Tableau

  • More control over dashboards
    Tableau gives you full freedom to drag, drop, and customize layouts. With ThoughtSpot, you're often stuck with fixed sizes and limited formatting.


  • Real-Time Data Sync
    Connect to multiple sources and keep dashboards updated automatically—no manual refresh needed.


  • Flexible Deployment
    Works on cloud or on-prem. Accessible across web, desktop, and mobile without extra setup.


  • Simple Sharing and Collaboration
    Share dashboards via link, control who can interact, and embed visuals in decks or internal tools.

Pros and Cons of Tableau

Pros:

  • Beautiful, interactive visuals that make data easy to understand.

Tableau Pros
  • Flexible deployment options for different business needs.

  • Scales well for large datasets and teams.

Cons:

  • Higher cost compared to some competitors.

  • It can feel overwhelming for beginners with no analytics experience.

Tableau Pricing

Tableau offers several pricing tiers:

Tableau Best Interactive Visualization Tool
  • Creator: $75 per user/month (full access to features).

  • Explorer: $42 per user/month (limited to certain tools).

  • Viewer: $15 per user/month (view-only access).

Tableau also provides custom plans for enterprises with advanced needs.

4. Sisense – Best for Complex Data and Scalability

Sisense Best Complex Data and Scalability Tool

Sisense is a business intelligence platform often seen as a ThoughtSpot competitor, especially for companies that need to work with large datasets and build embedded dashboards.

It brings together data preparation, visualization, and reporting in one place, making it useful for both internal teams and customer-facing analytics.

If you're exploring alternatives to ThoughtSpot, Sisense offers the flexibility to build and scale analytics without relying on multiple tools.

Key Features of Sisense

  • Complete Analytics Setup
    Clean and organize data from multiple sources, then create dashboards you can embed directly into your product or internal systems.


  • Scalable and Flexible
    Handles large datasets without slowing down. You can deploy it on cloud, on-premise, or in a hybrid setup—whatever fits your infrastructure.


  • Works Well with Other Tools
    Connects to databases like Redshift, BigQuery, and SQL Server. Also supports custom integrations through APIs when needed.


  • Alerts and Reporting Automation
    Set up alerts for important metrics, send updates through email or Slack, and automate regular report sharing to keep your team informed.


A practical choice if you’re exploring ThoughtSpot competitors with more flexibility and stronger embedded options.

Pros and Cons of Sisense

Pros:

Sisense Pros
  • Handles complex and large datasets with ease.

  • Highly customizable for embedded analytics and branding.

  • Scalable for businesses of all sizes.

Cons:

Sisense Cons
  • The steeper learning curve for non-technical users.

  • Higher upfront costs for smaller businesses.

Sisense Pricing

Sisense offers custom pricing based on users, data sources, and deployment. Best suited for mid to large enterprises. Contact their team for a quote.

5. Sigma – Best for Spreadsheet-Like Data Analysis

Sigma Best Spreadsheet-Like Data Analysis Tool

Sigma is a cloud-based analytics platform that blends the familiarity of spreadsheets with the scale and speed of a modern data warehouse.

It’s designed for teams that are comfortable in Excel but need more flexibility to explore and share data, without writing code.

If you're looking to move beyond static spreadsheets, Sigma makes it easy to collaborate, analyze data in real time, and work directly with live data sources.

Key Features of Sigma

  • Spreadsheet-Like Interface
    Build reports using tools that feel like Excel. Drag and drop data, apply formulas, and explore metrics without needing to learn something new.


  • Real-Time Collaboration
    Work on dashboards together in shared spaces. Add comments, suggest changes, and keep track of updates—all in one place.


  • Direct Cloud Access
    Connect directly to data in Snowflake, BigQuery, or Redshift. No need to export or move data, everything stays where it is.


  • Embedded Dashboards
    Add dashboards into your product or platform. Customize the look to match your brand and let customers interact with their own data.


Pros and Cons of Sigma

Pros:

Sigma Pros
  • Intuitive spreadsheet-like interface that’s easy to learn.

  • Real-time collaboration for team-based analytics.

  • Direct integration with leading cloud data warehouses.

Cons:

  • Limited offline capabilities for users who prefer desktop tools.

  • Fewer advanced visualization options compared to Tableau or Looker.

Sigma Pricing

Sigma offers custom pricing based on users, features, and data usage. Best for teams that want a spreadsheet-like tool with modern analytics. Contact sales for details.

Each tool offers unique strengths, making them great alternatives to ThoughtSpot, depending on your specific needs.

How to Choose the Right ThoughtSpot Competitor

So, how do you pick the best ThoughtSpot alternatives out of the top, hand-picked embedded analytics tool options?

Here’s a quick table to guide your decision to best ThoughtSpot competitor:

Factor

What to Look For

Why It Matters

Pricing

Affordable plans, custom pricing options

Helps you stay within budget while meeting your needs.

Ease of Use

Intuitive interface, no technical skills required

Saves time and reduces frustration for your team or customers.

Features

Customization, data integration, scalability

Ensures the tool fits your specific use case and grows with your business.

Support

Fast response, helpful documentation

Gives you peace of mind knowing you’ll get help when you need it.

By following these steps and considering these factors, you’ll be able to confidently choose a ThoughtSpot competitor that’s just right for your business.

Take your time, evaluate your options, and pick the one that ticks all your boxes!

Conclusion

Choosing the right ThoughtSpot competitor comes down to what your team really needs.

  • Upsolve.ai is great if you want simple, no-code dashboards your customers can use right away.

  • Looker and Sisense work well if you need more control and don’t mind a learning curve.

  • Tableau is best for polished visuals.

  • Sigma is a good fit for teams used to working in spreadsheets.

If you're looking for something easy to set up and easy to use, Upsolve.ai might be the right fit.

Want to see how it could work for your use case?

Grab a quick walkthrough—no pressure, just explore.

Here's my calender.

Choosing the right ThoughtSpot competitor will make your data easier to understand and help your business grow.

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Ready to Upsolve Your Product?

Unlock the full potential of your product's value today with Upsolve AI's embedded BI.

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By signing up, you agree to receive awesome emails and updates.

Ready to Upsolve Your Product?

Unlock the full potential of your product's value today with Upsolve AI's embedded BI.

Start Here

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By signing up, you agree to receive awesome emails and updates.