Backend Development
December 30, 2025
11
min

QlikView vs Qlik Sense: Which is the Better Tool for You?

Prasoon Verma

Key Takeaways

  • INSIA  is an AI-powered business intelligence platform designed to help organizations access actionable insights quickly, without relying on complex technical setups.
  • INSIA empowers small teams with quick, actionable insights without heavy IT support or a steep learning curve.
  • QlikView is a strong solution for large-scale data exploration and interactive dashboards, offering in-depth data visualization.
  • Qlik Sense provides more flexibility for complex data analysis, with features tailored for self-service and advanced analytics.
  • Unlike QlikView and Qlik Sense, INSIA enables no-code dashboards, predictive insights, and automated reporting, allowing faster decision-making.
  • Choosing between INSIA, QlikView, and Qlik Sense depends on your team’s technical capabilities, business size, and data needs.

QlikView vs Qlik Sense: Which is the Better Tool for You?

QlikView and Qlik Sense both offer powerful business intelligence capabilities, but neither completely removes the complexity SMBs face when trying to access insights quickly and consistently.

For growing teams, fast access to actionable insights and tools that scale without friction is essential for making confident, day-to-day decisions.

With multiple business intelligence tools within the Qlik ecosystem, it can be challenging to determine which platform truly fits your team’s workflow, technical comfort level, and long-term growth plans.

This guide breaks down QlikView vs Qlik Sense side by side, highlighting their key differences, strengths, and features to help you choose the right BI tool for your business.

QlikView vs Qlik Sense: At a Glance Comparison for SMBs and Growing Teams

QlikView vs Qlik Sense: Key Criteria Comparison
Criteria QlikView Qlik Sense
SMB Friendliness Though feature-rich, it may not be the most SMB-friendly option. More user-friendly, but still requires some technical know-how.
IT Dependency / Self-Service Capability Heavy IT reliance limits agility and delays insights. Better self-service, but complex setups often need IT support.
Scalability for Growth Scales well technically, but on-premise deployment makes user onboarding harder. Easier user scaling via cloud architecture, with performance optimized through setup.
Data Accuracy & Reliability Strong data control, but complex models can introduce errors. Strong governance with greater flexibility for modern self-service analytics.
Collaboration & Team Efficiency Collaboration exists, but workflows can feel clunky for fast-moving teams. Smoother real-time collaboration, though it may overwhelm smaller teams.
Data Democratization Restricted access can slow decision-making across teams. Broader access, but less technical users may feel overwhelmed.
Total Cost of Ownership Higher costs driven by dependencies and longer setup cycles. Lower upfront cost, but expenses can rise with scale and complexity.
Mobile & Remote Access Mobile access exists, but is not optimized for SMB workflows. Mobile-friendly experience, though some advanced features are limited.

Ready for a Simpler BI Experience? Try INSIA

Say goodbye to the complexity of traditional BI tools. INSIA offers an intuitive, no-code solution that allows SMBs to access actionable insights quickly, without the need for IT support.

Book a Demo Now!

INSIA vs QlikView vs Qlik Sense Features: How Do They Compare?

Let’s dive into the QlikView vs Qlik Sense comparison alongside INSIA to understand how each tool performs in real-world scenarios, empowering SMBs with the right features for data-driven decisions.

Simplicity

Small teams need tools that are easy to use and deliver fast insights. Considering the limitations of QlikView and Qlik Sense, simplicity can lead to faster decision-making and allow your team to focus more on business growth.

INSIA vs QlikView vs Qlik Sense: Ease of Use & Adoption
Features INSIA QlikView Qlik Sense
Ease of Use Intuitive interface; start gaining insights in days. Powerful but can overwhelm new users initially. Cleaner UI, but still requires time to master.
Teams’ Ability to Self-Serve No-code, drag-and-drop dashboards for effortless use. Often requires IT support for new or complex requests. Better self-service, but some setups frustrate users.
Learning Curve & Training Quick learning curve, ideal for non-technical users. Steep learning curve with lengthy initial training. Moderate learning effort; some training is needed.
Dependence on IT / Analysts Empowers business users to manage data and dashboards independently. High IT involvement slows insight delivery. Reduced IT reliance, but complex use cases need support.
Guided Analytics & Insight Suggestions AI-driven suggestions and automatic KPI generation for faster insights. Manual effort dominates; lacks augmented intelligence features. Offers insight suggestions, but not always timely or clear.

Plug & Play

For small and growing teams, speed is everything. Quick setup means less downtime and faster access to insights, ensuring businesses stay agile without relying on IT or navigating complex configurations.

INSIA vs QlikView vs Qlik Sense: Ease of Use & Adoption
Features INSIA QlikView Qlik Sense
Ease of Use Intuitive interface; start gaining insights in days. Powerful but can overwhelm new users initially. Cleaner UI, but still requires time to master.
Teams’ Ability to Self-Serve No-code, drag-and-drop dashboards for effortless use. Often requires IT support for new or complex requests. Better self-service, but some setups frustrate users.
Learning Curve & Training Quick learning curve, ideal for non-technical users. Steep learning curve with lengthy initial training. Moderate learning effort; some training is needed.
Dependence on IT / Analysts Empowers business users to manage data and dashboards independently. High IT involvement slows insight delivery. Reduced IT reliance, but complex use cases need support.
Guided Analytics & Insight Suggestions AI-driven suggestions and automatic KPI generation for faster insights. Manual effort dominates; lacks augmented intelligence features. Offers insight suggestions, but not always timely or clear.

Benchmark Analysis

Benchmarking helps SMBs measure progress clearly and adjust quickly. Real-time comparisons keep teams aligned and proactive, essential for fast-paced growth.

INSIA vs QlikView vs Qlik Sense: KPI Comparison & Alerts
Features INSIA QlikView Qlik Sense
Ease of Comparing KPIs Easily compare multiple KPIs and periods in a single view. Requires manual configuration, making comparisons slower. Good comparison options, but complex for casual users.
Real-Time Benchmark Tracking AI-powered real-time KPIs with proactive performance suggestions. Often batch-processed, causing delays in insight refresh. Near real-time updates, but can lag under heavy workloads.
Flexibility in Defining Custom Metrics Define custom KPIs and metrics easily with no code required. Powerful, but usually needs analyst involvement. Flexible, though it takes time to design and implement.
Alerts on Performance Changes Set up alerts for any KPI or metric automatically. Basic alerting often misses nuanced performance signals. Alert options exist, but setup can be challenging.

Data Visualization & Integration

Effective visualization and seamless data integration turn scattered numbers into clear stories. This empowers SMB teams to make informed decisions quickly and confidently.

INSIA vs QlikView vs Qlik Sense: Dashboards & Data Capabilities
Features INSIA QlikView Qlik Sense
Interactive Dashboards Real-time, customizable dashboards that deliver actionable insights. Rich features, but customization requires time and assistance. Flexible, but setup can be complex for non-experts.
Pre-Built Templates Templates designed for SMB goals and use cases. Limited templates; often require custom builds. More templates available, but still need tailoring.
Data Exploration Freedom Easy drag-and-drop exploration without IT assistance. Powerful associative model with a steep learning curve. Supports freeform exploration, but less intuitive initially.
Microsoft Ecosystem Integration Seamless integration across the entire Microsoft stack. Integration is possible, but requires configuration effort. Good integration, though some manual steps are needed.
Third-Party Connectors 50+ plug-and-play connectors for fast integrations. Limited variety; customization is often required. Growing connector library, but setup can be technical.
Unified Reporting Across Systems Single unified view combining all enterprise data quickly. Possible, but manual data handling is often needed. Integration supported, but data unification can lag.
Data Preparation Speed Automated ETL with AI-driven data cleanup. Detailed data preparation, but time-consuming. Efficient tools available, but training is required.

Analytics Capabilities

Strong analytics turn data into confident decisions. SMBs need tools that deliver smart insights quickly without requiring specialists or a long setup.

INSIA vs QlikView vs Qlik Sense: AI & Advanced Analytics
Features INSIA QlikView Qlik Sense
Built-in AI Insights AI-generated insights that are easy for non-technical users to act on. AI features exist, but require expert setup. AI tools are available, but complex for casual users.
Predictive Analytics & Forecasting Uses real-time intelligence to forecast trends. Advanced capabilities, but analyst involvement is needed. Strong tools, though the learning curve limits adoption.
Natural Language Queries Ask questions in plain English and get instant answers. Not supported natively. Available, but limited in scope and ease of use.
Scenario Planning for Growth Simulates outcomes to help plan and scale business growth. Possible, but time-intensive and expert-driven. Feature-rich, but difficult for SMB users without training.
No-Code Advanced Analytics Perform deep analytics without writing any code. Typically requires scripting or complex data modeling. Some no-code options exist, but are limited without training.
Instant KPI Alerts Real-time alerts delivered across multiple channels. Basic alerting with manual configuration. Alerts are available, but setup requires effort.
AI-Powered Decision Recommendations Actionable AI-driven recommendations for smarter decisions. Limited automation; insights need manual interpretation. Emerging capabilities, but not yet SMB-friendly.

Governance and Security

Clear governance and strong security protect business data while enabling easy access to the right people. For SMBs, it’s about balancing control with speed and usability.

INSIA vs QlikView vs Qlik Sense: Access & Governance
Features INSIA QlikView Qlik Sense
Access Control & Compliance Ease Role-specific permissions fully aligned with global security standards. Robust, but often requires IT setup. Flexible controls, but can be complex to manage.
Data Protection & Audit Transparency End-to-end encryption with real-time activity logs. Strong protections, but auditing setups require expertise. Good transparency, though some manual configuration is needed.
User & Team Management Simplicity Centralized dashboard with automated team rule application. Manual user handling slows onboarding. Efficient, but requires admin training.
Secure Sharing with External Stakeholders Secure, time-limited external access. Sharing is possible, but typically IT-dependent. Secure sharing available, but setup can be cumbersome.
Admin Governance & Oversight Tools Simple admin console for easy governance oversight. Powerful tools, but steep learning curve. Flexible admin features, requiring time to master.

Total Cost of Ownership

For SMBs, every dollar counts. Understanding true costs, including setup, ongoing support, and scaling, ensures BI investments drive real business value without surprise expenses.

INSIA vs QlikView vs Qlik Sense: Licensing, Costs & ROI
Features INSIA QlikView Qlik Sense
Licensing Costs & Affordability Straightforward, SMB-friendly pricing for easy adoption. Higher license fees plus hidden IT costs. Lower entry cost but rising expenses with scale.
Upfront Investment / Entry Cost Low upfront costs to get started quickly. Significant initial investment and setup. Moderate upfront cost, with gradual increases.
Infrastructure Requirements Cloud-based, no hardware requirements, reducing costs. Often requires on-prem or complex cloud setup. Flexible, but setup can be lengthy and technical.
Maintenance & Support Overhead Minimal maintenance with full support provided. High IT involvement is needed for updates and fixes. Moderate support load; some IT dependency.
Predictable Scaling & Cost Growth Scales with usage-based pricing, avoiding unexpected costs. Unpredictable costs due to complex licensing tiers. Scales, but may require costly licenses or services.
Time to Actionable Insights (ROI) Fast insights for quicker decision-making. Weeks to months delay the ROI. Faster than QlikView but slower than INSIA.

Simplify Your BI with INSIA

Move beyond the complexity of QlikView and Qlik Sense. INSIA unifies your data, delivers real-time AI-driven insights, and empowers your team to make smarter decisions, without the IT hassle or high costs.

Get in Touch Today to Learn More!

Is QlikView the Right BI Tool for Your Business? Pros & Cons Explained

QlikView is a mature analytics platform offering deep insights and strong data control, but its complexity may slow down SMBs looking for quick, easy-to-use solutions.

Platform Upsides vs Drawbacks
Upsides Drawbacks
Delivers detailed, customizable business insights A steep learning curve can delay team adoption
Strong data governance enhances accuracy High dependence on IT for setup and updates
Scales well with growing data volumes Setup and maintenance often require significant time
Established platform with proven reliability Higher upfront costs and ongoing expenses
Supports complex data relationships and modeling Collaboration tools can feel clunky for SMB workflows

Should You Choose Qlik Sense? Pros & Cons Explained for Your Business

Qlik Sense offers a more approachable analytics experience for SMBs while balancing flexibility, though its setup complexity and occasional IT dependence can slow progress.

Platform Upsides vs Drawbacks
Upsides Drawbacks
Easier to use with a modern, clean interface Still requires some technical knowledge to adhere to best practices.
Better self-service capabilities empower teams Setup can be time-consuming for complex needs
Scales smoothly with growing user bases Performance may drop with very large data sets
Real-time collaboration supports faster decisions Some advanced features need IT or specialist help
More affordable entry-level compared to QlikView Customization options are less deep than QlikView

Still Deciding Between QlikView and Qlik Sense? Discover a Simpler Alternative.

Tired of struggling with complex BI tools and lengthy setups? See how growing teams are using INSIA to streamline reporting, reduce dependency on IT, and make faster, data-driven decisions.

See How INSIA Transformed Other SMBs

How Can INSIA Empower Your Team?

In the QlikView vs Qlik Sense debate, INSIA offers a simpler alternative for SMBs. This AI-powered decision intelligence platform streamlines data analysis, providing real-time insights and seamless integration with your systems. With INSIA, your team can make quick, confident decisions without the need for complex technical setups or relying on IT. It simplifies analytics, letting you focus on driving growth and achieving results.

INSIA Features & How They Help SMBs
Features How It Helps SMBs
Fast Insights Delivery Access actionable answers in hours, not weeks, leveraging a full range of analytics.
User-Friendly Experience Empowers all teams to explore data independently.
AI-Guided Decision Support Provides smart recommendations to boost outcomes.
Seamless Integration Connects easily with tools SMBs already use.
Flexible Scaling Grows with your business without surprise costs.
Low IT Dependency Reduces reliance on technical specialists.
Push AI Pushes proactive insights and recommendations directly to teams, ensuring timely actions.

INSIA: The Smarter BI Choice for Growing Teams

INSIA offers powerful BI features without the complexity of other tools. Simplify data analysis, accelerate decision-making, and reduce IT reliance.

Contact Us Now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tool is easier for non-technical SMB teams to use?

Qlik Sense is generally more user-friendly with a cleaner interface, supporting self-service analytics. However, INSIA offers an even simpler, no-code solution, making it ideal for non-technical users.

How quickly can my SMB get up and running with either tool?

Qlik Sense offers a quicker setup compared to QlikView, but both may take several days to weeks, depending on complexity. INSIA, however, allows SMBs to start exploring insights within hours with minimal setup.

 What level of IT support do these tools require?

QlikView requires extensive IT involvement for deployment and updates. Qlik Sense reduces this, but still needs IT for complex tasks. INSIA minimizes IT dependency with an intuitive, self-service platform that adapts to different screen sizes and form factors for SMBs.

How do the costs compare for SMBs?

QlikView often involves higher licensing fees and hidden costs linked to IT and maintenance, similar to Android's customisation challenges. Qlik Sense starts with a lower entry cost, but expenses can rise as you scale. Both require budgeting beyond software licenses.

Can these tools scale as my business grows?

Both platforms technically scale well with growing data and users. However, onboarding and performance management may become cumbersome, particularly for SMBs with limited tech teams needing fast response times.

Which tool enables faster decision-making for SMBs?

Qlik Sense has an intuitive design, speeding up data exploration. However, INSIA simplifies decision-making even further with real-time AI-driven insights and no technical setup, allowing SMBs to act faster and more confidently.

Do these platforms support mobile and remote access?

Qlik Sense supports real-time collaboration, but INSIA enhances collaboration further by offering easy dashboard sharing and collaborative features that require no technical expertise, boosting team efficiency.

How well do these tools support collaboration within SMB teams?

Qlik Sense provides smoother, real-time collaboration features suitable for small to mid-sized teams. QlikView supports collaboration but with less agility, which can challenge SMBs needing faster, shared insights.

Is it easy to integrate these tools with other SMB software?

Qlik Sense has more ready-to-use connectors for common SMB apps, simplifying integration. QlikView requires more customization and IT effort, which might delay integration and limit quick wins.

Are there smarter, simpler alternatives for SMBs than QlikView or Qlik Sense?

Yes, platforms like INSIA offer AI-powered, easy-to-use decision intelligence with faster setup, lower IT needs, and guided insights, ideal for SMBs looking to move beyond traditional BI tool complexity.

Can you migrate dashboards from QlikView to Qlik Sense easily?

Migrating dashboards from QlikView to Qlik Sense is possible but may require adjustments to the layout, especially for prepared business applications. While Qlik provides tools to assist, some reconfiguration of visualizations, scripts, and features might be necessary to ensure compatibility and optimize performance in Qlik Sense.

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