The Best Business Analytics Tools to Try in 2025

In today's fast-paced business environment, the ability to make data-driven decisions isn't just an advantage—it's essential for career advancement and organizational success. Organizations that effectively harness data analytics tools gain significant competitive advantages, enabling more nimble operational decisions while enhancing customer experiences. The impact is measurable: one recent analysis revealed that companies using advanced business analytics tools make decisions up to five times faster than their competitors.¹

For business professionals, mastering these tools has become a career differentiator. With advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, business intelligence and analytics tools have become more sophisticated than ever. At the same time, the offerings available are changing at a rapid pace. Read on to learn more about how you can transform and streamline your business with the best business analytics tools to try in 2025.

Understanding Business Analytics

Business analytics software options have shifted from basic spreadsheets to comprehensive platforms capable of processing massive datasets in real time. The best modern business analytics tools bridge the gap from complex data sources to actionable business strategies and decision-making. These platforms use raw data to create powerful visualizations and predictive models. This deeper understanding empowers decision-makers to make informed choices that drive organizational success.

Types of Business Analytics Tools

Business analytics tools fall into multiple categories to meet diverse operational needs. These include:

• Data visualization tools used to create charts and dashboards that can make complex information more accessible to a broad user base
• Data mining and statistical analysis software, which finds hidden patterns in large datasets
• Predictive analytics tools that forecast future trends and outcomes
• Business intelligence (BI) platforms that bring together data from multiple sources into a unified reporting system
• Reporting and dashboard tools that offer real-time performance monitoring
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning tools that help automate pattern recognition and create predictive insights

Top Business Analytics Tools in 2025

The following platforms represent the most innovative and widely used business analytics tools in 2025. Each solution has unique strengths and drawbacks. The best business analytics tool for you will depend on your organizational needs, resources, and circumstances.

Microsoft Power BI: User-Friendly Insights at Scale

Microsoft Power BI is a market-leading analytics platform that stands out for its intuitive interface and deep integration in the Microsoft ecosystem. The tool's 2025 updates include enhanced AI-powered functionality through the Copilot feature, which allows users to ask questions using natural language.²

Power BI's strength lies in its accessibility. Users can create sophisticated visualizations without needing deep technical expertise.

Tableau: Data Visualization for Every Industry

Tableau is often held up as the gold standard for data visualization. It has earned recognition as a Leader in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms for 13 consecutive years.³ The platform also continues to evolve with recent innovations, including new AI-powered agentic analytics.⁴ Tableau's VizQL technology lets you explore via simple drag-and-drop data tools. In addition, its semantic layer ensures data consistency across organizations.

Google Looker: Cloud-Native BI Platform for Modern Teams

Google Looker is a powerful cloud-native platform that offers features like Conversational Analytics, which lets users ask complex questions in natural language.⁵ Looker's LookML modeling layer offers consistent data definitions and the capacity to create eye-catching data visualizations. Also, its API-first architecture allows for frictionless integration with existing workflows.

Qlik Sense: Associative Data Model for Deeper Discovery

Qlik Sense stands out for its associative analytics engine. This powerful tool reveals hidden connections within data that traditional query-based software might miss. Qlik Sense lets users explore data freely in any direction.

Its 2025 enhancements include expanded AI capabilities and improved natural language processing. These capabilities have helped establish Qlik Sense as a leader in Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms for the 15th consecutive year.⁶

IBM Cognos Analytics: AI-Powered Decision Support

IBM Cognos Analytics uses AI-powered tools to create automated data insights and reports. The platform's AI assistant makes it easier to uncover patterns and anomalies automatically. In addition, its self-service capabilities let business users create their own reports and dashboards. Cognos Analytics is best suited for enterprise environments that require strong governance and security features.

SAS Business Intelligence: Advanced Analytics for Enterprises

SAS Business Intelligence offers comprehensive analytics capabilities for organizations that need sophisticated statistical analysis. This platform combines traditional BI features with advanced analytics tools that use machine learning and predictive modeling. SAS remains popular among enterprise businesses that require deep analytical capabilities and regulatory compliance features.

Domo: All-in-One Platform for Decision Makers

Domo offers a comprehensive cloud-based platform that combines data integration, visualization, and collaboration features. The platform's strength lies in its ability to connect hundreds of data sources. At the same time, it provides executive-level dashboards and mobile accessibility. Domo's real-time alerting capabilities ensure you can stay informed about critical, ongoing changes.

SAP BusinessObjects: Enterprise-Grade BI

SAP BusinessObjects offers robust enterprise-level analytics tools. These include deep integration into SAP's broader ecosystem. The platform is particularly good at financial reporting and regulatory compliance. That makes it popular among large organizations with complex reporting requirements.

Zoho Analytics: Affordable BI for Small Businesses

Zoho Analytics offers affordable analytics solutions for small and mid-sized businesses. The platform offers essential BI capabilities including data visualization, reporting, and basic predictive analytics. Its integration with other Zoho products creates a comprehensive business management ecosystem.

Sisense: Embedded Analytics and White-Label Dashboards

Sisense specializes in embedded analytics. This tool helps organizations integrate analytical capabilities directly into their applications and products. Sisense's main advantage is its white-label dashboard, which lets customers take advantage of its analytics features without sacrificing brand consistency.

Master the Tools That Drive Your Career Forward

Understanding business analytics tools is just the beginning. The real competitive advantage comes from knowing how to choose the right solutions for your business goals and transform data insights into confident, strategic decisions. As analytics continue to reshape every industry, professionals who can bridge the gap between technical capabilities and business strategy are poised to become invaluable leaders.

The Online Master of Science in Business Analytics program from the Leavey School of Business is designed specifically for this challenge. It goes beyond teaching you how to use tools like Python, R, SQL, and machine learning platforms—it develops the strategic thinking and business acumen that transform technical skills into career advancement. Through hands-on experience solving real business challenges and an innovation-focused curriculum shaped by Silicon Valley's data-driven culture, you'll master both the analytics tools and the leadership mindset that today's organizations demand.

The accelerated 15-month format helps you build these capabilities while maintaining your current position, and the program's strong industry connections provide access to the same caliber of professionals working at companies like Google, Apple, and LinkedIn. U.S. News & World Report ranks data science as both the #4 Best Technology Job and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics names it among the top fastest-growing occupations, so the timing couldn't be better to advance your expertise.^7,8

Transform your career with the analytics skills that matter most. Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to explore how Santa Clara's Online MSBA program aligns with your professional goals, and to walk through the application process.