...

How Much Does Microsoft Power BI Cost: Prices and Teams Costs

power bi calculating costs

In today’s data-driven world, understanding and leveraging business intelligence tools is crucial for organizational growth and efficiency. Among the plethora of tools available, Microsoft Power BI stands out as a leader in the realm of business analytics. This versatile tool allows users, regardless of their technical expertise, to analyze and visualize their data comprehensively. But what exactly is Power BI, and how can it fit into your organization’s budget and analytical needs? In this article, we’ll demystify Microsoft Power BI – starting from its fundamental aspects to the various pricing plans, ensuring you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business objectives and financial constraints. Let’s embark on this insightful journey into the world of Power BI, a tool that promises to revolutionize your data handling and business intelligence capabilities.

1. What is Microsoft Power BI?

Microsoft Power BI is a groundbreaking business analytics tool that provides interactive visualizations with self-service business intelligence capabilities. This potent application allows end users to create reports and dashboards without any involvement from IT or database professionals, making data analysis accessible to everyone.

The cost of Power BI varies based on the selected version and your organization’s requirements. In this article, we’ll explore the various pricing options available for Power BI, your ideal data analysis solution. Please note that all prices listed here are accurate as of February 2025.

2. Power BI Pricing Overview

Microsoft’s Power BI is available in seven distinct versions: Free, Pro, Premium Per User, Embedded, Premium Per Capacity, Fabric, and Desktop, each designed to meet different organizational needs and scales. Here’s a closer look at what each version offers.

  • Power BI Free: It is a user-based license with no monthly cost. Users can only create and view content in their personal “My Workspace,” with no ability to share or collaborate (unless the content is in Fabric capacity). It has basic visualization capabilities but does not allow consumption of content outside the user’s own workspace, except for apps hosted in Fabric capacity.
  • Power BI Pro: It is a user-based license costing $10 per user/month. It allows unlimited creation, sharing, and consumption of Power BI content, typically with a 1 GB dataset limit per report. Pro is required for collaboration, publishing to workspaces, and enabling others to view shared content in the Power BI cloud service.
  • Power BI Premium Per User: Power Bi premium pricing is a user-based license costing $20 per user/month (or an additional $10 for users who already have Pro or M365 E5). It includes all Pro features plus advanced AI, higher refresh rates (up to 48/day), and larger model sizes (up to 100 GB). Premium Per User-licensed content can only be shared with others who also have Premium Per User, unless hosted on a Fabric capacity.
  • Power BI Embedded: It can be licensed by capacity starting at $735+/month or by user at $20 per user/month. It is designed for ISVs or developers to embed analytics into custom applications, typically using Azure A SKUs billed hourly. The capacity-based option supports “app owns data” scenarios, while user-based follows similar constraints to Premium Per User.
  • Power BI Premium Per Capacity: This is a capacity-based license with price depending on the capacity size (e.g., P1, P2, etc.), which can handle large model sizes (up to 400 GB) and high refresh frequencies. It allows content consumption by any user (internal or external) without requiring a per-user Power BI license, but a Pro license is still needed for those who publish content. These SKUs are being replaced by Microsoft Fabric SKUs at the time of renewal, with end of sales for new customers starting Jan 1, 2025.
  • Microsoft Fabric: This is a capacity-based license with a shared pool of compute (capacity units) and separate pay-as-you-go storage in OneLake. It unifies multiple analytics workloads (Power BI, Data Factory, Data Warehouse, Data Science, etc.) under one platform, and can handle large datasets (up to 400 GB) per model. Prices vary by capacity size and region, with both monthly pay-as-you-go and 1-year reservation options available.
  • Power BI Desktop: It is a free application installed locally, with no license required to create reports. Users can share the resulting PBIX files directly, but to publish to the Power BI cloud service, they need either Pro or Premium Per User (or a workspace in Fabric/Premium capacity). Desktop is the primary authoring tool for building Power BI reports offline.

The official Power BI pricing can be checked on their website as of 28.01.2025. TTMS, as a Microsoft partner, may offer different rates. This overview helps clarify the differences between the Power BI versions, aiding in choosing the most suitable plan for your company’s requirements.

power bi software

4. Power BI License Cost

Navigating Power BI fees for different software can feel like a Herculean task, especially with high-performing tools like Microsoft’s Power BI. To make it more straightforward, let’s break down the cost structure into digestible chunks, highlighting each version—Power BI Desktop, Power BI Free, Power BI Pro, Power BI Premium Per User, Power BI Embedded, Power BI Premium Per Capacity, and Microsoft Fabric.

Microsoft Power BI Price for Desktop Version

Allow me to kick off with one of the most widely used editions—Power BI Desktop. You’ll be relieved to know that this locally installed tool costs absolutely nothing—no monthly fee, no hidden charges. It’s a perfect starting point for data modeling and visualization, though you’ll need a paid license (Pro or above) if you want to publish content to Power BI cloud workspaces for collaboration.

Power BI Costs for Embedded Version

Designed primarily for developers and ISVs, Power BI Embedded provides analytics via apps or websites. You can license it by capacity (starting around $735/month for Azure A SKUs) or by user (often $20 per user/month for embedded “premium” features). Embedded SKUs are typically used in “app owns data” scenarios, letting you deliver branded analytics experiences without requiring each end user to have an individual Power BI license.

Cost of Power BI Premium Per Capacity

For enterprises wanting wide distribution to many users—internal or external—Power BI Premium Per Capacity offers an organizational-level subscription. Historically, pricing started at around $4,995 per month for a P1 SKU (though exact costs can vary), enabling unlimited content consumption without per-user fees (Pro licenses are still required for content creators). Microsoft is currently transitioning these SKUs to Microsoft Fabric at renewal, but Premium Per Capacity remains available until its slated retirement deadlines.

Cost of Microsoft Fabric

Last but certainly not least, Microsoft Fabric brings together Power BI plus multiple other analytics workloads (Data Factory, Data Warehouse, Data Engineering, Data Science, Real-Time Analytics) under one unified platform. You purchase it by capacity units—prices start around $262.80 per month for the smallest F2 capacity (pay-as-you-go in a given region) and scale upward to extremely high CUs for enterprise needs. This approach lets you run all analytics workloads on a shared pool of compute, paired with OneLake storage (billed separately per GB/month), so you get a single, end-to-end environment for your entire data estate.

5. Which Power BI Pricing Plan to Choose?

When it comes down to selecting the most suitable Microsoft Power BI pricing plan, certain key factors come into play. Bluntly speaking, there is no universal “best choice” that applies to all users or business scenarios. However, understanding your specific needs and application scope will facilitate making an informed decision.
Here are a couple of pointers that might lead you to the right Power BI plan:

Scale of Operation

Your scale of operation is a key factor when deciding among Free, Pro, Premium Per User, Premium Per Capacity, or Microsoft Fabric. If you’re an individual needing basic self-service analytics and personal data visualizations, the Free plan typically suffices. However, small teams wanting to collaborate should opt for Pro (USD $10 per user/month), which supports sharing and co-authoring—capabilities not available in the Free version.

For larger enterprises with hundreds or thousands of users, consider either Premium Per User (USD $20 per user/month, or $10 if you’re stepping up from Pro or Office/Microsoft 365 E5) or a capacity-based license. Historically, Power BI Premium Per Capacity started at $4,995 per month for the P1 SKU, but Microsoft is transitioning these older “P” SKUs to Microsoft Fabric. Fabric’s “F” capacities begin at a lower monthly cost (e.g., around $262.80/month for F2 pay-as-you-go) and combine multiple analytics workloads in one unified platform, making it an excellent choice for large-scale reporting and advanced analytics.

Financial Constraints

Naturally, budget is a major factor in determining which Power BI plan aligns best with your needs. If cost is less of an issue and advanced analytics (like larger model capacity or AI-driven features) are a priority, consider either Premium Per User ($20/user/month, or $10 if stepping up from Pro or M365 E5) or a capacity-based option like Microsoft Fabric—the modern successor to older Premium capacities. On the other hand, if you’re watching expenses but still need robust collaboration for a small team, Power BI Pro ($10/user/month) often strikes the right balance.

Finally, regardless of whether you’re an individual data enthusiast or an enterprise with large-scale analytics demands, there’s a Power BI plan that can address your needs. In the next segment, we’ll explore how TTMS can help you optimize Microsoft Power BI costs.

Power Bi charts

6. Summary

Navigating through all the offerings in Microsoft Power BI’s cost framework can seem intricate. However, once you understand the basic principles of their offerings and learn to align your specific needs, it becomes a far less daunting task.

It starts by grasping the essence of each variant: The Desktop version that entices us with no cost is a fantastic starting point for individual users. On the other hand, it limits collaboration – which then gets covered by the Pro version – making team data sharing and collaborating on reports effortless yet for a monthly fee.

The Premium version caters to larger enterprises seeking more extensive resources and control over their business intelligence operations. It’s pricey but justifiable for businesses needing vast amounts of data processed.

Making an informed decision about which plan works best will considerably depend on your team’s requirements, size, and budget allocation for BI tools. Remember that deciding between free, pro or premium offerings boils down to assessing your need for collaborative capabilities versus your financial capacity.

By adopting an effective system like Power BI while being mindful of its costs and offerings tendancy towards scaleability, we find ourselves empowered with data analytics capabilities ready to drive better business decisions.

TTMS provides further support in this endeavour by offering key services to optimize costs related to implementing and running Power bI, thus making this robust tool accessible for small to large scale businesses alike.

7. How TTMS can help you reduce Microsoft Power BI costs

Now that we’ve meticulously walked through the cost of Microsoft Power BI, it’s rightly essential to talk about how one could potentially trim these expenses while still leveraging its potent data analytics capabilities. That’s exactly where a proficient IT solutions provider like Transition Technologies MS (TTMS) enters the picture. Providing innovative IT solutions for businesses and outsourcing services globally, TTMS stands as an informed guide in your journey with Microsoft Power BI.

Firstly, adopting new software comes with associated challenges – mainly related to personnel training and adapting existing systems to the new environment. TTMS can assist your organization by offering expert-led, customized training sessions for your teams ensuring a smooth transition.

Secondly, TTMS takes away the headache of constant maintenance and updates. With their managed services approach, they handle all aspects of maintaining your BI tools – including necessary software updates – so you don’t have to worry about any interruptions to your business operations from unattended system latency issues or outdated versions.

When considering Microsoft Power Bi price, it’s also worthwhile noting that over-buying often inflates initial expenditure. Many organizations err on purchasing more licenses than required—TTMS helps avoid mistakes through careful needs assessment resulting in optimized license management.

Additionally, TTMS has proven success in optimizing business processes, as demonstrated in our project with Volvo Car Poland. We helped Volvo integrate Power BI to automate and streamline their customer service, sales, and marketing reports. This integration enabled Volvo to significantly improve their reporting efficiency, reduce manual labor, and enhance decision-making processes, leading to substantial cost savings and increased operational efficiency.

Furthermore, our expertise extends not just to Power BI but across the entire suite of Microsoft offerings including Azure integration. This means we can effectively suggest workarounds or strategies in using complimentary devices—potentially leading you into significant savings down the lane! Pricing ambiguities could be eased out too! With deep understanding of Power BI cost variables at play, they demystify licensing options available resulting in tailored packages befitting unique organizational requirements whilst being economically efficient. Perhaps most importantly however is realizing that investing in an effective tool doesn’t end once purchase is made; optimizing usage plays crucial part towards actual value gained. Hence definitive, ongoing support system offered by TTMS assists in tapping full potential of Power BI investment through timely rectifications and improvisations. In conclusion, the cost of Microsoft Power Bi might be a substantial initial outlay but with an experienced partner like TTMS to support your business journey, you’ll ultimately see a tangible return on your investment—through both direct savings from avoided costs and increased productivity driven by insightful data analytics. Contact Us!

What is Microsoft Power BI?

Microsoft Power BI is a powerful business analytics tool that provides interactive visualizations and self-service business intelligence capabilities. It allows users to create reports and dashboards without needing extensive technical expertise, making data analysis accessible to everyone. Power BI helps organizations make informed decisions by turning raw data into actionable insights.

 

What are the different versions of Power BI?

Power BI actually comes in several editions tailored to varying needs: Power BI Desktop is free and installed locally for report creation, while Power BI Free offers basic online functionality (limited to personal “My Workspace”). Power BI Pro (USD $10 per user/month) enables collaboration and sharing within organizations, and Premium Per User (USD $20 per user/month, or $10 if upgrading from Pro or Office/Microsoft 365 E5) adds larger model sizes and advanced AI features. For enterprise-scale workloads, Premium Per Capacity historically started at $4,995/month (P1 SKU), but Microsoft is transitioning these older Premium capacities to Microsoft Fabric, whose “F” capacities begin at lower monthly rates and offer a unified analytics platform for large deployments.

How much does Power BI Pro cost?

Power BI Pro is $10 per user/month, making it ideal for professionals who need to share business intelligence content within teams. It provides advanced collaboration tools, along with the ability to generate and share reports and dashboards seamlessly. If you already have an Office/Microsoft 365 E5 license (which includes Pro), you can upgrade to Premium Per User for an additional $10 per user/month, thereby unlocking Premium-level capabilities like larger model sizes and advanced AI features.

 

What are the benefits of Power BI Premium?

Power BI Premium can be licensed by capacity through Microsoft Fabric or on a per-user basis for $20 per user/month. It offers large model capacity, frequent data refreshes, and advanced AI features—making it ideal for organizations that need robust reporting and data analysis at scale. With capacity-based Premium (via Fabric), you can share content broadly without requiring individual per-user licenses, ensuring a more cost-effective solution for large audiences.

How can TTMS help reduce Microsoft Power BI costs?

TTMS assists organizations in optimizing Power BI costs through expert-led training, managed services, and careful needs assessment. They help avoid over-purchasing licenses and ensure smooth software transitions. TTMS’s experience, as demonstrated in their project with Volvo Car Poland, shows how they can enhance reporting efficiency, reduce manual labor, and streamline processes, leading to substantial cost savings and improved operational efficiency.

Wiktor Janicki Poland

We hereby declare that Transition Technologies MS provides IT services on time, with high quality and in accordance with the signed agreement. We recommend TTMS as a trustworthy and reliable provider of Salesforce IT services.

Read more
Julien Guillot Schneider Electric

TTMS has really helped us thorough the years in the field of configuration and management of protection relays with the use of various technologies. I do confirm, that the services provided by TTMS are implemented in a timely manner, in accordance with the agreement and duly.

Read more

Ready to take your business to the next level?

Let’s talk about how TTMS can help.

TTMC Contact person
Monika Radomska

Sales Manager