Google Data Studio is a wonderful free analytics tool which allows businesses to to dashboard various important metrics in one place. For some though, 1) the cost of connectors and 2) the complications of using the tool makes it a bad fit. In the post, we want to focus on highlighting other 3rd party alternatives to Google Data Studio which provide similar capabilities and data connections.
Below, we’ll highlight the main alternatives to Google Data Studio which marketers, businesses, and agencies are using.
Which Are the Best Google Data Studio Alternatives?
Which Software is Similar to Google Data Studio?
First, let’s look at some of the big players in the dashboard space, each of which provides an alternative solution to Google Data Studio.
| Provider | Connections | Pricing | Read Review | Free Trial | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Databox | 65+ Connections | $50/month | Read Review | Free Trial | @databox | |
 Klipfolio | 100+ Connections | $29/Month | Read Review | Free Trial | @klipfolio | |
 Reportz.io | 25+ Connections | $6.99 Per Dashboard | Read Review | Free Trial | @reportz.io | |
 dashthis | 33+ Connections | $33/month | Read Review | Free Trial | @dashthis | |
 Report Garden | 8+ Connections | $149/month+ | Read Review | Free Trial | @reportgarden | |
 Octoboard | 50+ Connections | $18/month+ | Read Review | Free Trial | @octoboard |
Here are the Common Data Sources for GDS Alternatives
| Data Source | Data Source Information | |
|---|---|---|
 Adobe Analytics | Industry leading analytics with connections to multiple platforms. | @klipfolio, @databox, |
 Adform | Used by advertisers and agencies alike to manage digital ads and ad campaigns. | @dashthis |
 Amazon | Gather data from all of Amazons advertising products. | @klipfolio, @improvado |
 AdRoll | Used for re-targeting and prospecting cross-platform. | @improvado |
 Bing Ads | Search engine and display advertising network. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @reportgarden, @dashthis, @octoboard |
 Constant Contact | Email marketing platform used by marketers and business alike. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @octoboard |
Criteo | Re-targeting advertising platform. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado |
 Facebook Ads | Reach targeted audiences worldwide. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @reportgarden, @dashthis, @reportz, @octoboard |
 Facebook Audience Insights | Data insights into Facebook audiences. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado |
 Google My Business | Local performance metrics using GMB. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @reportz, @octoboard |
 Google Ads | One of the largest search and display advertising platforms available. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @reportgarden, @dashthis, @octoboard |
 Google Adsense | Insights into Adsense and campaign performance. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado |
 Google Analytics | Manage all of you performance in one place cross-platform. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @reportgarden, @reportz, @octoboard |
 Google Search Console | Insights into organic website performance. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @reportgarden, @reportz |
 Instagram Insights | Facebook's extremely popular picture based application. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @reportgarden, @dashthis, |
 LinkedIn Ads | Advertise to directly to industry professionals. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @reportgarden, @reportz, @octoboard |
 MailChimp | Email marketing platform for targeted campaigns. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @dashthis, @octoboard |
 | Increase your reach and engagement using your Pinterest data. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @octoboard |
 Quora | Reach millions of people who are looking for answers about everything. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado |
 | Also known as the "front page of the web". | @klipfolio, @databox, |
 ShareASale | Merchants and publishers data on performance of affiliate programs. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado |
 SEMRush | One of the most used tools for SEM and SEO analysis. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @dashthis, @reportz, @octoboard |
 Tumblr | Very popular picture based web application. | @klipfolio, @databox, |
 Vimeo | Video engagement and performance metrics. | @klipfolio, @databox, |
 Walmart | E-commerce giant, get data from all Walmart sources. | @klipfolio, @databox, |
 | Social network for news and short messages. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @reportgarden, @octoboard |
 YouTube | Video engagement and performance metrics. | @klipfolio, @databox, @improvado, @octoboard |
Choosing the Right Data Studio Replacement
Compatibility
What exactly would you like to dashboard? First thing to look at when choosing a Google Data Studio alternative solution is making a list of data connections which you’d like to dashboard. Each BI dashboard tool connects to a different set of data sources (Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, Bing Ads, MailChimp, Amazozn etc.) so begin by making your list of needed connections and searching for the right dashboard solution based on that. In our experiences though, most of the big players are connected to a similar set of data sources.
Cost
While Data Studio is free (sort of, you often have to pay for connectors but the tool itself is free), many alternatives are not. Choose a solution which fits your company’s budget. based on the features offered at each dashboard pricing tier.
Data Warehousing
This sounds complex but it’s actually simple and important. Some 3rd party dashboard tools (Data Studio alternatives) will warehouse your data and others provide a direct connection to each data source. If possible, it’s always best to use one which warehouses your data so that the dashboard is fast and reliable.