# Looker vs Sisense

**Leader by vioscaleAI score:** Sisense

| Attribute | Looker | Sisense |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 51.8 (53% (medium)) | 66.3 (72% (medium)) |
| adoption.stackoverflow_questions | 2,000 | - |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"Looker is a business intelligence and embedded analytics platform owned by Google Cloud that helps organizations explore, visualize, and analyze data to support decision-making. It serves business analysts, data teams, and enterprises seeking to build dashboards, create reports, and embed analytics capabilities into custom applications.","source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker","question":"What is Looker and what is it used for?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"LookML is Looker's proprietary data modeling language that allows developers to define semantic layers, transformations, and business logic on top of raw data. It enables organizations to create a governed, reusable data model that ensures consistent definitions and metrics across all analytics within the platform.","source":"https://docs.cloud.google.com/looker/docs/intro","question":"What is LookML and why does Looker use it?","confidence":0.9},{"answer":"Looker uses a subscription-based pricing model with three platform editions (Standard, Enterprise, and Embed) requiring annual commitments. Pricing includes both a platform fee and per-user licensing costs based on user type (Developer, Standard, or Viewer). New customers can access a free trial with 300 dollars in Google Cloud credits.","source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker/pricing","question":"What is the pricing model for Looker?","confidence":0.92},{"answer":"Looker does not offer a permanent free tier, but new users can start with a free trial that includes 300 dollars in Google Cloud credits to explore the platform's capabilities. After the trial period, a paid subscription is required to continue using the platform.","source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker/pricing","question":"Can you use Looker for free?","confidence":0.9},{"answer":"No, Looker is a commercial, proprietary software product owned by Google Cloud. The platform is not open source and requires a paid subscription license to use. Google acquired Looker in 2019 and integrates it as part of its cloud analytics offerings.","source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker","question":"Is Looker open source?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Embedded analytics refer to integrating Looker dashboards and visualizations directly into third-party applications or custom software, rather than accessing analytics through a separate analytics interface. Organizations use this capability to provide analytics features to end users without requiring them to log into Looker directly, enabling analytics to be embedded in customer-facing applications or internal business systems.","source":"https://docs.cloud.google.com/looker/docs/intro","question":"What are embedded analytics in Looker and when would you use them?","confidence":0.88},{"answer":"Looker provides REST APIs that developers can use to build custom applications, automate workflows, and integrate Looker functionality with other tools. Developers can work with LookML for data modeling and use the SQL Runner tool to write custom SQL queries. The APIs enable programmatic access to dashboards, queries, and user management features.","source":"https://docs.cloud.google.com/looker/docs","question":"What programming languages and APIs does Looker support for developers?","confidence":0.87},{"answer":"Looker is primarily deployed as a cloud-based service (SaaS) running on Google Cloud Platform, with customers accessing it through web browsers and mobile applications. The platform is not designed for traditional on-premises self-hosting, positioning it as a fully managed cloud solution.","source":"https://cloud.google.com/looker","question":"Is Looker cloud-only or can it be self-hosted?","confidence":0.9}]` | `[{"answer":"Sisense is an embedded analytics platform designed for developers to integrate AI-powered analytics into customer-facing products. It provides natural-language query capabilities, semantic data modeling, row-level security, and flexible embedding options through SDKs and APIs, with support for multiple deployment models. It is indexed under BI Software.","source":"https://www.sisense.com/","question":"What is Sisense?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Sisense does not publish its prices. Pricing is quoted on request, across 2 plans (Self-Serve and Enterprise), so the figure depends on your seat count and requirements. We record this as a pricing-transparency signal rather than guessing a number. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.sisense.com/plans/","question":"How much does Sisense cost?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed browser-based access to Sisense. That is the extent of what we could verify from public sources, so it may well offer desktop or mobile clients we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.sisense.com/","question":"What platforms does Sisense support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have only confirmed a cloud / SaaS deployment for Sisense, so it appears to be vendor-hosted. If a self-hosted option exists we have not found it documented publicly.","source":"https://www.sisense.com/","question":"Can Sisense be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 11 integrations for Sisense, including Any warehouse connectors (generic), Any database connectors (generic), Cloud app connectors (generic), MCP (Model Context Protocol), REST APIs, Compose SDK, External AI tools and workflows and Custom plugins, plus 3 more. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.sisense.com/","question":"What does Sisense integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have independently confirmed SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA and GDPR for Sisense. Certifications we do not list are ones we have not been able to verify from public sources, which is not the same as Sisense not holding them. Always confirm compliance directly before you rely on it.","source":"https://www.sisense.com/about/legal/gdpr-compliance/","question":"What security certifications does Sisense have?","confidence":0.7},{"answer":"Sisense is available in the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU, Japan and Australia. Its primary markets are the United States, the EU and the United Kingdom. The vendor is headquartered in the United States.","source":"https://www.sisense.com/plans/","question":"Where is Sisense available?","confidence":0.75}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | A business intelligence and analytics platform offering self-service dashboards, data exploration through LookML models, and embedded analytics capabilities with support for cloud and self-hosted deployment. | A business intelligence tool that enables teams to connect databases and create visual reports and dashboards from SQL queries and large datasets for sharing and collaboration. |
| features.capabilities | `{"nlq_ai":true,"hosting":"both","rls_sso":true,"paradigm":"nlq_search","free_tier":true,"api_access":true,"sql_editor":true,"data_modeling":true,"managed_cloud":true,"self_hostable":true,"git_versioning":true,"semantic_layer":"built_in","visualizations":true,"warehouse_native":true,"connector_breadth":"Cloud data warehouses (Snowflake confirmed), OAuth-authenticated data sources","scheduled_reports":true,"embedded_analytics":true,"transparent_pricing":false,"self_serve_dashboards":true}` | `{"nlq_ai":true,"rls_sso":true,"paradigm":"embedded","free_tier":true,"api_access":true,"managed_cloud":true,"self_hostable":true,"semantic_layer":"built_in","visualizations":true,"warehouse_native":true,"connector_breadth":"Supports warehouses, databases, and cloud applications","scheduled_reports":true,"embedded_analytics":true,"transparent_pricing":false,"self_serve_dashboards":true}` |
| integrations.count | 6 | 8 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Snowflake"},{"name":"GitHub","native":true,"category":"ci_cd","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"GitLab","native":true,"category":"ci_cd","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"Bitbucket","native":true,"category":"ci_cd","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"BigQuery","native":true,"category":"data_warehouse","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"Dataplex","native":true,"category":"data_catalog","direction":"inbound"},{"name":"Cloud Storage","native":true,"category":"data_warehouse","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"GitHub Actions","native":true,"category":"ci_cd","direction":"inbound"},{"name":"GitLab CI","native":true,"category":"ci_cd","direction":"inbound"},{"name":"Bitbucket Pipelines","native":true,"category":"ci_cd","direction":"inbound"}]` | `[{"name":"Any warehouse connectors (generic)"},{"name":"Any database connectors (generic)"},{"name":"Cloud app connectors (generic)"},{"name":"MCP (Model Context Protocol)"},{"name":"REST APIs"},{"name":"Compose SDK"},{"name":"External AI tools and workflows"},{"name":"Custom plugins"},{"name":"Jasper Reports","native":true,"direction":"outbound"},{"name":"Redshift","native":true,"direction":"inbound"},{"name":"Snowflake","native":true,"direction":"inbound"},{"name":"DECK.GL","native":true,"category":"mapping"}]` |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":["US","EU"],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"hqCountry":"US","primaryMarkets":["US","EU","GB"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":["US","GB","EU","JP","AU"],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"web":true}` | `{"web":true}` |
| pricing | - | `{"type":"hybrid","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Cloud Data Teams (Free)","description":"Analysis platform for data teams to connect databases and build reports and dashboards"}],"freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.sisense.com/","retrievedAt":"2026-09-18T12:33:34.133Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | no | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | - | low |
| pricing.transparent | no | no |
| release.cadence_days | 30 | - |
| reliability.sla_pct | 99.9 | 99.99 |
| reliability.status_page | yes | yes |
| security.certifications | `[{"name":"ISO/IEC 27001","status":"active","auditor":"independent third party"}]` | - |
| security.disclosure_policy | - | yes |
| security.gdpr | yes | yes |
| security.hipaa | - | yes |
| security.iso27001 | yes | yes |
| security.soc2 | yes | yes |

## Capabilities (BI Software)

| Capability | Looker | Sisense |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Core** |  |  |
| BI paradigm | NLQ / search | Embedded |
| Semantic / modelling layer | Built-in | Built-in |
| **Engine** |  |  |
| Warehouse-native (SQL push-down) | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Self-hostable / OSS core | ✓ | ✓ |
| Managed cloud available | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Intelligence** |  |  |
| Natural-language query / AI copilot | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Delivery** |  |  |
| Embedded / white-label analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scheduled reports / alerting | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Governance** |  |  |
| Row-level security & SSO/SAML | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Commercial** |  |  |
| Per-seat pricing published | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free tier / free desktop | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Ecosystem** |  |  |
| dbt-native integration | - | - |
| Data-source connector breadth | Cloud data warehouses (Snowflake confirmed), OAuth-authenticated data sources | Supports warehouses, databases, and cloud applications |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T20:56:23.606Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*