Ever feel like you’re seeing double… or triple? Welcome to the world of Google’s data analytics tools, where “Looker” isn’t just a name, it’s a whole family reunion. If you’ve found yourself squinting at your screen, wondering if you’ve had one too many coffees while trying to differentiate between Looker, Looker Studio, and Looker Studio Pro, don’t worry – you’re not alone.
Outside of the naming confusion, how do you know which product within the “Looker-verse” is right for your business? We’ll help you in this blog by breaking down the features, benefits, and use cases of each platform to help you make an informed decision.
Looker Studio: The Free Dashboarding Solution
Looker Studio, formerly known as Google Data Studio, is Google’s free dashboarding software. It’s an excellent starting point for businesses looking to visualise their data without investing in a premium solution. Google states that Looker Studio is “designed to help users get more from their data by creating interactive dashboards and engaging reports”.
Looker Studio’s Key Features:
- User-friendly interface for creating reports and dashboards
- Integration with various Google and third-party data sources
- Collaborative features for sharing and editing reports
- Basic data transformation capabilities
Who is Looker Studio Best Suited To?
Looker Studio is definitely a good fit for Small to medium-sized businesses, marketing teams, and individual data analysts who need a straightforward tool for creating visually appealing reports and dashboards.
Users looking for more advanced functionality should look to consider the other options discussed within this blog.
Looker Studio Pro: Enhanced Enterprise Capabilities
Looker Studio Pro is the premium version of Looker Studio, offering additional features tailored for larger organisations and more complex data needs.
Looker Studio Pro Key Features (in addition to Looker Studio):
- Organisation-owned content linked to Google Cloud projects
- Team workspaces for improved collaboration
- Enhanced report delivery with up to 20 delivery schedules
- Personal report links for data exploration
- Mobile app for on-the-go access
- Google Cloud Customer Care support or support from a certified Google Cloud partner like XPON
Who is Looker Studio Pro Best Suited To?
Medium to large enterprises that require more control over their data assets, enhanced collaboration features, and dedicated support.
Looker: The Enterprise-Grade Business Intelligence Platform
Looker is Google’s comprehensive business intelligence platform, designed for organisations with complex data modelling and analysis needs.
Looker’s Key Features:
- Advanced data modelling with LookML
- In-database architecture for real-time data access
- Extensive API capabilities for custom applications and workflows
- Multi-cloud and multi-database support
- Embedded analytics for integrating insights into existing tools
- Version control and governance features
Who is Looker Best Suited To?
Large enterprises and organisations with sophisticated data requirements, multiple data sources, and the need for custom analytics solutions.
Comparing the Three: Which One is Right for You?
To help you decide which Looker product best suits your needs, let’s break down some key considerations in a simple comparison table:
| Feature | Looker Studio | Looker Studio Pro | Looker |
| Scalability | Suitable for small to medium-sized projects | Scales well for larger teams and organisations | Designed for enterprise-scale data operations |
| Data Modelling Capabilities | Basic data blending and calculated fields | Similar to Looker Studio | Advanced data modelling with LookML |
| Collaboration Features | Basic sharing and editing | Team workspaces and enhanced collaboration tools | Enterprise-grade collaboration with version control |
| Pricing | Free | Starts at $9 per user per project per month* | Custom enterprise pricing* |
| Support | Community support | Google Cloud Customer Care | Dedicated enterprise support |
*For detailed pricing information tailored to your organisation’s specific requirements and business goals, please contact the XPON team.
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Choosing between Looker, Looker Studio, and Looker Studio Pro depends on your organisation’s specific needs, data complexity, and growth trajectory. Here are some factors to consider:
- Data volume and complexity: If you’re dealing with large, complex datasets from multiple sources, Looker might be the best fit. For simpler data visualisation needs, Looker Studio or Looker Studio Pro could suffice.
- Team size and collaboration requirements: Larger teams with complex collaboration needs may benefit from Looker Studio Pro or Looker, while smaller teams might find Looker Studio adequate.
- Budget: While Looker Studio is free, the advanced features of Looker Studio Pro or Looker may justify the investment for organisations requiring more sophisticated tools.
- Integration with existing systems: Consider how well each solution integrates with your current tech stack and data sources.
- Future scalability: Think about your organisation’s future growth and whether the chosen solution can scale with your needs.
Maximising Your Looker Investment with XPON
As a certified and award-winning Google Cloud and Google Marketing Platform partner, XPON Technologies is uniquely positioned to help your organisation make the most of Google’s suite of tools, including Looker, Looker Studio, and Looker Studio Pro. Our team of experts can guide you through the selection process, ensuring you choose the solution that best aligns with your business goals and data strategy.
Whether you’re just starting your data analytics journey or looking to upgrade your existing capabilities, XPON can provide:
- Comprehensive audit of your current ecosystem and business intelligence capability
- Data analytics and reporting services
- Google product expertise
- Training and ongoing support
- Data strategy consulting
- Bespoke advanced analytics and AI solutions
Contact XPON today.
For more information, contact XPON today to explore how we can help you unlock the full potential of your data with Google’s Looker suite of products.
By leveraging the right tools and expertise, your organisation can turn data into actionable insights, driving informed decision-making and business growth. Let XPON be your partner in this data-driven journey.