SSRS Vs Power BI - What are the Key Differences?

SSRS and Power BI are both Business Intelligence tools specially designed to present data to the end user. Since both are part of the Microsoft BI stack, they are equipped with a different set of audiences and applied in different practices. Also, for more details, read about Power BI Developer Future.

Before we discuss the differences between the two, let’s first understand each of these clearly.

What is SSRS?

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a server-based comprehensive extensible reporting platform that comes free with SQL Server 2012. It is one of the most powerful tools for several years. There are many features that can be used to create reports that suit customer requirements. The SSRS service provides an interface into Microsoft Visual Studio so that it can be connected to the SQL databases and use SSRS tools to format SQL in various complex ways.

Why SSRS

Following are the few main reasons to choose SSRS:

• SSRS allows better and more accurate decision-making mechanisms for the users
• It allows users to interact with information without involving any IT professionals
• It is an intensified tool compared to other crystal reports
• It provides a host of security features

What is Power BI?

Power BI is a business analytics service provided by Microsoft. It is a collection of apps, connectors, and software services that work together to turn your unrelated sources of data into coherent ones. Power BI lets you easily connect to your data sources and analyze what is important. It allows the user to have access to reports and personalized dashboards which provides a complete 360-degree view of the business from all diverse sources.

Why do we need Power BI?

Here are some of the key benefits of using Power BI:

• A large amount of data can be processed
• It can be embedded into your own custom apps.
• Helps in transforming your enterprise data into rich visuals
• Less engineering resources to use

Main Differences Between Microsoft Power BI and SSRS

Following are the major differences between “Microsoft Power BI and SSRS”

Basis	SSRS	Microsoft Power BI
History	SSRS was first introduced in the year 2004 which provides a unified, server-based, and scalable platform through which all the business reporting needs can be satisfied.	Power BI report server is a cloud-based business analytics service introduced in the year 2017 for analyzing and visualizing data introduced in 2017.
License	It is paid device.	It is free to utilize which will also reduce the acquisition barriers.
Applicability	SSRS is used for producing server-based reports.	Power BI is used to produce cloud-based and server-based reports.
Dependency	SSRS can work with structure and semi-structure information.	Power BI can manage structured and unstructured data. One of the best features of Power BI is the ability to save data to Excel.
Convenience	Access to web and work area.	Power BI can utilize through the work area, web, and mobile applications.
Component	SSRS is an enterprise visualization tool based on old technology.	Power BI is HTML 5 open source app-enabled and cloud-enabled SAAS.
Nature	Because of its rich graphical component, it is easily user-friendly.	Power BI is less user-friendly.
Implementation	SSRS implementation is complex compared to Power BI.	Power BI uses cloud storage and a simple implementation process.
Size limit	There is no limit to the size of a data set.	Whereas, it has a limit of 1GB of data in the free version. You can create multiple datasets in it.

SSRS and Power BI are the two leading business intelligence tools that organizations use around the globe designed to present data to the end user. Both are part of the Microsoft BI stack and are geared toward different audiences and intended to be consumed in different manners. SSRS is a server-based reporting platform that provides comprehensive reporting functionality for a variety of data sources whereas Power BI is a cloud-based service. Since Power BI is meant for an advanced and modern solution it invites users to get started with it themselves rather than SSRS. The users who are only concerned with reports can opt for SSRS. But, if the users need more insight then it’s good to go with Power BI. It’s not about the tool, but it’s all about the impact that we achieve.

SSRS Vs Power BI: Detailed Explanation

SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) and Power BI are both data visualization and reporting tools. Still, they have significant differences regarding their history, license, applicability, dependency, convenience, component, nature, implementation, and size limit. Here are some differences between SSRS and Power BI:

1. History: 

• SSRS has been around for over a decade, first released in 2004 as a component of SQL Server. It is a mature product widely used by organizations for creating and managing reports.
• On the other hand, Power BI is a relatively newer product, first released in 2013 by Microsoft as a cloud-based data visualization and reporting tool. It has quickly gained popularity among organizations as a powerful alternative to SSRS.

2. License: 

• SSRS is a component of SQL Server, meaning organizations must have a valid SQL Server license to use SSRS.
• Power BI is a cloud-based service, and organizations can choose between a free or paid version. The free version has some limitations, while the paid version offers more features and functionalities.

3. Applicability:

• SSRS is best suited for organizations with a significant investment in SQL Server, as it requires an on-premises installation of SQL Server. It is also best suited for creating and managing traditional reports and dashboards.
• Power BI is best suited for organizations that require cloud-based data visualization and reporting. It is also best suited for creating interactive and dynamic dashboards and reports.

4. Dependency: 

• SSRS depends on SQL reporting services, as it requires an on-premises installation of SQL Server.
• Power BI is dependent on the internet, as it is a cloud-based service.

5. Convenience: 

• SSRS requires a dedicated server and IT resources to manage the installation and maintenance of the server. It also requires IT resources to manage the security and access to the reports and dashboards.
• Power BI is convenient as it does not require any dedicated servers or IT resources for installation and maintenance. It also has a user-friendly interface that allows for easy access and management of reports and dashboards.

6. Component: 

• SSRS has a variety of components, such as a report designer, report server, and report manager.
• Power BI has a single component, the Power BI Desktop, that allows for creating and managing reports and dashboards.

7. Nature: 

• SSRS is a traditional reporting tool that is best suited for creating and managing traditional reports and dashboards.
• Power BI is a modern data visualization and reporting tool that is best suited for creating interactive and dynamic reports and dashboards.

8. Implementation: 

• SSRS requires an on-premises installation of an SQL Server and IT resources to manage the installation and maintenance of the server.
• Power BI is a cloud-based service that does not require dedicated servers or IT resources for installation and maintenance.

9. Size limit: 

• SSRS has a size limit of 2 GB per report. 
• Power BI has a size limit of 2 GB per dataset. 

In summary, SSRS and Power BI are both data visualization and reporting tools, but they have significant differences in terms of their history, license, applicability, dependency, convenience, component, nature, implementation, and size limit. SSRS is best suited for organizations that have a significant investment in SQL Server and need traditional reports and dashboards, while Power BI is best suited for organizations that have a need for cloud-based data visualization and reporting and need interactive and dynamic reports and dashboards. 

The following image will help you understand better the differences between Microsoft Power BI and SSRS

You can also understand the differences between Power BI and Tableau here.

How are they Similar?

SSRS and Power BI are both data visualization and reporting tools, and they have some similarities in terms of their functionality and capabilities. 

• SSRS and Power BI allow for creating and managing reports and dashboards. 
• Both SSRS and Power BI support using data from various sources such as SQL Server, Excel, and SharePoint. 
• SSRS and Power BI have a variety of visualizations and charts that can be used to display data in a meaningful way. 
• Both SSRS and Power BI have the capability to schedule and automate the delivery of reports and dashboards to users. 
• SSRS and Power BI can create and manage report subscriptions and report alerts. 
• Both SSRS and Power BI have built-in security features that allow for managing and controlling access to reports and dashboards. 

In summary, SSRS and Power BI are both data visualization and reporting tools that allow for the creation and management of reports and dashboards, support the use of data from various sources, have a variety of visualizations and charts, have the capability to schedule and automate the delivery of reports and dashboards, have the ability to create and manage report subscriptions and report alerts, and have built-in security features. 

What Should You Choose Between SSRS and Power BI?  

The choice between SSRS and Power BI depends on an organization's specific needs and requirements. Here are some factors to consider when making the decision to opt between SSRS Vs Power BI: 

• On-premises vs. cloud-based: SSRS requires an on-premises installation of SQL Server, while Power BI is a cloud-based service. If an organization invests significantly in SQL Server and needs to keep data on-premises, then SSRS may be the better option. However, if an organization is looking for a cloud-based solution, then Power BI may be the better option. 
• Traditional vs. interactive and dynamic reports: SSRS is best suited for creating and managing traditional reports and dashboards, while Power BI is best suited for creating interactive and dynamic reports and dashboards. SSRS may be the better option if an organization needs traditional reports and dashboards. However, if an organization needs interactive and dynamic reports and dashboards, then Power BI, like Microsoft business intelligence, maybe the better option. 
• IT resources: SSRS requires dedicated IT resources to manage the installation and maintenance of the server, while Power BI does not require any dedicated servers or IT resources for installation and maintenance. Power BI may be the better option if an organization has limited IT resources. 
• Size limit: SSRS has a size limit of 2 GB per the report, while Power BI has a size limit of 2 GB per dataset. If an organization needs to work with large datasets, then Power BI may be the better option. 
• Cost: SSRS is a component of SQL Server, which means that organizations must have a valid SQL Server license to use SSRS. Power BI is a cloud-based service, and organizations can choose between a free or paid version. The free version has some limitations, while the paid version offers more features and functionalities. If an organization is looking for a free or low-cost solution, then Power BI may be the better option. 

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Conclusion

The choice between Power BI and SSRS can be decided completely based on requirements. It depends on your organization if it used paginated reports on-premises then SSRS will be a more cost-effective option. On the other hand, if you already have SQL Server Enterprise Edition with Software Assurance then Power BI Reporting Services will likely be your preferred choice.

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