Power BI Licensing explained

Introduction

When it comes to using Power BI, understanding the licensing structure is crucial for both report creators and viewers. Power BI offers various licensing options, including the Pro license, Premium per Capacity, and Premium per User, each with different features and pricing. This article will delve into the details of Power BI licensing to help users make informed decisions.

To begin with, Power BI Desktop is a free tool that allows users to build reports without any cost. However, to publish and share reports, a Pro license is required, which costs $ 9.99 per month. The Pro license enables users to share reports with others and allows viewers to access shared reports. Additionally, there is an option for Premium per Capacity, starting at $ 5,000 per month, which eliminates the need for viewers to have a Pro license if reports are shared from a workspace marked as Premium.

Furthermore, there is the Premium per User option, which offers some bonus features similar to Premium per Capacity but requires a separate license for report creators and viewers. The pricing for Premium per User is $ 20 per month for both creators and consumers, with additional benefits such as larger data sets and paginated reports.

In essence, Power BI licensing revolves around the type of workspace created - whether it is a Pro workspace, Premium per User workspace, or Premium per Capacity workspace. Each workspace designation determines the licensing requirements for both creators and viewers, influencing how reports can be shared and accessed.

Keywords

Power BI, licensing, Pro license, Premium per Capacity, Premium per User, workspace, pricing, reports, viewers, creators

FAQ

1. What is the cost of a Power BI Pro license?

• The Power BI Pro license costs $ 9.99 per month, allowing users to share and view reports.

2. Do viewers need a Pro license to access shared reports?

• Yes, viewers typically need a Pro license to view reports shared from a Pro workspace unless using Premium per Capacity or Premium per User workspaces.

3. What are the pricing differences between Power BI Pro, Premium per Capacity, and Premium per User licenses?

• Power BI Pro costs $ 9.99 per month, Premium per Capacity starts at $ 5,000 per month, and Premium per User costs $ 20 per month for both creators and consumers.