Qlik

QlikSense is one of the oldest Business Intelligence (BI) technologies still on the market. Released in 1993, it offers features very similar to Power BI (advanced visualizations, contextual variables, etc.), but with a less user-friendly interface. Some functionalities, such as cumulative sums, are hidden within a complex UI, making them harder to access.

Another drawback is Qlik’s official documentation, which is poorly indexed in Google SEO. Searching for help often leads to official forums, where the quality of answers is inconsistent. Additionally, Qlik Set Analysis, the proprietary language used to calculate Master Items (similar to Power BI measures), combined with a lack of debugging tools, makes Qlik difficult for beginner data analysts.

One of Qlik’s key features is QlikViewDatasets (QVDs), binary files that allow fast data reading. However, setting them up is not automatic and requires a dedicated Qlik application, adding extra development effort compared to other BI tools.

Theodo’s point of view

We do not recommend Qlik as a BI tool. It feels outdated, with a complex and rigid interface. The writing and reading of QVDs lack transparency and scalability. For reporting needs, tools like Power BI or Looker Studio provide better usability and documentation.