SAP Analytics Cloud

SAP Analytics Cloud enables data visualization, predictive analytics, planning, and business intelligence for decision-making.

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  • Overview
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Reviews

SAP Analytics Cloud Overview

  • Updated September 3, 2025

SAP Analytics Cloud is a powerful, cloud-based platform that integrates business intelligence, predictive analytics, and planning capabilities. It enables users to visualize data, uncover insights, and make informed decisions through intuitive dashboards and reports.

It offers real-time data analysis, machine learning, and collaborative planning. These features help organizations simplify operations, predict trends, and support growth within a secure and scalable environment designed for modern business needs.

Key Features

  • Interactive Data Visualization: SAC includes drag-and-drop tools that create dynamic charts, graphs, maps, and tables. Intuitive dashboards and reports make complex analysis clear for both technical and non-technical users.

  • Real-Time Data Connectivity: Live and imported connections link directly to sources such as SAP HANA, SAP S/4HANA, Excel, and Google BigQuery. Insights remain up to date, and data can be analyzed without replication or delay.

  • Augmented Analytics with AI: AI-driven features such as Smart Insights, Smart Discovery, and Smart Predict reveal patterns, correlations, and forecasts automatically. Users gain valuable insights without requiring deep data science expertise.

  • Integrated Enterprise Planning: Financial and operational planning relies on driver-based models, scenario simulations, and version control. Budgeting and forecasting stay aligned across departments, and SAP integration ensures accuracy.

  • Collaboration Tools: Built-in commenting, task assignments, and secure sharing strengthen teamwork. Reports and dashboards can also be shared externally with partners while maintaining strong governance.

  • Predictive Analytics: Machine learning powers forecasting, trend analysis, and risk detection. Smart Predict helps create predictive models that guide proactive decision-making.

  • Mobile Accessibility: Dedicated iOS and Android apps provide access to dashboards and insights anywhere. The responsive design ensures a seamless experience across devices.

  • Enterprise-Grade Security: Role-based access, single sign-on, encryption, and compliance with GDPR and HIPAA safeguard sensitive information. Audit logs add transparency and accountability.

  • Natural Language Query: The Search to Insight feature accepts questions in plain English and returns instant, visual answers. Data exploration becomes accessible to all users.

  • Embedded Analytics: SAC integrates with SAP systems such as S/4HANA and Fiori apps, embedding analytics directly into business processes. APIs and custom widgets extend functionality and keep insights in context.

Price

SAP’s pricing page for Analytics Cloud doesn’t reveal specific rates. It primarily offers options to “Try Now” or “Request a Demo”, indicating that pricing is likely customized based on customer needs.

Here is theThird-Party Insights on Pricing:

Source Pricing Details
G2 $36 per user/month, billed quarterly or annually. Covers Business Intelligence (BI) only. Planning and predictive analytics available as optional upgrades.
Capterra / Software Advice CONFIRMS starting price of $36 per user per month for BI functionality. Planning plan requires contacting the vendor.
SelectHub Matches the $36 monthly per user BI rate. Adds that Planning license options start higher, with one estimate suggesting around $14,100 per user annually.
TrustRadius Reiterates $36 per user per month for BI and indicates Planning pricing is available upon request.
SoftwareConnect Breaks down the cost as $396 per user per year, equating closely to the $36/month figure, and notes multi-year contracts.

Pros

Competitor Pros of SAP Analytics Cloud
Tableau SAC combines business intelligence, planning, and predictive analytics in one cloud platform, which gives it an edge over Tableau’s focus on visualization. It integrates seamlessly with SAP systems like S/4HANA for real-time data access, and its AI-driven Smart Predict offers automated forecasting that Tableau lacks without add-ons. Priced at $36 per user monthly, SAC’s Business Intelligence plan is competitive, and its planning tools add value for complex needs.
Microsoft Power BI SAC excels for SAP-centric enterprises with deep integration into SAP ERP systems, and its unified platform includes planning and predictive analytics. Power BI’s $10 per user monthly price is lower, but SAC’s collaboration tools and natural language querying simplify insights for non-technical users. Customer reviews praise SAC’s all-in-one approach, which reduces reliance on multiple tools compared to Power BI’s visualization focus.
Qlik Sense SAC offers a broader feature set with BI, planning, and AI analytics, while Qlik Sense emphasizes self-service analytics. Its integration with SAP data sources ensures smooth workflows, and its planning tools outshine Qlik’s. Priced at $36 per user monthly, SAC is close to Qlik Sense Business at $31, but reviews highlight SAC’s superior visual storytelling for SAP users.
IBM Cognos Analytics SAC delivers a modern, cloud-native experience, unlike Cognos, which some users find outdated. Its AI tools, like Smart Discovery, simplify analysis, and its planning features surpass Cognos’ reporting focus. At $36 per user monthly, SAC is often more cost-effective, and users value its ease of use and mobile access, which Cognos’ steeper learning curve can’t match.
Looker SAC provides planning and predictive analytics alongside BI, while Looker focuses on visualization within Google’s ecosystem. Its SAP integration ensures seamless data flow, and user-friendly dashboards appeal to non-technical users. Reviews praise SAC’s collaboration tools, and its $36 per user monthly pricing is competitive, whereas Looker’s custom pricing can escalate for larger teams.

Cons

Competitor Cons of SAP Analytics Cloud
Tableau SAC trails Tableau in advanced visualization, as Tableau’s graphics are more versatile and widely praised. Tableau’s $15 per user monthly price undercuts SAC’s $36, and this appeals to visualization-focused teams. Users note SAC’s data modeling can be complex and often requires tech support, while Tableau’s intuitive interface enables faster setup and broader data connectivity.
Microsoft Power BI SAC’s $36 per user monthly price is steeper than Power BI’s $10, which can deter small businesses. Power BI integrates seamlessly with Microsoft products like Azure and Excel, and this feels more natural for non-SAP environments. Reviews suggest SAC struggles with large datasets, while Power BI handles high volumes efficiently and offers easier self-service for beginners.
Qlik Sense SAC’s setup is more complex than Qlik Sense, which provides a simpler data load editor and faster deployment. Qlik Sense’s $31 per user monthly Business International plan is slightly cheaper, and its associative engine uncovers unique data relationships that SAC lacks. Users find Qlik Sense quicker for analytics, and SAC’s SAP reliance limits flexibility for non-SAP users.
IBM Cognos Analytics SAC offers less flexibility in customization than Cognos, which excels in complex data modeling and enterprise reporting. Cognos’ integration with IBM’s ecosystem, including Watson Studio, suits data-heavy organizations, and its scalability supports large deployments. SAC’s planning features cost $14,100 per user annually, which can exceed Cognos for some use cases, and users report SAC’s reporting feels less robust.
Looker SAC’s reliance on SAP ecosystems limits flexibility compared to Looker’s compatibility with multiple databases and SQL dialects. Looker’s web-based interface is often easier to navigate, and its real-time data access feels smoother for non-SAP users. Reviews suggest Looker’s support is stronger, and SAC’s pricing, while competitive, lacks the transparency of Looker’s custom quotes for smaller teams.

Customers' Reviews From Reliable Websites

Gartner Review
G2 Review
TrustRadius Review
Reddit Review
Software Advice Review