Tableau states that they are “on a mission to help people see and understand data.” The company offers a variety of software options from on-site to online. They advertise faster analytics of any data amount, ease of use, smart dashboards, sharing, and automatic updating. A free trial is available, too, all of which places it among the best data visualization software.

Domo claims to save users thousands of hours with automated reports and visualization, easy access to 100’s of data sources, and the ability to access data anywhere and on any device. Doma made the best data visualization list for many reasons including its ability to collect data from a variety of sources in real time.

Zoho offers a variety of services including data visualization. With a drop-and-drag interface, Zoho reports being able to create a wide variety of charts, tables, reports and dashboards. The Zoho site says its creations can be embedded anywhere and shared easily. Those interested can take a tour or sign up for free. Zoho also offers help creating forms, survey collection, ad free email, social media analysis, document management and much more, winning it a spot on the best data visualization list.

GoodData goes beyond business intelligence to deliver insight and advanced analytics for organizations. This cloud analytic platform makes the best data visualization list for offering big data ready ETL/ELT, warehousing for data, innovative analysis and visualization and self-service data detection. Always available, the site offers a free trial at sign-up.

Pentaho describes itself as a “leading data integration and business analytics company” capable of taking on data of any size. They are among the best data visualization software for helping companies understand and use their data including big data and Internet of things. Data visualizations are tailor-made to meet the needs of each business.

Data visualization software enables data to be transformed into a graph or other visual aid. These visualizations can vary from graphs to charts to geographical maps. Many are interactive or present real-time data, according to Software Advice . The data visualized allows readers to analyze information, insight and recognize trends all at one, using everyone’s time more efficiently because less time is used interpreting numbers.

Although data visualization software is easy to find, choosing the right one for your personal or business needs can become more complicated. One thing to consider is if you want software on your system or a web-based program. Web-based systems provide an easy of use at any location with internet access but most require a monthly subscription fee. Further, make sure the vendor offers Mobile Business Intelligence (Mobile BI) if you plan to use it on a mobile device. Mobile BI software can provide a lower cost, less IT needs and are faster to implement.

Other concerns, according to Technology Advice , include making sure the software is compatible with your data source. Make sure the data visualization software can create the type of graphic visualization necessary whether it is a graphic, treemap, infographic or three-dimensional scatter plot. In addition, researching the software user-friendliness is important if non-technical users will be operating the software. It should have a clean, easy to understand interface.

Data visualization became an integral part of every respectable business intelligence software. Several companies are competing on the market trying to adapt to constantly evolving market demand for streamlined analysis capabilities and slick data visualization tools.  According to Forbes , Business Intelligence platforms are expected to grow at approximately 9% annual growth rate through 2018.

Not every software is made equal. In February 2015 Gartner , a leading information technology research company, released a report assessing the state of BI software market as well as quality of competing companies. Below is a Magic Quadrant for Business Intelligence and Analytics Platform by Gartner, which displays a summary view of competing BI software and their standing in the market.

The solution which found itself ahead of the curve is Tableau which along with being very capable data crunching soft, offers powerful data visualization tools. Among leading BI software platforms which attained highest ranking on the ability to execute as well as the completeness of vision are SAS, Microsoft, IBM and Oracle. Google Data did not make it to the “leader’s” club. It seems the internet search giant will need to step up its game.