For over a decade, Microsoft Power BI has remained a go-to analytics platform for businesses worldwide, offering constant innovation at a stable price. But starting in 2025, this is set to change. Microsoft’s long-anticipated price increase could significantly impact the 350,000+ organizations relying on Power BI for their analytics needs. Read more about this on the official
Microsoft blog.
In this blog post, we’ll explore these pricing changes, evaluate potential alternatives, and discuss strategies to help organizations mitigate the financial impact of this adjustment.
What’s Changing in Power BI Pricing?
Starting April 1, 2025, Microsoft will raise the price of
Power BI Pro and
Power BI Premium Per User (PPU) licenses:
- Power BI Pro: increasing from $10 to $14 per user per month
- Power BI Premium Per User: increasing from $20 to $24 per user per month
That's a 40% jump for Power BI Pro and a 20% jump for PPU.
The change carries real financial implications, especially for organizations without at least a P1 or F64 capacity. The extra per-user cost adds up quickly, forcing many businesses to reevaluate their current licensing strategy.
Why This Matters
Power BI’s pricing model has always been one of its strengths. With over 350,000 organizations worldwide relying on the platform, this price increase signals both Microsoft’s confidence in the value it delivers and the evolving needs of its customers.
But for organizations managing budgets, the per-user model can become a challenge. Let's look at alternatives that balance functionality with cost efficiency.
Embedsy: A Smarter Alternative to Per-User Licensing
As businesses evaluate these changes, Embedsy offers a compelling solution that addresses the limitations of traditional licensing models. Since the Embedsy Portal runs on any Fabric or Power BI Embedded Capacity, the number of Power BI PRO and PPU licenses can be reduced drastically.
By leveraging the Embedsy Portal’s built-in auto-pause functionality, organizations with 50 users could save over $4,900 annually compared to traditional Power BI Pro licensing, depending on their specific usage patterns and requirements.
No Power BI Pro or PPU Licenses for External Viewers
One of the standout advantages of the Embedsy Portal is that external viewers don't need any Power BI license at all. Microsoft normally requires a Power BI Pro license for anyone accessing shared reports, which quickly becomes a significant cost burden for teams. With the Embedsy Portal, you can focus on delivering analytics without worrying about per-viewer costs.
Simplified and Competitive Pricing
With Power BI’s price increase, Embedsy becomes a more competitive choice. By moving away from the traditional per-user model, Embedsy aligns better with organizations looking for scalable solutions that grow with their needs. While Microsoft’s pricing is ideal for some, many businesses can benefit from a model that eliminates unnecessary licensing overhead.
The Value of the Embedsy Portal
Beyond cost savings, the Embedsy portal is designed to enhance the user experience and simplify analytics access. With the Embedsy Portal being a web-app, nearly any functionality can be added to it and we are constantly adding new features that are requested by our customers. Being able to add custom functionality is something that we are very proud of. Reach out to us with your specific requirements and we'll see what we can do.
Why Now Is the Time to Consider Embedsy
Microsoft's pricing changes underline how important it is to evaluate alternatives. Power BI remains a market leader, but the per-user model isn't the right fit for every organization. Embedsy offers a scalable, cost-effective solution that aligns with modern business needs — robust analytics without the added financial strain.
Organizations looking to:
- Reduce costs: pay for what you use, without unnecessary licensing fees.
- Expand analytics access: give more employees or external users insights without incurring extra charges.
- Monetize data: increase the impact and value you deliver from the data you already collect and own.
- Strengthen your product and IP: embed insights into your offering to create an experience that keeps customers choosing you.
...will find Embedsy a powerful ally in their analytics journey.
