Last updated on
Company health
Ratings
BIRT description
BIRT is a free, open-source tool that lets you turn your company's data into reports, charts, and dashboards. Designed to be flexible, you can embed these visualizations into your websites or applications. If you're comfortable with a bit of technical customization, BIRT offers a lot of control over how your data is presented.
Who is BIRT best for
BIRT is an open-source reporting and data visualization tool ideal for developers working with Java. Users appreciate its flexibility and integration capabilities with systems like IBM Tririga. However, some find it difficult to debug and lacking comprehensive documentation. BIRT offers a range of features including interactive visualizations, customizable dashboards, and various report templates. It's a free tool best suited for those comfortable with technical customization.
-
Best fit for enterprise companies.
-
Suitable for businesses seeking a free, open-source reporting tool.
BIRT features
| Supported BIRT supports interactive visualizations like drill-down, filtering, and tooltips. |
| Supported BIRT supports creating dashboards by combining multiple charts and visualizations. |
| Supported BIRT offers customization of colors, fonts, layouts, and supports annotations through dynamic elements. |
| Supported BIRT offers various pre-built report templates for common use cases like listings and charts. |
| Supported BIRT can generate reports with charts, tables, and summaries, customizable and exportable to various formats. |
BIRT reviews
We've summarised 31 BIRT reviews (BIRT G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.
- Open-source and free, offering flexibility and control over data presentation.
- Integrates well with various systems, including IBM Tririga, Maximo, and SuccessFactors LMS.
- Flexible and can connect to different data sources, creating various report types.
- Offers powerful features like multi-pass aggregates and XML data sources.
- Easy to create and modify simple reports with basic SQL and JavaScript knowledge.
- Difficult to debug and poorly documented, especially with Tririga integration.
- Steep learning curve, especially compared to other BI tools like Power BI.
- Limited UI and requires a revamp for better user experience.
- Can be too sensitive, minor changes can break reports, requiring careful coding.
- Report load errors are not helpful for debugging.
BIRT pricing
The commentary is based on 3 reviews from BIRT G2 reviews.
BIRT is a free and open-source reporting tool, making it a budget-friendly option for users. Reviewers appreciate its cost-effectiveness, especially for deploying reports in resource-constrained environments. While some express concern about slowed development, its free availability remains a significant advantage.
Users sentiment
BIRT alternatives
Google Data StudioBetter for non-developers seeking an easy-to-use interface for creating and sharing reports and dashboards. Broader industry applicability. Has more momentum based on LinkedIn employee growth. A strong BIRT competitor and Google Data Studio alternative for those prioritizing ease of use and Google integrations.Read more
PopSQLBetter fit for collaborative SQL work. Geared towards data teams in software companies and has broader industry applicability. Growing faster than BIRT. Easier to use, especially for beginners, but the free version has limitations.Read more
ExploBetter for embedding interactive dashboards and reports directly into software products. It has stronger customer support and faster implementation. Explo is growing faster than BIRT, a BIRT competitor.Read more
Google Chart ToolsEasier to use and better for a wider range of industries. This BIRT competitor is growing faster and has better ratings. It offers a wider variety of chart types.Read more
CanvaBetter for non-technical users creating marketing materials or social media content. Simpler interface with drag-and-drop functionality. Wider industry applicability. Has more momentum currently.Read more
Chart.JsBetter for users seeking simple interactive charts for websites. Easier to use and implement. A popular BIRT alternative for basic charting needs.Read more
BIRT FAQ
What is BIRT and what does BIRT do?
BIRT is a free, open-source reporting and data visualization tool. It allows developers to create reports, charts, and dashboards embeddable into applications or websites. BIRT offers extensive customization options, especially for those familiar with Java. However, it has a steep learning curve and can be challenging to debug.
How does BIRT integrate with other tools?
BIRT integrates with Java applications and various data sources. It's known for its compatibility with IBM products like Tririga, Maximo, and SuccessFactors LMS, offering flexibility for diverse reporting needs.
What the main competitors of BIRT?
Alternatives to BIRT include Jaspersoft Studio, Pentaho, and FineReport for users seeking similar reporting functionalities. For those prioritizing data visualization, consider options like Tableau or Power BI.
Is BIRT legit?
BIRT is a legitimate, open-source reporting tool. It's safe and free to use, offering flexibility for developers comfortable with customization. However, users note a steep learning curve and occasional debugging challenges.
How much does BIRT cost?
BIRT is an open-source technology, so the software itself is free to download and use. However, related services, support, or add-ons may have associated costs. There is no pricing information available for these potential costs.
Is BIRT customer service good?
BIRT's customer service receives mixed reviews. While some users appreciate the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team, others note a lack of official support, especially with third-party integrations. This suggests that user experience with customer service may vary.
Reviewed by
Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.
Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.