Qlik Sense

Associative-engine self-service BI and dashboards for ERP and operational data.

Updated August 2026 · By the ERP Research Editorial Team · Independent and vendor-neutral.

Works with: SAPOracle
Deployment: Cloud, On-premises
Company size: Mid-market, Enterprise
Pricing: Subscription
Founded: 1993
Headquarters: King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States (founded in Lund, Sweden)

Overview

Qlik Sense is a self-service business intelligence and data visualization platform built on Qlik's patented Associative Engine, which keeps data associations in memory so users can freely explore in any direction and instantly see related and unrelated values across selections. This differs from query-based tools that follow predefined drill paths, and it is a defining characteristic of the product.

Qlik Sense is available as Qlik Cloud Analytics (SaaS) and as a Windows-based client-managed deployment. It connects to a broad set of sources, including SAP systems (R/3, S/4HANA, BW, BW/4HANA) via dedicated SAP connectors, allowing SAP and non-SAP data to be combined in a single associative model. Data is typically loaded and transformed via Qlik's scripting layer, and apps are distributed through hubs, streams, and embedded objects.

The platform includes augmented-analytics capabilities through Insight Advisor for search-based and conversational analytics and automated insight generation, plus machine learning via Qlik Predict (formerly Qlik AutoML) for predictive analytics and what-if scenarios. Qlik also offers Qlik Application Automation and, in its broader portfolio, data integration and reporting services.

Screenshots & demo

Demo video from the vendor's YouTube channel. Screenshots sourced from Qlik.

Modules & capabilities

Qlik Sense covers 25 of 45 capabilities we track in this category

56%

Drag-and-drop dashboard/report authoringSmart visualizations and dashboard authoring
Supported
Interactive filtering, drill-down and cross-filtering
Core strength
Broad chart and visualization library
Core strength
Mobile-optimized dashboardsResponsive dashboards
Supported
Geospatial / map visualizations
Not evidenced
Pixel-perfect / paginated report layoutsQlik Reporting Service for pixel-perfect and tabular reports
Supported
Narrative data storytelling
Not evidenced

“Not evidenced” means our research found no public documentation of this capability — the vendor may still offer it. Confirm on a demo.

Common use cases

Combining SAP and non-SAP data in a single associative model for cross-functional analysis
Free-form exploration of sales, inventory, and finance data
Self-service dashboards for operational KPIs
Predictive analytics and key-driver analysis with Qlik Predict
Embedding interactive analytics into internal or customer applications
Search-based and conversational analytics for non-technical users
Governed multi-tenant analytics across business units

Strengths & considerations

Strengths

Patented Associative Engine enables exploration without predefined query paths
Surfaces excluded/unrelated values that query tools typically hide
Strong SAP connectivity for blending SAP and non-SAP data
Flexible Cloud, client-managed, and hybrid deployment options

Considerations

Scripting and data modeling have a learning curve for new users
Public, list-based pricing is limited; capacity-based plans are quote-driven

ERP integrations

SAPQlik connectors for SAP (R/3, S/4HANA, BW, BW/4HANA)

Prebuilt connector

Reads from ERPSAP R/3 dataS/4HANA tablesBW/BW4HANA cubes

Dedicated Qlik SAP connectors covering R/3, S/4HANA, BW and BW/4HANA, referenced in Qlik's SAP-focused product materials.

Integration docs →

Oracle Fusion CloudQlik Oracle database connector

Open API

Reads from ERPOracle database tables

Generic database connector and Qlik data integration; not evidenced as Oracle Fusion Cloud-specific.

Connector details independently verified against vendor marketplaces and documentation; last checked 2026-08-11.

Pricing

Model

Subscription

Free trial

Yes

Qlik Cloud Analytics is sold via capacity-based and per-user subscription tiers (e.g., Standard, Premium, Enterprise) typically quoted by sales; client-managed licensing is separate. Cost is driven by users, data capacity, and add-on services. Get an independent shortlist with pricing guidance below.

Technical & security

Hosting: SaaS (Qlik Cloud) or self-managed (Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows)
Data residency: US, EU, UK, APAC
Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, GDPR, HIPAA
Mobile app: Yes
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and others

About the vendor

Founded: 1993
Headquarters: King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States (founded in Lund, Sweden)
Employees: ~2,500+
Ownership: Private equity (owned by Thoma Bravo)

Alternatives to Qlik Sense in Embedded BI

DomoCloud BI platform with dashboards, apps, and ERP data connectors.GoodDataEmbedded analytics platform for building dashboards into business applications.LookerGoverned semantic-layer BI and embedded dashboards over warehoused ERP data.Microsoft Power BISelf-service dashboards with native connectors for Dynamics 365 and other ERPs.Phocas AnalyticsERP-focused self-service BI for distribution, manufacturing, and retail.SAP Analytics CloudCloud BI, planning, and dashboards built around SAP S/4HANA data.

Qlik Sense — frequently asked questions

What makes the Associative Engine different?

It holds data associations in memory so users can explore freely in any direction, and it highlights both related values and excluded (unrelated) values for a selection, rather than following predefined query paths.

Does Qlik Sense connect to SAP?

Yes. Qlik provides dedicated SAP connectors for R/3, S/4HANA, BW, and BW/4HANA, enabling SAP and non-SAP data to be combined in one model.

Is Qlik Sense available as SaaS?

Yes. It is offered as Qlik Cloud Analytics (SaaS) and as a client-managed Windows deployment, with hybrid options.

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