Struggling to decide between Alteryx vs Tableau Prep?
Today, we’re comparing the two popular analytics platforms, head-to-head.
From data prep features, to pricing & customer support, we’re diving deep into what each tool has to offer, and how they all compare to one another.
Note: For this article, we’ll be focusing specifically on Tableau Prep, as it’s more comparable to Alteryx and Mammoth in terms of data preparation and workflow features. The wider Tableau product, which focuses on data visualization, won’t be covered here.
Video Overview
TL;DR Alteryx vs. Tableau
Alteryx costs $5,195 per year and packs in advanced features like predictive analytics and automation, but it’s pricey. Tableau Prep is more budget-friendly at $70 per month, but only focuses on basic data prep and is specifically for Tableau users.
Ease of Use and Interface
Alteryx, while powerful for handling complex data, isn’t the easiest to use. It can take some time to get the hang of, and is initially challenging to pick up.
Tableau Prep is simple to pick up, especially if you’re already using Tableau for your visuals. But some features, like customizing joins, can feel hidden. Overall, it’s great if you want something basic to clean up data quickly.
Data Connection
Alteryx offers a massive variety of data connectors, allowing you to easily pull in data from almost any source, whether it’s cloud-based, on-premise, or even through APIs.
But, the process of configuring a new connection can be overwhelming.
Tableau Prep focuses on integrating with the Tableau ecosystem, so it connects to any data sources that work within Tableau (which is expansive). But, this limits you if you’re dealing with more complex or less common data formats.
Data Preparation
Alteryx is perfect for handling complex data tasks, with advanced features like predictive analytics and spatial analysis. But if you only need basic prep, it’s overkill.
Tableau Prep is simple and great for cleaning and reshaping data for visualizations in Tableau, but is limited when it comes to more advanced functionality.
Data Automation
Alteryx is built for power users who need to automate complex workflows. It lets you schedule and automate pretty much anything, but can get complicated fast (with a steep learning curve).
Tableau Prep has some basic automation features, like scheduling workflows, but it’s not very flexible, and struggles if you need to automate anything beyond the basics.
Data Analysis
Alteryx is filled with advanced tools like predictive analysis and spatial analysis—perfect for deep, complex analysis, but again, it can be a lot to learn.
Tableau Prep is more focused on getting your data ready for Tableau, so it doesn’t have many built-in analysis features. But, you can always use Tableau directly from it, which is a great bonus.
Data Warehousing
Alteryx connects to all the main external data warehouses, like AWS and Google BigQuery, and can manage complex data pipelines. But, setting it all up is a technical process and takes some time to learn.
Tableau Prep is mainly about prepping data for use within Tableau. It can connect to databases, but it’s not really built for large-scale data warehousing or complex transformations.
Support
Alteryx offers 24/7 email support and phone support during business hours. Their documentation is extensive, and they have a helpful community forum.
Tableau Prep mainly provides email support and a community forum. If you want live chat or phone support, you’ll need a higher-tier plan. Their documentation is decent, but finding specific help can take some digging.
Price
Starting at $4,950/yr, Alteryx is the most expensive, targeting users with the most advanced data needs. They don’t offer any lower-cost tiers, and their pricing can quickly add up.
Tableau Prep starts at $75/user/month, and is bundled with the other tools in the Tableau ecosystem.
Pricing | Alteryx | Tableau Prep |
Starting price | $4,950/year | $75/user/month |
Niche Features
Alteryx has their niche locked in around advanced features. So, you’ll find advanced tools like predictive analytics and spatial analysis, if you need to go deeper with your data.
Tableau Prep has always been focused on its integration with the Tableau ecosystem but doesn’t offer too many advanced features. Mainly, the niche feature you’ll find with Tableau Prep is that it is directly connected to Tableau, offering a smoother workflow.
Comparison Table
Feature | Alteryx | Tableau Prep | Mammoth |
|---|---|---|---|
Ease of Use | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
Data Preparation | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
Advanced Features | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
Integrations | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
Automation | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
Reporting and Analysis | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Support | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
Data Warehouse | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Starting Price | Starts at $4,950/yr | $70/month | $119/month |
Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
Alteryx vs Tableau Prep: Final Thoughts
So should you even bother with Alteryx or Tableau Prep?
Well, Alteryx is a powerhouse with advanced features and extensive integrations, but the price and complexity can make it overkill. So, we’d only suggest going with it if you’re looking for an advanced tool and have no concerns around budget or learning curve.
Tableau Prep is great if you’re already using Tableau for data visualization and just need a simple data prep tool. But, it’s just missing too many features if you need something flexible and advanced.
Want to try out Mammoth before making your final decision? Set up an account in seconds, and play around with our sample data to see how you like it!
Any questions along the way? Just reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Tableau or Alteryx?
Tableau is best for creating visualizations and dashboards, while Alteryx is great for data prep and advanced analytics. If you need to analyze and clean up data, go with Alteryx. If your focus is on presenting data visually, Tableau is the way to go.
What is Alteryx best for?
Alteryx is best for data prep, advanced analytics, and automating complex workflows. It’s great if you need to blend, clean, and analyze large datasets without coding.
What are the disadvantages of Alteryx?
Alteryx can be expensive, especially for smaller teams. It also has a steep learning curve for beginners, and its advanced features can feel overwhelming if you’re only looking for basic data tasks.
Who is Alteryx biggest competitor?
Tableau Prep is one of the biggest competitors, especially when it comes to data prep for visualization. Other notable competitors are Mammoth, Microsoft Power BI, and Trifacta.
