Power BI Premium is an enterprise-grade data analytics solution designed to provide organizations with enhanced performance, scalability, and advanced AI-driven analytics. It offers dedicated cloud computing resources, improved security, and greater flexibility compared to Power BI Pro.
This article explores the key features, benefits, pricing, use cases, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Power BI Premium.
What is Power BI Premium?
Power BI Premium is a licensing option that offers dedicated cloud capacity, advanced AI capabilities, paginated reports, and on-premises Power BI Report Server. It is designed for organizations that require large-scale data processing, enhanced performance, and enterprise-level security.
Power BI Premium is available in two licensing models:
- Power BI Premium per User (PPU) – A more affordable, user-based licensing model.
- Power BI Premium per Capacity – A dedicated resource-based model for large enterprises.
Key Features of Power BI Premium
1. Dedicated Cloud Capacity
- Provides better performance and scalability with dedicated compute power.
- Ensures fast data refresh and improved responsiveness in Power BI reports.
2. Paginated Reports
- Supports pixel-perfect, printable reports in Power BI Report Builder.
- Ideal for financial statements, invoices, and official documents.
3. AI & Advanced Analytics
- Includes AutoML, Cognitive Services, and Azure Machine Learning integration.
- Enables predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and automated insights.
4. On-Premises Deployment with Power BI Report Server
- Allows organizations to host Power BI reports on-premises.
- Provides better governance and compliance for sensitive data.
5. Larger Data Model Support
- Supports 100GB+ datasets in Power BI, compared to 1GB in Power BI Pro.
- Enables real-time streaming of large datasets.
6. Enhanced Dataflows & Data Refresh
- Up to 48 scheduled data refreshes per day, compared to 8 in Power BI Pro.
- Incremental refresh reduces processing time for large datasets.
7. Improved Security & Compliance
- Includes Microsoft Purview for data governance.
- Supports row-level security (RLS) and object-level security (OLS).
8. Unlimited Distribution & Sharing
- Share reports with users inside and outside your organization.
- No need for every recipient to have a Power BI Pro license.
Power BI Premium Pricing
Power BI Premium is available in two pricing tiers:
1. Power BI Premium Per User (PPU)
- Cost: $20 per user/month
- Best for: Small teams needing Premium features at an individual level
2. Power BI Premium Per Capacity
- Starts at $4,995 per month (P1 capacity)
- Higher capacities (P2, P3, etc.) available for larger data workloads
- Best for: Large enterprises requiring dedicated cloud capacity
Pricing may vary based on region and licensing agreements.
Benefits of Power BI Premium
✅ Scalability – Dedicated capacity for large-scale analytics. ✅ Performance – Faster query performance and reduced data refresh times. ✅ Advanced AI & Analytics – Includes AutoML, Cognitive Services, and Azure ML. ✅ Cost Efficiency – Reduces need for individual Pro licenses for report viewing. ✅ Hybrid Flexibility – Deploy on-premises with Power BI Report Server. ✅ Data Governance – Ensures secure access and compliance with enterprise policies. ✅ Unlimited Report Sharing – Users without Pro licenses can access shared reports.
Use Cases of Power BI Premium
📊 Enterprise-Level Business Intelligence
Large organizations use Power BI Premium for scalable, real-time analytics across departments.
💰 Financial Reporting & Compliance
Finance teams generate pixel-perfect paginated reports with sensitive financial data.
🏥 Healthcare & Compliance Analytics
Hospitals and clinics leverage row-level security for patient data protection.
🏢 Retail & Supply Chain Optimization
Retail businesses analyze inventory trends and customer behavior with large datasets.
🚀 AI-Powered Predictive Insights
Data scientists utilize AutoML and AI-powered analytics for business forecasting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between Power BI Pro and Power BI Premium?
Power BI Pro is a user-based license with shared cloud capacity, while Power BI Premium provides dedicated resources, supports larger datasets, and enables enterprise-scale analytics.
2. Do I need Power BI Pro if I have Power BI Premium?
If your organization has Power BI Premium (per capacity), users only need a free Power BI license to view shared reports. However, report creators still need Power BI Pro or PPU.
3. Can Power BI Premium be used on-premises?
Yes, Power BI Report Server allows organizations to host reports on-premises, ensuring compliance and data sovereignty.
4. How does Power BI Premium improve performance?
- Dedicated cloud resources prevent slowdowns from shared capacity.
- Larger dataset support (100GB+ vs. 1GB in Pro).
- Higher refresh rates and incremental refresh support.
5. Is Power BI Premium worth it for small businesses?
For small businesses, Power BI Premium per User (PPU) at $20/month may be a cost-effective option. However, Per Capacity licensing is better for large enterprises.
6. What are the requirements for Power BI Premium licensing?
- PPU: Any user can purchase a Premium Per User license.
- Per Capacity: Organizations need to buy minimum P1 capacity ($4,995/month) from Microsoft.
7. Can I share reports with external users in Power BI Premium?
Yes, external users can access shared reports without needing a Pro license if the report is hosted in a Premium capacity workspace.
8. Does Power BI Premium include AI capabilities?
Yes, Power BI Premium offers AutoML, Cognitive Services, and AI-driven insights for automated predictions and anomaly detection.
Conclusion
Power BI Premium is an essential tool for enterprises that require scalable, high-performance, AI-powered analytics. Whether through dedicated capacity or per-user licensing, it offers significant cost efficiency, performance enhancements, and enterprise-grade security.
Organizations looking for better data governance, AI-powered insights, and scalable reporting solutions should consider Power BI Premium for their analytics needs.
🚀 Upgrade to Power BI Premium today and unlock the full potential of enterprise BI!