Comparison

Microsoft Power BI vs SWIG Explorer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Microsoft Power BI

Access and analyze your business data from anywhere with powerful mobile tools. Visualize key metrics, filter information, and share insights on the go. Get real-time notifications and ask questions of your data with a virtual analyst.

Highlights
  • View data in one place
  • Explore, filter, and focus data
  • Annotate and share reports
  • Set data alerts and notifications
  • Q&A virtual analyst for insights
  • Secure on-premises data access
  • Scan barcodes/QR codes for data
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Access your data from anywhere. Get notifications, annotate and share, and dive deep into your data with powerful features for decision making on the go.    Highlights:    • View all your important data in one place    • Tap to explore, filter, and focus on what’s most important     • Easily annotate and share reports and visualizations      • Set data alerts and get real-time notifications     • Ask questions in your own words and get meaningful insights into your data with the Q&A virtual analyst    • Securely access your on-premises data     • Scan barcodes and QR codes to easily track inventory and get real-world data in context    • Start exploring your Power BI data instantly, with no setup needed    Get the full Power BI suite and never miss a beat with Power BI Desktop, the Power BI web service, and Power BI Mobile! By installing this app, you agree to the terms at: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2178902

About

SWIG Explorer

Features
Read full description

The SWIG Explorer mobile app is a service that allows industry sales forces to track and manage their product portfolios at Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores and warehouses. SWIG Explorer is a beefed up version of SWIG Alerts, an industry leading mobile app. It is universally available for both iPad and iPhone. SWIG Explorer requires a User ID and password, both of which are issued by SWIG. Please contact SWIG if you wish to receive access.

Screenshots

Microsoft Power BI4 screens
SWIG Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is chart position: Microsoft Power BI at #195 against SWIG Explorer's unranked. Microsoft Power BI also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). SWIG Explorer's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microsoft Power BI ships an update fortnightly, SWIG Explorer monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Microsoft Power BI versus SWIG Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft Power BISWIG Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (97K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews46.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings97K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#195 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size215 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationSWIG - Spirits Wine Information Group.

Bugs and requests

Microsoft Power BI

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Frequent login issues and SSO problems
  • Visualizations not rendering correctly
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between reports
  • Drill-through functionality not working as expected
  • Scaling and layout issues on iPad and larger devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to refresh data and reports remotely
  • Enhanced navigation and bookmarking features
  • Improved support for touch-based interactions
  • Better optimization for smaller mobile screens
  • Integration with other Microsoft 365 apps

SWIG Explorer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Microsoft Power BI

No in-app purchases

None

SWIG Explorer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Microsoft Power BI free?
Microsoft Power BI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SWIG Explorer free?
SWIG Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Microsoft Power BI or SWIG Explorer have ads?
Neither Microsoft Power BI nor SWIG Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Power BI or SWIG Explorer?
Microsoft Power BI ships an update fortnightly, and SWIG Explorer monthly. Most recently, Microsoft Power BI was updated on October 17, 2026 and SWIG Explorer on October 7, 2026.

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