Custom Dashboard Development: Costs, Providers & Tips 2026
What does a professional dashboard cost? Power BI, Tableau or custom solution? Everything about providers, costs and the right choice.
Jonas Höttler
Custom Dashboard Development: Costs, Providers & Tips 2026
You want to create a dashboard but don't know where to start? Power BI, Tableau, Looker or a custom solution? This guide shows you all options, realistic costs and what to look out for.
Table of Contents
- Dashboard Types Overview
- Costs: What Does a Dashboard Cost?
- The Best Tools 2026
- DIY vs. Agency: What's Better?
- FAQ
Dashboard Types Overview
By Purpose
| Dashboard Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Dashboard | Overview for management | Revenue, KPIs, trends |
| Operational Dashboard | Daily updates for teams | Orders, tickets, production |
| Analytical Dashboard | Deep data analysis | Customer behavior, cohort analysis |
| Reporting Dashboard | Automated standard reports | Monthly reports, quarterly evaluations |
Costs: What Does a Dashboard Cost?
Cost Overview by Approach
| Approach | One-time | Monthly | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Service (DIY) | €0 | €10-100/user | Simple requirements |
| Template customization | €1,000-3,000 | €10-50/user | Quick start |
| Custom development | €5,000-50,000 | €50-200 | Special requirements |
| Enterprise solution | €50,000+ | €500+ | Corporations |
Sample Calculations
Example 1: Sales Dashboard
- Data sources: CRM + ERP
- Features: Pipeline, revenue, forecasts
- Tool: Power BI
- Cost: €5,000 one-time + €20/user/month
Example 2: E-Commerce Analytics
- Data sources: Shop, Google Analytics, Ads
- Features: Revenue, conversion, customer behavior
- Tool: Looker Studio (free) + custom backend
- Cost: €8,000 one-time + €100/month hosting
The Best Dashboard Tools 2026
Power BI (Microsoft)
Cost: €9-20/user/month Best for: Microsoft environments, SMBs
Tableau
Cost: €15-70/user/month Best for: Data-driven companies, complex analyses
Looker Studio (Google)
Cost: Free Best for: Marketing, startups, Google environments
Metabase
Cost: Free (Open Source) - €500/month (Cloud) Best for: Tech teams, startups
DIY vs. Agency: What's Better?
Do It Yourself
Recommended when:
- Budget under €5,000
- Simple requirements
- Tech-savvy employees
Hire an Agency
Recommended when:
- Complex data sources
- Custom requirements
- Business-critical application
Conclusion
A professional dashboard is an investment that pays off quickly. Whether DIY or agency - it depends on your resources and requirements.
Rules of thumb:
- Budget under €5,000: DIY with Power BI or Looker Studio
- €5,000-20,000: Agency with standard tool
- Over €20,000: Consider custom solution
At Balane Tech, we create dashboards that are actually used - from simple KPI overviews to complex analytics platforms. Contact us for a free consultation.
FAQ
Which dashboard tool is the best?
Depends on your requirements. Power BI for Microsoft environments, Tableau for complex analyses, Looker Studio for marketing and Google integration.
How long does it take to create a dashboard?
Simple dashboard: 1-2 weeks. Medium complexity: 4-6 weeks. Complex solution: 2-3 months.
Can I expand my dashboard later?
Yes, but plan for extensibility from the start. Clean data models and modular structure make later changes easier.
