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Sylus vs Looker: which one fits your team?
Looker is built for data teams who build governed models in LookML. Sylus is built for everyone else: ask questions in plain English and get answers and dashboards in seconds.
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How the two tools compare on the things that matter to teams who just want answers from their data.
Who it’s built for
Data teams and LookML developers who build governed models and reports for everyone else
Execs, managers, and business teams who need answers without a data team in the middle
How you get answers
Model the data in LookML, then explore and build dashboards on top
Ask a question in plain English and get an answer in seconds
Time to first dashboard
Weeks to months of warehouse setup and LookML modeling
Minutes. Connect your systems and generate a dashboard from one prompt
Skills required
LookML and SQL for developers, plus Explore training for everyone else
None. If you can type a question, you can use Sylus
Follow-up questions
New questions often need LookML changes from a developer
Ask follow-ups in the same conversation, or straight from Slack
Connecting your data
Queries SQL databases and warehouses; other sources must be loaded into one first
500+ one-click connectors for accounting, ERP, CRM, and ad platforms
Pricing model
Platform edition plus per-user licenses (Developer, Standard, Viewer)
Custom quote based on your data sources and their types, with a free 30-day proof of concept
Security
Hosted on Google Cloud, with roles and row-level access controls
SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, role-based permissions, and self-hosted deployment in select cases
Sharing & alerts
Scheduled deliveries to email, Slack, and more, with data alerts
Scheduled reports, Slack alerts, share links, embeds, and CSV/PDF export
Looker is a trademark of Google LLC. Comparison based on publicly available information; features and pricing may change.
What getting answers looks like when anyone on your team can ask
Ask a question, get an answer. No tickets, no SQL, no waiting. Type what you want to know in plain English and Sylus answers in seconds.
Your analysts think, Sylus pulls. Ad hoc requests, quick numbers, data prep, all handled. Your team gets back to the strategic work that actually moves the business.
All your data, one conversation. Sylus connects to your accounting, ERP, ad platforms, and CRMs, bringing everything together. No more stitching spreadsheets.
Live data, current answers. No stale dashboards or outdated reports. Sylus works off what's happening right now, not last quarter.
Describe what you want to track and let Sylus generate a custom dashboard for you in minutes.
Both are good tools. They’re built for different people and different ways of working.
Choose Looker if
Looker
You have a data team that wants a governed semantic layer defined in code.
Your data already lives in a cloud warehouse like BigQuery or Snowflake.
You’re embedding analytics into your own product at scale.
Choose Sylus if
Sylus
Your execs and managers need answers without waiting on a data team.
Your data lives across many tools: accounting, ERP, CRM, and ad platforms.
You want dashboards in minutes, not a months-long BI project.
You want to try it free on your own data before you commit.
Ryan Johnson
Head of Operations
We used to wait days for a simple report. Now my team gets answers in seconds. Sylus didn't just save us time, it completely changed how we make decisions.
Michael Brown
Head of Analytics
I was skeptical at first, we've tried BI tools before. But Sylus is different. It actually understands the question you're asking instead of making you learn its language.
David Martinez
VP of Finance
Our finance team was drowning in ad hoc requests. Sylus took that off their plate overnight. The numbers are accurate, the answers are fast, and my team finally has time to think strategically.
John Smith
Marekting Director
We connect all our ad platforms and Sylus pulls everything together in one place. No more jumping between tabs and spreadsheets to figure out what's working.
Ahmed Alrachdi
Revenue Operations Manager
The best part is I don't need to file a ticket anymore. I just ask the question and get the answer. It sounds small but it changed everything about how fast we move.
David Martinez
Head of Data
We spent two years building dashboards that nobody used. Sylus replaced all of that in a week. Now people actually look at the data because they can just ask for what they need.
Karim Mustafa
CEO
I used to walk into Monday meetings without the numbers I needed. Now I ask Sylus on Sunday night and show up with the full picture. It's that simple.
Ryan Johnson
Head of Operations
I used to rely on three different people to get a single number. Now I ask Sylus and have it before my coffee is ready. It sounds like an exaggeration but it's not.
Your data is in safe hands
This includes state-of-the-art encryption, safe and reliable infrastructure partners, and independently verified security controls.
SOC 2 Type II compliant
Sylus has undergone a Service Organization Controls audit (SOC 2 Type II)
HIPAA compliant
Privacy & security measures to ensure that PHI is appropriately safeguarded.
Permissions & governance
Provision users, enforce permissions, & implement robust governance.
IP protection policy
Neither Sylus nor our model partners train models on customer data.
Self-hosted deployment
In select cases, deploy in your own air-gapped environment.
Secure connections
SSL and pass-through OAuth available.
