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Marketing · head to head

Google Analytics vs SAP BusinessObjects

Google Analytics logo

Google Analytics

Marketing

Get to know your customers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SAP BusinessObjects logo

SAP BusinessObjects

Business Intelligence

Enterprise business intelligence suite

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Analytics has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Analytics data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires; SAP BusinessObjects sAP BusinessObjects Private Cloud Edition is listed on UK G-Cloud 14 as a Cloud software service by SAP (UK) Limited titled 'SAP Business Objects Private Cloud Edition', alongside a reseller listing from NTT DATA Business Solutions; the G-Cloud search results describe it as subscription-based but show no per-user or per-month figure in the listing summary
  • They diverge on capability: Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, SAP BusinessObjects covers Crystal Reports.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Analytics and SAP BusinessObjects actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Analytics and SAP BusinessObjects differ
AttributeGoogle AnalyticsSAP BusinessObjects
Starting priceFree$400/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, Desktop, Mobile
CategoryMarketingBusiness Intelligence
Founded19981972

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Analytics

  • Real-time analytics
  • Audience insights
  • Acquisition tracking
  • Behavior flow
  • Conversion tracking
  • Custom reports
  • Mobile analytics
  • E-commerce tracking

Only in SAP BusinessObjects

  • Crystal Reports
  • Web Intelligence
  • Lumira
  • Analysis for Office
  • Live Office
  • SAP HANA
  • SAP ERP
  • Oracle

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Analytics

  • Website and web application analyticsnot SAP BusinessObjects
  • Event tracking and user behaviour analysisnot SAP BusinessObjects
  • Traffic source and conversion trackingnot SAP BusinessObjects

SAP BusinessObjects

  • Enterprise reportingnot Google Analytics
  • Executive dashboardsnot Google Analytics
  • Regulatory compliancenot Google Analytics
  • Strategic planningnot Google Analytics
  • Operational analyticsnot Google Analytics

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Analytics

  • Data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires
  • Large and XL properties capped at 2-month data retention only
  • Age, gender, and interest data always expire after 2 months regardless of retention settings
  • Free tier does not include GA360 advanced features

SAP BusinessObjects

  • SAP BusinessObjects Private Cloud Edition is listed on UK G-Cloud 14 as a Cloud software service by SAP (UK) Limited titled 'SAP Business Objects Private Cloud Edition', alongside a reseller listing from NTT DATA Business Solutions; the G-Cloud search results describe it as subscription-based but show no per-user or per-month figure in the listing summary

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Analytics

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Analytics review.

SAP BusinessObjects

$400/month
  • Standard$400/month
    • Core BI Tools
    • Web Intelligence
    • Crystal Reports
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Full Suite
    • Advanced Features
    • Premium Support

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Analytics if

  • You need real-time analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want audience insights.
Google Analytics review

Choose SAP BusinessObjects if

  • You need crystal reports.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want web intelligence.
SAP BusinessObjects review

Questions people ask

Is Google Analytics or SAP BusinessObjects better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Analytics starts at Free and SAP BusinessObjects at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Analytics or SAP BusinessObjects?
Google Analytics has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Analytics and $400/month for SAP BusinessObjects.
Does Google Analytics or SAP BusinessObjects run on more platforms?
Google Analytics runs on Web. SAP BusinessObjects runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Google Analytics for free?
Yes. Google Analytics has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SAP BusinessObjects starts at $400/month.
What is Google Analytics best used for?
Google Analytics is most often used for website and web application analytics, event tracking and user behaviour analysis, traffic source and conversion tracking. Of those, website and web application analytics and event tracking and user behaviour analysis are not what SAP BusinessObjects is typically brought in for.
What can Google Analytics do that SAP BusinessObjects cannot?
Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Acquisition tracking, Behavior flow. SAP BusinessObjects covers Crystal Reports, Web Intelligence, Lumira, Analysis for Office.
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