---
description: Compare Tableau vs Columns. Learn more about each of the software’s price, features, and helpful software reviews for South African business users.
image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/capterra/og_logo-e5a8c001ed0bd1bb922639230fcea71a.png?auto=format%2Cenhance%2Ccompress
title: Compare Tableau vs Columns - Capterra South Africa 2026
---

Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [KPI Software](/directory/32626/kpi/software) > [Tableau \<span\>vs\</span\> Columns](https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/77260/1030927/tableau/vs/columns)

# Compare Tableau vs Columns

Canonical: https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/77260/1030927/tableau/vs/columns

> Detailed comparison between Tableau and Columns. Check ratings, reviews, pricing, and features to make the best decision for your business.

-----

## At a Glance

| Metric | Tableau | Columns |
| **Overall rating** | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
| **Total Reviews** | 2349 | 13 |
| **Starting Price** | US$15,00 | - |
| **Free Trial** | Yes | No |
| **Free Version** | Yes | No |
| **Deployment** | Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Mac (Desktop), Windows (Desktop), Windows (On-Premise), Linux (On-Premise) | Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Mac (Desktop), Windows (Desktop), Linux (Desktop), Chromebook (Desktop) |
| **Support** | Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, 24/7 (Live rep), Chat | Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Chat |
| **Training** | In Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos | In Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos |

## Best for

### Tableau

Tableau is used by analysts, data and IT leaders, business leaders, developers, marketing departments, finance departments, sales teams, and support and service teams.

### Columns

Target Market: Professionals in data analytics and BI, including:&#10;&#10;Data consultants \&amp; freelancers&#10;Data storytellers \&amp; scientists&#10;Data \&amp; business analysts&#10;SMB owners&#10;Media publishers

## Key features

### Tableau

- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Ad hoc Query
- Ad hoc Reporting
- Collaboration Tools
- Customizable Dashboard
- Dashboard
- Data Connectors
- Data Discovery
- Data Management
- OLAP
- Predictive Analytics
- Real-Time Analytics
- Real-Time Data
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Scheduled/Automated Reports
- Search/Filter
- Visual Analytics
- Visual Discovery

### Columns

- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Ad hoc Query
- Ad hoc Reporting
- Collaboration Tools
- Customizable Dashboard
- Dashboard
- Data Connectors
- Data Discovery
- Data Management
- OLAP
- Predictive Analytics
- Real-Time Analytics
- Real-Time Data
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Scheduled/Automated Reports
- Search/Filter
- Visual Analytics
- Visual Discovery

## Links

- [View Tableau Profile](https://www.capterra.co.za/software/77260/tableau)
- [View Columns Profile](https://www.capterra.co.za/software/1030927/columns)
- [View Original Comparison](https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/77260/1030927/tableau/vs/columns)

-----

## Structured Data

<script type="application/ld+json">
  {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"name":"Compare Tableau vs Columns - Capterra South Africa 2026","description":"Compare Tableau vs Columns. Learn more about each of the software’s price, features, and helpful software reviews for South African business users.","url":"https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/77260/1030927/tableau/vs/columns","about":[{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/77260/tableau#software"},{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/1030927/columns#software"}],"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/77260/1030927/tableau/vs/columns#breadcrumblist"},"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/77260/1030927/tableau/vs/columns#webpage","@type":["WebPage","CollectionPage"],"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/#website"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/#organization"}},{"name":"Tableau","description":"Tableau is a business intelligence and analytics platform that helps organizations turn data into actionable insights. The solution connects to various data sources, from databases to spreadsheets, and creates interactive visualizations through a drag-and-drop interface. Built-in visual best practices make it accessible to users of all skill levels, enabling them to explore data and uncover trends.\n\nThe platform combines analytics with ease of use, offering a flexible environment for data exploration and visualization, even offline. AI-based insights help users make informed, data-driven decisions. The open architecture supports integration with other systems, while cloud and on-premises deployment options provide flexibility.\n\nA community of users and developers shares best practices, empowering organizations to understand the data and improve decision-making. Tableau provides tools for visual storytelling and collaboration, helping teams work together on data analysis projects.","image":"https://gdm-catalog-fmapi-prod.imgix.net/ProductScreenshot/6590950f-3af9-439b-913f-a65be51b1d7d.png","url":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/77260/tableau","@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/77260/tableau#software","@type":"SoftwareApplication","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/#organization"},"applicationCategory":"BusinessApplication","aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":4.6,"bestRating":5,"ratingCount":2349},"offers":{"price":"15","@type":"Offer","priceCurrency":"USD"},"operatingSystem":"Cloud, Apple, Windows, Windows on premise, Linux on premise"},{"name":"Columns","description":"Columns is an AI powered data automation platform, it plugs in your data workflow by connecting to your existing tools like spreadsheets, databases, tools or normal files including images or pdfs. \n\nYou can simply build data flows in visual canvas using plain language to clean, transform, aggregate and join datasets till final visual results. No code or technical skills required.\n\nYou can set your data flow on schedule so that it auto runs in sync to update the results in sharing. You can also subscribe any interesting data points to get alerts via email, Slack or webhook.","image":"https://gdm-catalog-fmapi-prod.imgix.net/ProductScreenshot/6c25c2e5-d4e3-4a19-ae38-1622ebf90017.webp","url":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/1030927/columns","@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/1030927/columns#software","@type":"SoftwareApplication","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/#organization"},"applicationCategory":"BusinessApplication","aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":4.5,"bestRating":5,"ratingCount":13},"operatingSystem":"Cloud, Apple, Windows, Linux, Chrome"},{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/77260/1030927/tableau/vs/columns#breadcrumblist","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"name":"Home","position":1,"item":"/","@type":"ListItem"},{"name":"KPI Software","position":2,"item":"/directory/32626/kpi/software","@type":"ListItem"},{"name":"Tableau vs Columns","position":3,"item":"https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/77260/1030927/tableau/vs/columns","@type":"ListItem"}]}]}
</script>