Info on using Power BI desktop

[LuigiTS]

Hi all,

At work, we need to create dashboard to be shared inside the company and outside the company (third party companies).

I downloaded Power BI desktop, I tried to do something but I need some other informations that I was unable to find in the webiste.

1. I guess I can use Power BI desktop for a commercial, non-personal use: I mean, to install Power BI desktop on computers of my company and use it to create dashboards for third party companies. Am I wrong?
2. With Power BI desktop, can I share dashboards inside and outside the company? Are there limitations for the number of shares? Am I free to share on every platform i want (eg: private area of my company's website, third party website etc.) a fully functional dashaboard?
3. I don't understand the differences between Power BI desktop and Power BI, could you please explain them to me? Between the two, what program fits best for my needs?

Thanks a lot!!!

[MattAllington · Accepted solution]

Re 1 and 2, someone who has read the licence agreement will need to confirm, but my understanding is it is free without such restrictions. The answer to 3 tells you why.  Power BI Desktop is designed to build reports. You CAN analyse and distribute them as PBIX Files - like Excel- but this is not the easiest or best solution.  The best way to distribute is via Power BI Service - a cloud based server to securely share the workbooks. There is a free version but if you want well controlled and curated content, then the full Service costs about $10 per user per month. This is dirt cheap (compare with $1,600 for a Tableau licence). So MS is betting that if they make great software, help people access it by making it free to try and use, then soon enough you will buy a subscription for everyone. I am betting they are right. 

[LuigiTS]

Thank you so much MAllington!

I understand that i definitely need Power BI Service, I'm going to try it.