Forum Discussion
Licensing for Non-Publishing PBIRS Desktop Users
I'm looking to learn about license requirements for the Power BI Report Server(PBIRS). Using a scenario, here's what is confirmed from my understanding:
- Organization had a PBI Report Server licensed by SQL Server Enterprise Edition with Software Assurance.
- Users who publish to the Report Server need a Power BI Pro license. Users who only consume reports do not require a Power BI Pro license.
Here's what I can't find clarified in official Microsoft documentation:
- User in the organization downloads "Power BI Desktop Optimized for Report Server". Nothing is published to the Report Server or the Power BI Service. The user may send the file to others in the organization, or send report screenshots.
Does anybody know if the above user requires a Power BI Pro license? If so, is there any Microsoft documentation to clarify/confirm?
Asked this question on the Desktop forum, as it really addresses the Desktop client: https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Licensing-for-Non-Publishing-Desktop-Report-Server-Version-Users/m-p/602517#M286710
To summarize, Microsoft used vague language addressing this. If you want to ensure you're in compliance, give a Power BI Pro license to anybody "sharing" Power BI reports. "Sharing" could mean sending reports via email.
5 Replies
Asked this question on the Desktop forum, as it really addresses the Desktop client: https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Licensing-for-Non-Publishing-Desktop-Report-Server-Version-Users/m-p/602517#M286710
To summarize, Microsoft used vague language addressing this. If you want to ensure you're in compliance, give a Power BI Pro license to anybody "sharing" Power BI reports. "Sharing" could mean sending reports via email.
adrez86Helper I
I feel like there is some confusion on this. If you have PBIRS through SQL Enterprise then you don't need any additional licensing. PBIRS is an in house server and not on Microsoft's cloud service. You don't need to buy any PowerBI Pro licenses to use PBIRS.
Incorrect.
https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/
"A Power BI Pro license is required to publish content to Power BI Report Server."