Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

The Power BI Data Visualization World Championships is back! Get ahead of the game and start preparing now! Learn more

Reply
Anonymous
Not applicable

Workspace vs App

There seems to be so much out that that beats around the bush around what's the difference between a workspace and an app in power bi. 

 

What is really different between them? I know you can both share with users and allow different level of privlidges. But why choose one over the other?

 

 

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
Aron_Moore
Solution Specialist
Solution Specialist

An App is for users/consumption where the workspace is where the app is created and where authors collaborate (can't have an app without a workspace).

 

You can technically use/consume reports in a workspace, but you'll run the risk of changes, deletions, etc. App is read only.

View solution in original post

2 REPLIES 2
andres777
Advocate III
Advocate III

Power BI App is an interface that allows you to List/Organize finalized reports you would like your users to run, it also allows you to include Paginated Reports (+SSRS) and other documents like PowerPoint, web links and Videos, The final interface will look cleaner and it's safer, as all users will have read-only rights.

The dashboard was meant for consolidating Power BI graphical dashboards Tiles in one report, which can come handy to display summaries from multiple dashboards.
It does not handle Paginated Reports. So 2 different uses... That's how we are using them in our corporation for 2500 users.
update ...
This option is coming to the Power BI solution, I've seen efforts from MS to integrate the two types of reports dashboards and Paginated Reports...

Workspaces vs PowerBI App...
My Power BI Analogy : think of it as when you visit a restaurant...
  Workspace     = Kitchen Area (messy, not pretty, very loud... where developers work)
  Power BI App = Restaurant Sitting Area (Pretty, safe, good music, better experience to consume the final product)

Aron_Moore
Solution Specialist
Solution Specialist

An App is for users/consumption where the workspace is where the app is created and where authors collaborate (can't have an app without a workspace).

 

You can technically use/consume reports in a workspace, but you'll run the risk of changes, deletions, etc. App is read only.

Helpful resources

Announcements
Power BI DataViz World Championships

Power BI Dataviz World Championships

The Power BI Data Visualization World Championships is back! Get ahead of the game and start preparing now!

December 2025 Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - December 2025

Check out the December 2025 Power BI Holiday Recap!

FabCon Atlanta 2026 carousel

FabCon Atlanta 2026

Join us at FabCon Atlanta, March 16-20, for the ultimate Fabric, Power BI, AI and SQL community-led event. Save $200 with code FABCOMM.