As We Head Into 2026: The BI Trends Every Data Team Should Recognize
The BI market has reset.
AI, warehouse-native compute, and embedded analytics have changed what teams expect from BI, both for internal usage and customer-facing products.
As organizations modernize, one pattern is clear:
Momentum has shifted to Sigma, Omni, and Domo.
These tools are not interchangeable. They serve different architectures, different operating models, and different levels of data maturity.
This is our practical, 2026-ready view of what’s working and why.
Sigma
Warehouse-Native BI for Teams Building a Real Foundation
Sigma remains one of the strongest options for organizations that want governed, scalable analytics that live directly on the warehouse.
Why teams choose Sigma:
- True warehouse-native compute (no extracts, no copies)
- Spreadsheet-like interface with real modeling depth
- Best-in-class governed embedded analytics
- Database write-back via input tables
- AI Apps that integrate workflows directly with warehouse data
- Solid NLP and AI features for internal teams
Sigma is a strong fit when you need:
- Governed self-service that scales
- Finance, planning, and executive reporting
- Unified metrics with transparent lineage
- Embedded dashboards with granular permissions
If you want the safest “do it right the first time” BI foundation, Sigma is a very strong choice.
Omni
The Fastest Path to AI Querying and Embedded Product Analytics
If embedded analytics or NLQ needs to feel like a real product experience, Omni is leading the field.
Why teams are choosing Omni:
- Best-in-class NLP querying today
- Native dbt integration with a seamless semantic layer experience
- Multi-tenant embedded analytics
- Developer-first APIs and workflows
- Flexible, governed semantics
- Rapid iteration for data and product teams
Omni excels when you need:
- A clean, version-controlled semantic layer
- Embedded analytics inside SaaS products
- Multi-tenant delivery
- AI-native exploration for business users
If embedded analytics, product intelligence, or NLQ are priorities, Omni is neck-and-neck with Sigma on innovation.
Domo
The Underrated All-In-One Platform for Lean Teams
Domo is often misunderstood as “just BI.” It’s not.
It’s a full analytics platform in a single system:
- Ingestion
- Transformation
- Orchestration
- BI
- Automation
- Apps
- Governance
For teams that want fewer vendors, faster implementation, and one system to operate end-to-end analytics, Domo is often the most practical choice.
Domo shines when you need:
- One platform from ingestion through insights
- Operational and automation-heavy workflows
- Consistent governance for a small data team
If speed and simplicity matter, Domo deserves serious consideration.
Power BI
Ubiquitous, Capable, and the Default for Microsoft Shops
Power BI is everywhere because it is:
- Affordable
- Deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem
- Reasonably powerful
- Governance-friendly
- Easy to distribute at scale
It’s not where most BI innovation is happening, but it remains a safe, effective option.
Best fit: organizations already standardized on Azure and Microsoft 365.
Tableau and Looker
Why Teams Are Migrating Away in 2026
Let’s be direct.
Tableau:
- Weak embedded analytics
- Not built for AI-native workflows
- High cost and high maintenance
Looker:
- Innovation has slowed significantly
- Rigid architecture
- Poor alignment with dbt-native modeling
- Declining customer support
Most migrations we see today are away from Tableau or Looker and toward Sigma, Omni, or Domo.
The 2026 BI Decision Tree
- Internal analytics + AI-Apps for integrated workflows → Sigma
- Embedded analytics + AI querying → Omni
- One platform to run the full stack → Domo
- Microsoft-first organization → Power BI
- Currently on Tableau or Looker → It’s time to modernize
Sigma and Omni are pushing the innovation curve.
Domo is the operational workhorse for lean teams.
Power BI remains the enterprise default.
Brooklyn Data stays tool-agnostic, but we call it like we see it.