The Tableau Desktop is data visualization software that lets you see and understand data in minutes. The professional version of this can transform, process and store huge volumes of data which is responsible for all the data-driven decision making of an organization.

The Tableau Public is essentially a free version of Tableau visualization software. It allows you to use most of the software functions. You can create visualizations and connect to CSV, Text and Excel documents. However, the largest difference is that Tableau Public does not allow you to save your workbooks locally.
The Tableau Reader allows you to read the Tableau file types. If you want to share your workbook by sending a file, the receiver will need a Tableau reader to open the document. So why do we need the reader? Without the reader, you may need to share it publicly or convert the workbook into a PDF format. Fro more Tableau Training
Tableau Desktop vs Tableau Public vs Tableau Reader
Can you create a visualization?
Creating Visualizations – Tableau Desktop vs Tableau Public vs Tableau Reader
Tableau Desktop essentially uses an AJAX-based JavaScript application to create a viz. It lets you ditch the slides for live stories on data that you can create, and others can explore.
Exceptional analytics demand more than a pretty dashboard. And you can quickly build powerful calculations from existing data, drag and drop reference lines and forecasts, and review statistical summaries.
Despite being an unpaid version, Tableau Public does just the same.
But the Tableau Reader is like a read-only app. It doesn’t support features to create/edit stories or graphs. Learn more skills from Tableau Server Training
What sources can you Connect to?
Data Sources – Tableau Desktop vs Tableau Public vs Tableau Reader
Tableau Desktop can connect to data on-prem or in the cloud—whether it’s big data, a SQL database, a spreadsheet, or cloud apps like Google Analytics and Salesforce. Access and combine disparate data without writing code. Power users can pivot, split, and manage metadata to optimize data sources.
Tableau Desktop Public Edition works with data from Microsoft Excel, multiple text file formats, statistical files, Google sheets, and web data connectors.
Tableau Reader does not need to connect to any source, but it can read reports built on top of any and all of the listed data sources that Tableau Supports.
How Secure is your Data?
Security – Tableau Desktop vs Tableau Public vs Tableau Reader
Your data is out in the public once your report is published on to the Tableau Public Server. For the other two options, you need an access link to access the Reports.
BI and Visualization Training
If you’d like to keep your data safe and private, you can opt for the Tableau Server.
- It keeps data secure on your private servers.
- Works with Tableau Mobile to take data everywhere.
- Allows for guest user access. Get more skills from Tableau Server Online Training
How much data can you store?
Limit – Tableau Desktop vs Tableau Public vs Tableau Reader
Tableau Desktop has no limit to how many rows of data it can store, process or share whereas the limit for the Desktop Public App has been updated to 1 Million Rows recently.
How much does it cost?
Cost – Tableau Desktop vs Tableau Public vs Tableau Reader
While Tableau Public and Reader apps are absolutely free of cost, Tableau Desktop has incurred the following prices;
- Tableau Desktop Personal = $35 ( with annual maintenance $999)
- Tableau Desktop Professional = $70 ( with annual maintenance $1,999)
Where is your Data Stored?
For Tableau Desktop, reports published can be stored on your Local Drive as well as on the Tableau Server whereas, for Tableau Public, reports published can only be saved on the Tableau Server.
To get in-depth knowledge enroll for a live free demo on Tableau Online Training