Power BI in Azure

[juanFPR]

I am kind of new in this "power BI world". I know there are two kinds of power BI licenses; Pro and Premium. Recently, I also saw on the Azure portal two services, Power BI Embedded and Power BI Report Server. Then a couple of questions came up to my mind.

When should I use those services instead of having a Pro license for example?

If I want to use any of those azure services, then I do not need a Pro or Premium License.

I do not really get the idea of having these two Azure services for power BI, their adventages, etc.

If anyone can give me an extended and detailed answer/explanation, I would really appreciated.

[Seth_C_Bauer]

@juanFPR 
Embedded allows you to use the Power BI reports in the Service in custom applications. You need to either license that functionality seperately with an "A" sku (Azure sku) or there is an Office 365 "E" sku, but that route is older / not as easy.

If you have a Premium license, you can use Embedded with no further licensing. If you only have Pro, you need an A sku to use both the Service and Embedded.

Power BI Report Server is SQL Server Reporting services, with the capability to upload Power BI Files to the server. This fits the on-premises need. It also requires either Premium, or, a SQL Enterprise License + Software Assurance.

Embedded lets you embed reports into custom apps.

The Report server gives you SSRS reports, Power BI reports and Excel in SSRS.

[juanFPR]

@Seth_C_Bauer

But how azure benefits me in terms of costs, if I pay for power BI embedded?

I am asking this because the company I work for is thinking about changing its monthly licenses of power BI Pro to Power BI service in Azure? Is that coherent?

May be I am not getting the concept of Power BI services (embedded and report server) in azure. That's why I am asking. Thanks for your patience.

Thanks

[Seth_C_Bauer · Accepted solution]

@juanFPR The Power BI Desktop is free. The Power BI Service is an Azure Software as a Service and requires a Pro license.

Embedded has different licenses. Both require at least 1 Pro license for the user who is creating the reports if that is the only way you are going to license.

Embedded licenses have two options. "A" - azure sku -> https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/power-bi-embedded/

and

The older "E" sku (or EM).

Actually, this article explains all of this pretty well -> https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/developer/embedded-faq

Another way to think of this is Pro is the base level license, and Premium/Embedded are add-ons. Those add-ons would only dictate how many Pro licenses you needed.

Example:

Pro for everyone

Pro for only report creators and Premium license to share with all free

Pro for report creators and Embedded for share with free