looker-studio vs whatagraph
Looker Studio vs Whatagraph — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
You're choosing between Google's free dashboard builder and a premium automated reporting platform. This comes down to whether you want to invest time building custom reports (Looker Studio) or pay for pre-built automation that handles everything for you (Whatagraph).
The fundamental difference is labor versus cost. Looker Studio requires significant setup time but costs nothing. Whatagraph starts at $199/month but delivers client-ready reports automatically. Most agencies and consultants face this exact trade-off when scaling their reporting processes.
Feature Comparison
Looker Studio connects directly to Google Search Console, GA4, Google Ads, and dozens of third-party connectors. You build everything from scratch using drag-and-drop charts, but the customization options are extensive. Want a specific GSC query performance visualization? You'll create it manually, but you can make it exactly what you need. Whatagraph takes the opposite approach with 45+ pre-built integrations and automated report templates. It pulls SEO data from Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, and Google tools, then generates branded reports automatically. The SEO templates include keyword rankings, backlink analysis, and technical audit summaries without any setup. However, customization is limited to their existing widget library. For cross-channel reporting, Whatagraph dominates. It combines SEO, PPC, social media, and email marketing data into unified dashboards. Looker Studio can technically do this but requires manual connector setup for each platform and significant time investment to make the data relationships work properly.
Pricing Comparison
Looker Studio is completely free with unlimited reports and viewers. The only costs come from third-party connectors (like Supermetrics at $99/month) if you need data beyond Google's ecosystem. For solo consultants or small teams, this makes it incredibly attractive. Whatagraph starts at $199/month for 10 data sources and 3 users, scaling to $999/month for unlimited everything. When you factor in the time saved on report creation and client delivery, the ROI calculation depends entirely on your hourly rate and report volume. An agency charging $150/hour breaks even on the basic plan by saving just 16 hours monthly.
Best For
Looker Studio is ideal for consultants and small agencies who have time to invest in setup and want maximum customization control. If you're already deep in Google's ecosystem (GSC, GA4, Google Ads) and enjoy building custom visualizations, the free tier provides incredible value. It's also perfect for internal reporting where you don't need polished client presentations. Whatagraph serves agencies and marketing teams who prioritize automation and professional client deliverables. If you're billing clients for reporting, managing multiple accounts, or need to combine SEO with other marketing channels, the time savings justify the cost. The automated branded reports are client-presentation ready without additional work.
The Verdict
Choose Looker Studio if you're budget-conscious and have time to build custom dashboards. Choose Whatagraph if you bill clients for reports, manage multiple accounts, or need cross-channel marketing reporting that works automatically. For most agencies handling 5+ clients, Whatagraph's automation pays for itself in saved labor hours.