Power BI sharing costs: Pro licenses vs. Fabric F2

Key insights

• The example quotes $14 per Power BI Pro user per month, or $280 for 20 users.
• The quoted Fabric F2 price is $250 monthly, or $156 monthly with a yearly contract.
• The comparison is for browsing a Rayfin data app, not consuming a Power BI report.
• The source says Power BI sharing below F64 requires Pro licenses; F64 or higher is described as premium.
• Capacity needs depend on workload; the source cautions that F2 may not be enough.

Power BI sharing costs depend on whether people consume a Power BI report or browse a Rayfin data app hosted on Fabric capacity. The comparison matters to teams with users who mainly view content rather than build reports. Reza Rad (RADACAD) [MVP] demonstrates the Rayfin app pricing comparison in a blog post.

What's new

The figures set out a cost comparison, not a general replacement of Power BI Pro with Fabric F2. In the example, 20 Pro licenses at $14 per user per month add up to $280. The stated F2 price is $250 per month, or $156 per month with a yearly contract.

The distinction is what those prices buy. Pro is presented as the per-user route for sharing Power BI content below F64, while F2 is capacity used to host the Rayfin data app. The app is described as a TypeScript front end built on a Power BI semantic model. It is not itself a Power BI report.

That matters for budgeting: comparing the figures makes sense for the specific app and audience described, but the figures do not establish that an F2 capacity replaces Pro licenses for ordinary Power BI report sharing. The source says that sharing Power BI content requires Pro licenses for users, or a workspace on F64 or higher capacity. Its F2 comparison concerns users browsing the Rayfin app instead.

Who it is for and what you need

This approach is aimed at people who consume content rather than create it. The source characterizes these users as people who want to browse, not self-service users. It may therefore interest teams considering a custom interface over a Power BI semantic model.

The example assumes 20 users and uses U.S. dollar prices quoted in the source. It gives no detail about a specific Power BI or Fabric license entitlement for building the app, no tenant or regional availability information, and no required configuration steps. Those details should not be inferred from the price comparison.

The source also mentions the broader Power BI sharing threshold: F64 or higher is described as premium capacity, while below F64 users need Pro accounts for sharing Power BI content. It quotes about $5,000 monthly for F64 or higher. These are the source’s stated figures, not a current price quote or a complete licensing assessment.

How it works

The example’s mechanics are straightforward. A Rayfin app presents a front end built with TypeScript, draws data from a Power BI semantic model, and is shared from a workspace on Fabric capacity. Viewers use that app to browse the content; this is distinct from opening a Power BI report as a report consumer.

1. Estimate the number of people who need access. The example uses 20 viewers who browse but do not build.
2. For Power BI report sharing below F64, apply the quoted Pro calculation: 20 users multiplied by $14 is $280 per month.
3. For the Rayfin app scenario, compare the stated F2 cost: $250 per month, or $156 per month with a yearly contract.
4. Assess the workload before choosing capacity. The source warns that F2 may not be sufficient and that a larger capacity may be needed.

The 100-user example is not a promise that F2 will support that audience. The source says the same cost logic could apply, but explicitly adds that load matters. User count alone does not establish that the capacity will perform adequately.

Limitations and open questions

The key limitation is the scope of the comparison. The F2 figure describes hosting a Rayfin app, not providing standard Power BI report access to 20 users without Pro licenses. For standard sharing, the source’s own explanation says Pro is needed below F64. Treating the two totals as interchangeable could therefore produce an incomplete budget.

Capacity sizing remains unresolved by the example. It does not report performance testing, workload volume, concurrent use, or other sizing measurements. The only guidance is to test with the organization’s own data and users, and to consider moving up if F2 is not enough.

Prices can change, and the source itself says to check current Microsoft pricing before planning. The material does not provide an official Microsoft pricing source, explain regional or contractual differences, or document how to deploy Rayfin. It also does not specify the exact licensing prerequisites for app creators or viewers. Confirm those points separately before making a purchasing decision.

Sources

• Reza Rad’s Power BI and Fabric F2 cost comparison
• RADACAD website

Frequently asked questions

How much do 20 Power BI Pro licenses cost in this example?

The source quotes $14 per user per month, which totals $280 for 20 users. It advises checking current Microsoft pricing before planning.

Does Fabric F2 replace Power BI Pro licenses for report sharing?

Not according to the comparison: it describes F2 hosting a Rayfin data app, not standard Power BI report sharing. The source says sharing below F64 requires Pro licenses.

How much does Fabric F2 cost in the comparison?

The source quotes $250 per month, or $156 per month with a yearly contract. These are quoted figures, not a current price guarantee.

Can Fabric F2 handle 100 viewers?

The source says the same cost logic may apply but workload load matters, and F2 may not be sufficient. It recommends testing with your own data and users.