Crystal Reports vs. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Question

I am developing a WPF application, and I need your advice.

I have to generate reports in my application. What should I use, Crystal Reports or SQL Server Reporting Services? Which one is better, and why?

Answer 1

I have used both Although Crystal Reports is very well know and widely used. It can be a hassle at times (Not saying that SQL Server reporting services is not a hassle sometimes.)
Pros for Crystal Reports

• May people use it and understand how to use it.
• Its ability in the creation of more basic to intermediate reports quickly is a plus.
• Even if you dont know SQL you can still fiddle with Crystal Reports to get the result you want, and flatten out the data.
• Supports Dynamic Cascading Prompts (version XI and Higher)
• Supports Web Viewer, ActiveX, Java and HTML.

Cons for Crystal Reports

• Crystal's Report Design Component
  seems to be full of strange scenarios.
• I believe because the software has changed hands so many times. Documentation is pretty limited for the Report Design Component.
• A beginner can definatelly create a nice formatted report quickly and easily, but when it comes to more complex reports where preformance is needed. Going back to understanding SQL is necessary.

Pros for SQL Server Reporting

• Web Based Reporting Server
• Report Rendering Engine supports a number of formats (Excel, HTML, Image, and more)
• Publishing and scheduling is a part of Reporting Services. In crystal you need Crystal Reports Server or Business Objects Enterprise for Puplishing and scheduling. Or you would need to create your own custom app)
• Parameter prompting is nicer in my opinion
• Saved Data sources can be accessed by excel users.
• User login an permissions are built in.
• Subscriptions are a built in feature

Cons for SQL Server Reporting

• It can sometimes be a pain to implement
• the Report builder feature for building simple reports is somewhat limited
• The best report builder is Visual Stuido's Business Intelligence Studio. This is only a con because for a beginning enduser this could seem overwhelming

In all SQL Server Reporting Services is my pick.

Answer 2

I use SSRS in a big project and start using it from 3 years ago. it is a very good solution. I recommend you to use SSRS not Crystal Reports.

Answer 3

Hi, I have used use SSRS and FastReports. I would recommend you to try it. Its easy, faster and does not use a lot of memory and I find it cheaper and and handy in reporting. I recommend you try it.

Answer 4

I also can strongly recommend FastReport for report generation.

Why?

1. Easy to use report designer.
2. Web reporting and full integration to ASP
3. Royalty free report designer
4. Native C# code and great scripting in reports.
5. Great set of export filteres.
6. Rich of features and objects. I really LOVE matrix object of FastReport. It is poetry of reporting tool.