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Eclipse BIRT

eclipse-birt.github.io

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.3 #11 of 40 in Reporting Software

What it is

Eclipse BIRT creates textual reports and visual charts from data drawn from databases, files, Java, JavaScript, and web services. Its Eclipse-based report designer, runtime, and charting engine can work together, while the charting engine can also be used on its own. The designer offers a drag-and-drop layout view, data and resource explorers, a script editor, and chart and expression builders. Reports can connect to JDBC, XML, web services, and flat files; one report can combine multiple sources using inner or outer joins. Data can be sorted, summarized, filtered, and grouped, including by sums or percentages of totals. Supported report forms include lists, charts, crosstabs, letters, documents, and compound reports. The engine can produce HTML, paginated HTML, Word, Excel, PostScript, ODT, ODS, ODP, and PDF, and export data to CSV. Designs use open XML and can be embedded in desktop or web applications, especially those using Java and Jakarta EE. BIRT is free open-source software under the Eclipse Public License (EPL), with Linux, macOS, Windows, web, API, and self-hosted availability.

Spec sheet

Purpose
BIRT creates textual reports and visual charts by pulling and combining data from sources such as databases, files, Java, JavaScript, and web services.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Platforms
The latest download page lists all-in-one report designer packages for Linux, macOS, and Windows.Read 11 Oct 2026 · download.eclipse.org
Support
BIRT uses GitHub issues to track bugs and enhancement requests, and its community page links to a developer mailing list.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Headquarters
Brussels, BelgiumRead 28 Sep 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Founded
2004Read 28 Sep 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Application embedding
BIRT reports can be embedded into desktop and web applications, especially those based on Java and Jakarta EE.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Components
BIRT includes an Eclipse-based report designer, a runtime component, and a charting engine that can be used standalone or embedded in reports.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Data connections
BIRT supports JDBC, XML, web services, and flat files, and a single report can use multiple data sources and combine them with inner and outer joins.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Data processing
Reports can sort, summarize, filter, and group data, including grouping on sums and percentages of overall totals.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Designer features
The designer includes a drag-and-drop WYSIWYG layout view, data explorer, script editor, resource explorer, chart builder, and expression builder.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Extensibility
Developers can extend BIRT with custom data access, report items, chart types, and output formats.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Output
The report engine can produce HTML, paginated HTML, Word, Excel, PostScript, ODT, ODS, ODP, or PDF, and can export report data to CSV.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Report design
BIRT report designs are stored in an open XML format.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Report types
BIRT supports lists, charts, crosstabs, letters and documents, and compound reports.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io
Security and licensing
The project page identifies the Eclipse Public License (EPL) as BIRT’s license; the pages reviewed do not state a security certification or compliance standard.Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io

Plans and prices

BIRT Free Open-source software project · Eclipse Public License (EPL) Read 11 Oct 2026 · eclipse-birt.github.io

Every Eclipse BIRT plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Combines multiple supported data sources in one report
  • Offers lists, charts, crosstabs, and compound reports
  • Exports to office formats, PDF, and CSV
  • Reports can be embedded in desktop and web applications

Limits

  • No free trial is listed
  • No security certification or compliance standard is stated

Who it suits

BIRT suits teams that need to build data-driven reports and charts, particularly for Java or Jakarta EE applications. It also fits developers who need multiple data sources, varied output formats, or custom extensions.

Verdict

BIRT provides a broad reporting toolset, from data connections and visual design to multiple output formats and application embedding. It is free under the EPL; its project pages do not state a security certification or compliance standard.

Where Specifiction places it

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