With the rapid implementation of SaaS applications and IoT devices, companies face data management challenges. Since each app has its own settings, preferences, country-dependent taxation and currency rules, etc., it’s necessary to align all data from different systems.
SaaS ETL platforms address this challenge by gathering, organizing, and standardizing data from various sources in a unified system to provide better control of all corporate operations. In contrast to traditional ETL tools, SaaS solutions are more scalable and cost-effective.
This article explores the key features of SaaS ETL platforms and their benefits. We also provide several hints on selecting the best solution for your business.
Table of Contents
- Functionality of SaaS ETL Tools
- Advantages of SaaS ETL Tools
- Top SaaS ETL Tools in 2024
- Use Cases of SaaS ETL Tools in Different Industries
- Overcoming Common Challenges with SaaS ETL Tools
- Choosing the Right SaaS ETL Tool for Your Business
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
Functionality of SaaS ETL Tools
The prior objective of SaaS ETL services is to convert raw data sets into meaningful insights. They perform excellently since they combine the best of two worlds by delegating infrastructure management to cloud providers (SaaS) and automating data integration (ETL).
SaaS ETL tools provide the following features:
- Data transfer in batches
- Real-time synchronization
- Mapping features
- Data transformation options
- Scheduling parameters for data loading and update
- Integration capabilities with other tools
Advantages of SaaS ETL Tools
It’s common for businesses to have a CRM system, a database, an inventory management tool, and many other applications. To obtain a unified vision of all business operations, data from such dispersed systems needs to be gathered in one place. This is possible with SaaS ETL tools that can collect, organize, and move data across apps. Here are some other benefits these solutions provide.
- Data centralization. Consolidate data from multiple sources in one place.
- Automated data integration. Create and manage ETL data pipelines within an intuitive no-code user interface and scheduling features.
- Data accuracy. Apply transformations (cleansing, duplicate removal, blending) to ensure better data accuracy.
- Cost-efficiency. Eliminate the need for infrastructure management for data integration tasks by delegating it to cloud providers according to the SaaS model.
- Scalability. Enjoy the flexibility of on-demand resource allocation, which meets the fluctuating data needs.
- Reporting and analytics. Prepare comprehensive reports based on the consolidated data to obtain a clear vision of your business health.
- Data ecosystem. Benefit from solutions that contain not only data integration tools but other services for data-related operations (backup, query, workflow automation, etc.).
Top SaaS ETL Tools in 2024
1. Skyvia
Skyvia is a universal cloud platform designed for a wide range of data-related tasks. It contains several products for data integration, backup, OData and SQL endpoint creation, SQL querying, and workflow automation.
The Data Integration solution of Skyvia contains a range of tools for building SaaS ETL pipelines:
- Import. This ETL tool helps you configure integration scenarios, connect different data sources, and transform data on the go.
- Replication. It automates cloud data replication to databases or data warehouses, keeping data consistent and up-to-date.
- Synchronization. It supports bi-directional data sync between SaaS apps and databases, ensuring that data remains consistent across platforms.
- Data Flow. It contains a visual wizard where you can design ETL pipelines involving multiple SaaS apps and other data sources.
- Control Flow. It allows you to orchestrate complex integration scenarios by managing the execution order of various tasks, including data import, export, replication, and synchronization.
Benefits
- 200+ connectors to SaaS apps, databases, and data warehouses.
- Intuitive GUI in all areas of Skyvia.
- The web-based nature of the platform allows for access from anywhere.
- Possibility to design both simple and complex ETL pipelines.
- Scheduling options for automated data integration.
- Incremental data updates.
User Reviews
There are 200+ reviews on the G2 platform, with an average rating of 4.8/5 for Skyvia. Users admit ease of use and integration, excellent data management, and a wide set of features. However, they note a lack of detailed error reporting for integrations.
Pricing
Skyvia prices start at $79 per month and grow gradually depending on the number of records per month, scheduled integrations, and features. You can always try Skyvia with a fully-featured free tier.
2. Talend
Talend is a data integration and management platform that provides such features as data transformations, data governance, data cleansing, and many more. This solution has two versions: free Talend Open Studio and paid Talend Data Fabric with a rich feature set.
Benefits
- 300+ connectors to various data sources.
- Unified platform for all data integration scenarios.
- Easy-to-use interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Real-time data processing.
- Support both SaaS apps and on-premises services.
User reviews
There are 100+ reviews on the G2 platform, with an average rating of 4.3/5 for Talend. Users note Talend’s ease of use, automation capabilities, and strong collaboration features. However, they also mention challenges like a difficult setup process and a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Talend offers four pricing plans, each of which provides a free trial.
3. Fivetran
Fivetran is a cloud-based data integration platform that automates ETL processes. It aims to simplify data movement between various sources, applying the needed data transformations on the go. Fivetran offers pre-built connectors to SaaS tools, databases, applications, and other data sources.
Benefits
- 500+ data sources connectors.
- Automatic schema management.
- Incremental data loading.
- Monitoring and repair of data pipelines.
User reviews
There are almost 400 reviews on the G2 platform, with an average rating of 4.2/5 for Fivetran. Users value a large number of connectors and ease of integration setup. At the same time, they express concerns about the low responsiveness of customer support.
Pricing
Fivetran offers four pricing tiers, including a free one. Each of these tiers offers a trial period with a complete feature set at disposal.
4. Stitch
Stitch is another data integration tool, though it’s designed for ELT pipelines rather than ETL processes. This tool helps businesses to replicate their data from SaaS apps to data warehouses.
Benefits
- 130+ connectors to various tools.
- Incremental data replications.
- Support for custom integrations.
User reviews
There are around 70 G2 reviews about Stitch with a 4.4/5 rating. Users admit the simplicity and ELT efficiency of this solution. However, they also note limitations in data management and error reporting.
Pricing
Stitch offers three monthly pricing plans with variable costs that depend on the amount of ingested data.
- Standard starts at $100/month.
- Advanced starts at $1,250/month.
- Premium starts at $2,500/month.
5. Matillion
Matillion is another data integration tool providing both SaaS ETL and ELT capabilities. Its cloud-native design allows users to harness the computing resources of the cloud platforms fully. Therefore, Matillion can easily scale data integrations and transformations for SaaS tools.
Benefits
- 150+ pre-built connectors.
- Uses Generative AI for data pipelines.
- Data transformations on the DWH side.
- Job orchestration and scheduling.
User reviews
There are around 80 G2 reviews on Matillion with a 4.4/5 rating. Users admit the simplicity and ELT efficiency of this solution. However, they note the limited feature set and high costs as its major drawbacks.
Pricing
Matillion offers three pricing plans, which are feature and consumption-based.
6. Hevo Data
Hevo Data is a no-code, cloud-based ETL and ELT platform that automates data integration from various sources to a data warehouse. Thanks to its automated schema mapping, pre-load transformations, and user-friendly interface, Hevo supports both batch and real-time data processing.
Benefits
- 150+ pre-configured connectors to data.
- No-code interface for visual pipeline building.
- Data aggregation, cleaning, and enrichment.
- Real-time monitoring and alerts.
User reviews
The Hevo Data rating is 4.4 out of 5 based on 200+ reviews on the G2 platform. Users admit its power in data management and a rich set of features. At the same time, Hevo Data is associated with data inaccuracies and pipeline issues.
Pricing
There are four pricing tiers, including a free one.
7. Airbyte
Airbyte is an open-source data integration platform with a large contribution from community members. This solution can be hosted in your production environment on in-house infrastructure or based on Airbyte Cloud with fully managed service.
Benefits
- 400+ pre-built connectors to different data sources.
- Customizable data transformations.
- Incremental data updates.
- Detailed logging and monitoring.
User reviews
The Airbyte rating is 4.5 out of 5 on the G2 platform. Users like the abundance of connectors and quick pipeline setup. At the same time, they admit that Airbyte is more developer-oriented with the technical expertise required.
Pricing
Airbyte is free unless cloud hosting and management are needed. The Airbyte price depends on the consumption and is estimated at $2.50 per credit.
8. Informatica Cloud Data Integration
Informatica is a cloud-based data integration solution that helps businesses connect their data across SaaS apps and on-premises systems. This SaaS ETL has a cloud-native architecture, allowing easy scaling and availability.
Benefits
- 500+ ready-to-use data connectors.
- AI-based insights for ETL pipeline design.
- Integrated Git support for collaboration.
- Visual interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Scheduling options for automated data transfer.
User reviews
Informatica’s G2 rating is 4.3 out of 5, derived from 100+ reviews. Users appreciated the abundance of connectors and Informatica’s cloud-native architecture. However, they often mention technical issues and the lack of features for more efficient integration.
Pricing
The prices for each business are individually discussed with Informatica sales managers.
Use Cases of SaaS ETL Tools in Different Industries
SaaS ETL solutions are versatile and can be applied across different industries. However, certain sectors heavily rely on these tools for specific use cases.
Healthcare
The most common scenario for using SaaS ETL services in the healthcare industry is consolidating and analyzing data. This involves data collection from medical devices, pharmaceutical records, the public health sector, etc., to improve diagnostic experiences and support research. Explore a real healthcare case study of how the American Healthcare Association improved its reporting with Skyvia.
E-Commerce
SaaS ETL tools are commonly used in the retail industry to integrate data between e-commerce platforms, CRMs, ERP systems, and other software. Synchronizing data between these tools contributes to obtaining a 360-degree view of the customer profile. Data integration also helps to improve customer experiences, increase sales, and analyze campaigns. See how Bakewell cookshop synchronized their retail shop data with the BigCommerce online platform using Skyvia.
Finance
The use of SaaS ETL solutions in the financial sector tends to increase the security of online transactions. Companies gather data from financial applications to send it for analysis in real-time. This makes it possible to prevent fraud, detect unauthorized transactions, and ensure robustness of financial operations. Explore how Niso optimized its financial operations with the Skyvia data integration solution.
Manufacturing
Companies in the manufacturing sector largely depend on vendors that supply critical spare parts. SaaS ETL tools help optimize supply chain management by consolidating data from multiple sources in a unified system. That way, businesses get real-time insights into vendor performance, which helps them to identify the most reliable suppliers and optimize operations. See how Skyvia has helped Teesing streamline all data processes.
Overcoming Common Challenges with SaaS ETL Tools
Despite the effectiveness and opportunities SaaS ETL offers to businesses, it also has its weak points. It’s better to be informed about possible challenges and avoid them when elaborating on your data integration strategies.
- Data security concerns. The major threats to data integrity may arise from unauthorized access, human error, and malicious attacks. Therefore, you need to select a SaaS ETL solution that implements modern security protocols, provides authorized people access to data, and complies with HIPAA, GDPR, and other regulatory acts.
- Integration with legacy systems. Most SaaS ETL solutions work with modern online apps and on-premises systems. Not many of them support legacy systems, which makes it challenging for companies with obsolete software to ensure effective data integration management.
- Data volume and complexity. Companies need to select a solution that can handle fluctuating data volumes and properly process them.
Choosing the Right SaaS ETL Tool for Your Business
When selecting a SaaS ETL solution, the first step is to evaluate its core functionality to ensure it aligns with your needs. However, there are other important factors to consider when looking for a data integration solution. Those are the ETL cost, rating on popular review platforms, number of available connectors, etc.
We have prepared a table with key selection criteria for the SaaS ETL tools. We hope it will facilitate your decision-making process and help you make the right choice.
| SaaS ETL tool | Rating on G2 | Connectors | Price | Free tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skyvia | 4.8/5 | 200+ | Starts at $79/month | Yes |
| Talend | 4.3/5 | 300+ | Custom | Yes (open-source version) |
| Fivetran | 4.2/5 | 500+ | Custom | Yes |
| Stitch | 4.4/5 | 130+ | Custom | No |
| Matillion | 4.4/5 | 150+ | Custom | No |
| Hevo Data | 4.4/5 | 200+ | Starts at $239/month | Yes |
| Airbyte | 4.5/5 | 400+ | $2.50 per credit | Yes (open-source version) |
| Informatica | 4.3/5 | 500+ | Custom | No |
Final Thoughts
The proliferation of SaaS applications has invoked new challenges in data integration. Companies need to manage all data from multiple systems through compliance with data security requirements and data quality maintenance. Since it’s nearly impossible to do all that manually, the rise of SaaS ETL tools has become a natural progression. Such solutions can automate data integration tasks and ensure data integrity.
To select the right solution for our business, pay attention to:
- functionality
- rating on review platforms
- cost
- other factors
Consider using Skyvia for your data integration needs since it can implement various scenarios, set schedules on data transfer, apply incremental updates, etc. It offers a free tier to start, allowing you to try all its features!
FAQs
This is a process of data extraction, transformation, and loading for SaaS applications. Other sources, including hybrid installations and on-premises systems, might also participate in data pipelines. Overall, SaaS ETL aims to facilitate data integration, analytics, and reporting.
The comparison of traditional and SaaS ETL solutions can be made using four key criteria:
– Infrastructure management. Traditional ETL tools operate on-premises servers, while SaaS ETL tools are cloud-based.
– Deployment and maintenance. In-house IT teams deploy and maintain traditional ETL tools, while the cloud providers are in charge of SaaS tool implementation and resource provisioning.
– Data sources. Traditional ETL tools primarily support structured data in traditional databases, while SaaS ETL tools can deal with multiple application types (databases, data warehouses) and handle unstructured data.
– Scalability. SaaS ETL tools usually provide much more flexibility and scalability than traditional ones.
Thanks to the cloud-based nature of SaaS ETL solutions, they can easily scale up and down to meet the current data volumes. Such tools also support the incremental approach to extract only new and updated data instead of entire datasets on subsequent loads. SaaS ETL services also apply compression techniques on large data volumes to reduce the size of datasets in transit.
