10 Best ETL Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
With so many different ETL software available, figuring out which is right for you is tough. You know you want to extract, transform, and load large volumes of data more efficiently but need to figure out which tool is best. I've got you! In this post I'll help make your choice easy, sharing my personal experiences using dozens of different ETL tools with various teams and projects, with my picks of the best ETL software.
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Best ETL Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top ETL software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best ETL software for ease of use | Free plan available | From $79/month | Website | |
| 2 | Best ETL software for automations | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best for a wide range of marketing connectors | Free trial available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 4 | Best unified software for data movement | Free trial + free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 5 | Best ETL software for real-time data integration | 14-day free trial + free demo | From $239/month | Website | |
| 6 | Best ETL software for marketing teams | 14-day free trial | From $960/month | Website | |
| 7 | Best end-to-end ETL software for businesses of all sizes | Free plan available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 8 | Best ETL software for an interactive interface | 14-day free trial | From $80/user/month | Website | |
| 9 | Best ETL software for Airtable users | Free plan available | From $24/month | Website | |
| 10 | Best ETL software for customer insights | Free demo available | From $400/month | Website |
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Prisync
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.7 -
Expedite Commerce
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QuickBooks Online
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4
Best ETL Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best ETL software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Skyvia is an ETL cloud platform. It provides a unified solution for data integration, backup, synchronization, and management. Skyvia supports popular platforms such as Salesforce, Dynamics 365, Google BigQuery, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
Why I picked Skyvia: Skyvia is easy to use and straightforward. It allows users to navigate and access features effortlessly. With a visual interface and drag-and-drop functionality, users can easily configure data integration workflows without coding. The availability of pre-built connectors and templates simplifies the process of setting up connections and data flows between various systems.
Skyvia Standout Features and Integrations
Features include connectivity to cloud applications and databases for data integration and synchronization. Skyvia also provides data backup and restore capabilities for data protection and recovery. Advanced data mapping and transformation options allow users to customize and manipulate data during integration.
Integrations include Salesforce, Dynamic 365, SugarCRM, Zoho CRM, HubSpot, NetSuite, Pipedrive, Streak, Insightly CRM, and Freshsales.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Cloud-based platform
- Pre-built connectors
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons:
- Dependency on internet connection
- No free trial
Workato is an integration and automation platform that enables businesses to connect and automate workflows between different applications and systems.
Why I picked Workato: The best aspect of the software is the recipes feature. A recipe is a set of instructions that defines how different applications and systems should interact and respond to specific triggers or events. These recipes are built visually using a drag-and-drop interface and allow users to automate complex workflows without extensive coding.
It typically consists of triggers, actions, and conditional logic. Also, Workato provides a vast library of pre-built recipes that users can leverage as a starting point or inspiration for their own automation needs.
These recipes can be customized and tailored to match the specific requirements of a business process. For example, it automatically sends a notification to a designated Slack channel whenever a new lead is created in Salesforce.
Workato Standout Features and Integrations
Features include advanced data mapping and transformation capabilities, robust error-handling mechanisms, real-time triggers, collaboration tools, and scalability to handle enterprise-scale integrations.
Integrations include Adobe, Airtable, AWS, Autodesk, BigCommerce, BitSight, Blackline, BMC, Clause, and Constant Contact.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Suitable for businesses of all sizes
- Provides workflow automation features
- Wide range of pre-built connectors
Cons:
- No mobile app
- Limited data transformation capability
Funnel is a marketing data integration solution that offers a wide range of connectors to various marketing tools and platforms.
Why I picked Funnel: Funnel offers a large library of pre-built connectors, including popular platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, HubSpot, and many more. This comprehensive connector coverage allows marketers to aggregate and unify data from multiple marketing sources easily. This enables them to gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions for their marketing campaigns.
Funnel Standout Features and Integrations
Features include data collection and consolidation from various marketing sources. It also offers powerful data transformation capabilities, allowing users to easily clean, manipulate, and normalize their data. The reporting and visualization features allow users to view data in a visually appealing format.
Integrations include 500+ marketing and sales software, including Google Ads, Amazon Ads, Google Analytics, Tiktok, Instagram, Salesforce, Adobe Analytics, LinkedIn, Shopify, and Quora.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers advanced analytics features
- Robust data transformation capabilities
- Automates data collection
- Offers advanced analytics features
- Robust data transformation capabilities
- Automates data collection
Cons:
- Reliance on third-party integrations
- Limited data visualization customization
- Reliance on third-party integrations
- Limited data visualization customization
Fivetran is a cloud-based ETL software for businesses of all sizes. With 300+ no-code and pre-built data connectors, Fivetran is an all-in-one destination for ETL processes.
Why I picked Fivetran: One of the best features of Fivetran is automated schema drift handling and updates. Data sources often undergo changes in their schema or structure over time. These changes, known as schema drift, can pose challenges for data integration processes.
Fivetran addresses this issue by providing automated schema drift handling. It actively monitors the source systems for schema changes and automatically adjusts the data pipeline accordingly.
This means that when a source system undergoes schema changes, Fivetran adapts to these changes without requiring manual intervention or reconfiguration. As a result, businesses can maintain a seamless and uninterrupted data integration process, ensuring that the data remains accurate and up-to-date.
Fivetran Standout Features and Integrations
Features include data pipeline orchestration capabilities, which ensure that data is continuously synced and up-to-date in the destination. While Fivetran primarily focuses on data movement, it also provides basic data transformation capabilities, such as data filtering, database replication, column renaming, and data type conversions. Additionally, Fivetran also provides monitoring and alerting, which help ensure the health and reliability of data pipelines. Users can receive notifications about potential issues or failures, allowing them to address them promptly and maintain data consistency.
Integrations include Amazon S3, Facebook Ads, Google Ads, Google Search Console, Google Sheets, HubSpot, LinkedIn Ad Analytics, Marketo, Oracle, and Salesforce.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time data syncing
- Good customer support
- In-depth documentation
Cons:
- Dependency on cloud infrastructure
- Limited data transformation options
Hevo Data is a powerful ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) and ELT software that specializes in real-time data integration, enabling organizations to ingest, transform, and load data from various sources into their target destinations, such as Snowflake, Redshift, BigQuery, etc.
Why I picked Hevo Data: It is a low-code tool that offers several features that enable real-time data integration. It leverages Change Data Capture (CDC) technology to capture and replicate only the changed data from source systems, minimizing the data transfer and processing overhead. This enables efficient real-time data integration without impacting system performance.
It also allows you to replicate data from various sources, including databases, cloud services, SaaS applications, and more, in real-time. This ensures that your analytics platforms and data warehouses are continuously updated with the latest data.
Hevo Data Standout Features and Integrations
Features include real-time data integration, drag-and-drop functionality, automated data transformation, and support for various integrations. The software also enables robust error handling, data quality monitoring, security and compliance measures, and real-time monitoring.
Integrations are available with 150+ software, including MongoDB, Google Analytics, Salesforce, HubSpot, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Pendo, Pinterest Ads, Chargebee, and Braintree.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Enables automated data transformation
- Wide variety of integrations
- Simple interface
Cons:
- Reliance on third-party integrations
- Limited customizations
Census is an advanced ETL software platform that supports a wide range of data connectors and works on top of your data warehouse. It's built for marketing teams that want to tap into the vast amount of data and run more successful marketing campaigns.
Why I picked Census: Census offers several features for marketing teams, but the feature I liked the most is the Audience Hub.
It allows users to create and manage audiences or segments based on their data. It gives marketers a centralized platform to define specific criteria and filters for audience segmentation. With the Audience Hub, marketers can easily build and maintain dynamic and up-to-date audience segments for their marketing campaigns. You can then feed the audience lists into marketing or advertising software.
Census Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a large connector library, visual data mapping, and centralized data management. Census enables automated data syncing and scheduling, which ensures that data stays updated across different systems and platforms. It also offers data validation features to ensure the data's accuracy and integrity.
Integrations are available with 150+ tools, including Facebook, ActiveCampaign, Airtable, Asana, Campaign Monitor, Google Ads, Chargify, Chargebee, Stripe, and Insightly.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive support and documentation resources
- No-code setup
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Dependency on connectors
Keboola is an end-to-end ETL platform that helps businesses manage their entire data lifecycle, from data extraction and transformation to storage, analysis, and reporting. It is best for businesses of all sizes because it provides a free forever plan for startups and an enterprise plan that comprises private SaaS and enterprise SLA.
Why I picked Keboola: I chose Keboola because of its data transformation capabilities. It enables businesses to clean, reshape, and enrich their data. It also provides a wide array of transformation components and functions, both visual and code-based, allowing users to perform complex data manipulations and calculations. This flexibility ensures that businesses can prepare their data appropriately for analysis and reporting.
Another great aspect of Keboola is its user-friendly interface that simplifies the ETL process. It provides a visual data pipeline builder, allowing users to easily define data extraction, transformation, and loading steps. This ease of use reduces the learning curve and empowers users to handle ETL tasks efficiently.
Keboola Standout Features and Integrations
Features: Keboola allows businesses to easily connect and incorporate data from diverse systems, automate data workflows for efficiency, ensure data security and compliance, leverage preferred data analytics tools for analysis and reporting, and receive comprehensive assistance in implementing and optimizing the platform.
Integrations include 2Performance, Active Campaign, Apache Hive, Asana, Azor, Google Sheets, Google Drive, Firebird, Firebolt, and Google Big Query.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Robust security features
- Cloud-based infrastructure
- Scalable
Cons:
- No free trial
- Limited machine learning functionality
Parabola is ETL software that allows users to design and automate data workflows. It has an interactive interface that provides drag-and-drop capabilities.
Why I picked Parabola: Parabola offers a user-friendly interface that makes it accessible to users without extensive technical expertise. This can benefit businesses that want to empower non-technical team members to handle data integration tasks. This can reduce reliance on IT resources and speed up the development process.
The visual interface allows users to design and configure data integration workflows by dragging and dropping components. This graphical representation enables users to better understand and validate the logic of their workflows, making it easier to identify and resolve any issues that may arise.
Parabola Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a vast library of pre-built connectors and transformations, enabling integration with various data sources. It also supports automation, allowing users to schedule and execute workflows at specified intervals, saving time and effort. Additionally, Parabola.io offers robust error handling and debugging capabilities.
Integrations include Airtable, Amazon, Box, Bubble, Copper, Databox, Drip, Dropbox, Facebook Ads, and Front.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Pre-built connectors and transformations
- Visual workflow design
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Subscription-based pricing
- Limited advanced functionalities
Data Fetcher for Airtable is a tool that allows users to retrieve and extract data from their Airtable databases.
Why I picked Data Fetcher: One of the notable features of Datafetcher for Airtable is its ability to automate data extraction and synchronization from Airtable. This allows users to set up scheduled or triggered data fetches, ensuring that their external systems or tools always have access to the most up-to-date information from Airtable.
Another valuable feature of Datafetcher for Airtable is its ability to perform data transformations and mappings during the extraction process. This feature gives users enhanced control over how their Airtable data is structured and formatted in the destination system.
Data Fetcher Standout Features and Integrations
Features include advanced filtering and query options, allowing users to extract specific subsets of data based on criteria such as conditions, date ranges, or customized queries. It also provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies the setup and configuration of data fetches.
Integrations include Airtable, Apify, Clearbit, Coinbase, Facebook Ads, Google Ads, Google Calendar, Google Maps, Google Sheets, and Pipedrive.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides encryption and access controls
- Ensures data consistency across systems
- Easy data extraction
Cons:
- Dependence on Airtable API
- Limited support for advanced ETL features
Starfish ETL allows organizations to gather data from diverse sources such as CRM systems, marketing automation platforms, social media platforms, and more. By integrating and analyzing data from these sources, businesses can gain an in-depth understanding of their customers, behaviors, preferences, and interactions across different touchpoints.
Why I picked StarfishETL: I picked Starfish ETL due to its ability to handle large volumes of data efficiently. It offers features like parallel processing, load balancing, and optimization techniques to deliver high-performance data integration even in demanding environments.
Also, Starfish ETL prioritizes data security and provides features such as encryption, role-based access controls, and data masking. This ensures that sensitive information is protected throughout the data integration process.
StarfishETL Standout Features and Integrations
Features include pre-built connectors that enable data integration, monitoring and logging capabilities, and customization options. Data mapping ensures data transformation between source and target systems. It also generates reports and analyzes data to gain insights.
Integrations include 300+ connectors, such as ActiveCampaign, Airtable, ADP, Amazon Marketplace, Asana, Bamboo HR, Basecamp, BigCommerce, Bing Ads, and Box.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Robust security features
- Encourages user feedback
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Initial setup requires technical expertise
- Complex for beginners
Other ETL Software
Here are some additional ETL software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Lyftrondata
ETL software for automated schema discovery
- Databricks
For combining data lakes and data warehouses in one
- Supermetrics
For data integration and reporting
- Panoply
For data warehousing and ETL
- Integrate.io
For data integration and workflow automation
- Rivery
For building complex data pipelines
- dbt
ETL solution for data transformation through SQL and Python
- Singular
For marketing data tracking and analysis
- Mozart Data
ETL software for data preparation
- Dataslayer.ai
For automating data extraction and reporting in Google Sheets
ETL Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best ETL software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like data transformation complexity and integration with existing systems. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Data extraction from multiple sources
- Data transformation and cleaning
- Loading data into target systems
- Handling large data volumes
- Scheduling and automation of ETL processes
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Real-time data processing
- Built-in data analytics tools
- Support for cloud and on-premise environments
- Advanced data security measures
- Customizable workflow automation
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Ease of navigation
- Availability of drag-and-drop features
- Minimal learning curve
- Customization options
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates and guides
- Supportive chatbots and help centers
- Webinars for new users
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- Availability of 24/7 support
- Responsiveness of support team
- Access to a comprehensive knowledge base
- Availability of live chat and phone support
- Quality of community forums
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing models
- Flexibility in subscription plans
- Availability of free trials or demos
- Cost against features offered
- Discount options for long-term commitments
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Commonly mentioned pros and cons
- Feedback on feature reliability
- User feedback on customer service
- Frequency of software updates and improvements
How to Choose ETL Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Will the software grow with your data needs? Consider future data volume and user count. Look for scalable solutions to avoid switching tools later. |
| Integrations | Does it connect with your existing systems? Ensure compatibility with databases, CRMs, and other tools your team uses daily. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor it to fit your workflows? Look for flexible options that let you modify processes without needing developer help. |
| Ease of use | Is it user-friendly for your team? Choose intuitive interfaces to reduce training time and increase adoption rates. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How quickly can you get started? Evaluate the setup time and availability of onboarding resources like guides and support staff. |
| Cost | Does it fit your budget? Compare pricing models and ensure there are no hidden fees. Consider the total cost of ownership, not just the initial price. |
| Security safeguards | Are your data and processes secure? Verify encryption standards and compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR if applicable. |
| Support availability | What support does the vendor offer? Check for 24/7 availability, response times, and the quality of help resources like manuals and community forums. |
What Is ETL Software?
ETL software is a type of application used to facilitate data integration processes, especially in the context of data warehousing and business intelligence. ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load, representing the three key functions of the software: extracting data from various sources, transforming it into a uniform format, and loading it into a target database or data warehouse.
Features
When selecting ETL software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Data extraction: Enables pulling data from various sources, making it easier to consolidate information.
- Data transformation: Allows modification and cleaning of data to meet specific analysis needs.
- Data loading: Facilitates transferring processed data into the desired storage system or database.
- Integration support: Ensures compatibility with existing tools and systems, streamlining workflow processes.
- Real-time processing: Provides up-to-the-minute data updates, crucial for timely decision-making.
- Scalability: Supports growing data volumes and user demands, ensuring long-term usability.
- User-friendly interface: Simplifies navigation and reduces training time for your team.
- Security safeguards: Protects sensitive data with encryption and compliance with regulations.
- Automation capabilities: Automates repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing manual errors.
- Customizability: Offers flexibility to tailor processes and workflows to specific business needs.
Benefits
Implementing ETL software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved data accuracy: By transforming and cleaning data, ETL tools reduce errors and ensure reliable information.
- Time savings: Automation capabilities eliminate repetitive tasks, freeing up your team's time for more strategic work.
- Enhanced decision-making: Real-time processing offers timely data insights, aiding faster and more informed decisions.
- Better data management: Integration support allows seamless data consolidation from multiple sources, improving organization.
- Scalability: Easily handles increasing data volumes and user demands, supporting business growth.
- Increased security: Security safeguards protect sensitive data, ensuring compliance with regulations and reducing risk.
- Customizable workflows: Customizability lets you tailor processes to fit your specific business needs, improving efficiency.
Costs & Pricing
Selecting ETL software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in ETL software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for ETL Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic data extraction, limited transformation capabilities, and community support. |
| Personal Plan | $10-$30/user/month | Data extraction, basic transformation tools, limited integrations, and email support. |
| Business Plan | $50-$100/user/month | Advanced data transformation, multiple integrations, scheduling automation, and priority support. |
| Enterprise Plan | $150-$300/user/month | Customizable workflows, real-time processing, high-level security, and dedicated account management. |
ETL Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about ETL software:
Can ETL software integrate with cloud services?
Yes, most ETL software can integrate with cloud services. Many tools offer built-in connectors for popular cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. This capability allows you to handle cloud-based data efficiently and ensures your data processes align with modern cloud strategies.
Is technical expertise required to use ETL software?
Some technical expertise is helpful, but not always necessary. Many ETL tools offer user-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop features that simplify data handling. However, a basic understanding of data processes and system integrations can enhance your experience and help you make the most of the software.
Can ETL software handle real-time data?
Yes, some ETL software can handle real-time data processing. This feature allows you to work with up-to-the-minute data, which is crucial for time-sensitive decision-making. If real-time processing is important for your team, look for ETL tools that specifically offer this capability.
What should you check for data security in ETL software?
Ensure it supports encryption, access control, and compliance with standards like SOC 2 or GDPR. Data security should be part of your evaluation from the start.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching ETL software, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.
