Top SAP Data Services Alternatives & Competitors For 2024

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Looking for alternatives to SAP Data Services? Many users crave user-friendly and feature-rich solutions for tasks like Data Delivery, Workflow Management, and Data Transformation. Leveraging crowdsourced data from over 1,000 real ETL Tools selection projects based on 400+ capabilities, we present a comparison of SAP Data Services to leading industry alternatives like Fivetran, InfoSphere Information Server, Dataflow, and Hevo.

Product Basics

Formerly known as BusinessObjects Data Services (BODS), it’s part of the information management layer of SAP’s Business Technology Platform. With a focus on data quality, it extracts, transforms and loads all data types to enterprise interfaces.

Dashboards enable visual analytics and display the impact of data quality issues on downstream workflows. Auto documentation allows teams to write dataflow information and add comments for collaboration. An intuitive UI and Unicode compliance provide localization across more than 190 countries. Data security is ensured with AES 128-bit encryption.

Pros:
  • Robust transformations
  • Scalable for large volumes
  • Tight SAP integration
  • Visual job design
  • Centralized governance
Cons:
  • High cost and licensing
  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited open source
  • SAP ecosystem dependence
  • Complex job maintenance
read more...
Fivetran is a cloud-native data extraction tool that simplifies and streamlines the data analysis process with a zero-maintenance pipeline that ensures expedient, transparent delivery of data from source to warehouse. Built to empower analysts, it allows users to accelerate analytics and achieve faster time-to-insights without the need for complex engineering, promoting more efficient data-driven decision-making for users of all technical skill levels.

Suitable for small to large companies, it is a public-cloud hosted SaaS available through annual subscriptions, paid via invoice. Pricing is volume based with three tiers of plans, in ascending order of offerings and cost: Starter, Standard and Enterprise.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Connects to many data sources
  • Fast and reliable data pipelines
  • Centralized data management
  • Scalable for large data volumes
Cons
  • Limited customizability
  • Can be expensive for complex needs
  • Not ideal for real-time data
  • Limited support for data transformations
  • Learning curve for advanced features
read more...
InfoSphere Information Server is a data integration powerhouse designed to unify information across complex, diverse systems. It excels at extracting, transforming, and loading data (ETL/ELT) for tasks like building data warehouses, powering analytics, and driving business insights. Best suited for large enterprises with demanding data needs and dedicated IT resources, InfoSphere boasts robust features like comprehensive data source/target connectors, powerful transformation tools, and advanced governance capabilities. User feedback highlights its scalability, security, and job automation as key benefits. However, its complexity and steep learning curve can be daunting for smaller setups. Additionally, the high licensing costs and resource-intensive nature might dissuade budget-conscious organizations. Compared to other data integration tools, InfoSphere leans towards high-volume, mission-critical scenarios, while alternative options might offer simpler setups or cater to broader use cases. Choosing the right fit depends on individual needs and priorities. Ultimately, InfoSphere Information Server shines when organizations need a robust, feature-rich platform to conquer complex data challenges, even at the cost of increased upfront investment and initial learning hurdles.

Pros
  • Powerful ETL & ELT capabilities
  • Wide range of data sources & targets
  • Job scheduling & monitoring
  • Data quality & transformation tools
  • Scalable & secure architecture
Cons
  • Steep learning curve & complexity
  • High licensing costs
  • Limited out-of-the-box connectors
  • Performance bottlenecks with large datasets
  • Resource-intensive for deployment & maintenance
read more...
Dataflow, a streaming analytics software, ingests and processes high-volume, real-time data streams. Imagine it as a powerful pipeline continuously analyzing incoming data, enabling you to react instantly to insights. It caters to businesses needing to analyze data in motion, like financial institutions tracking stock prices or sensor-driven applications monitoring equipment performance. Dataflow's key benefits include scalability to handle massive data volumes, flexibility to adapt to various data sources and analysis needs, and unified processing for both batch and real-time data. Popular features involve visual interface for building data pipelines, built-in machine learning tools for pattern recognition, and seamless integration with other cloud services. Compared to similar products, user experiences highlight Dataflow's ease of use, cost-effectiveness (pay-per-use based on data processed), and serverless architecture, eliminating infrastructure management overheads. However, some users mention limitations in customizability and occasional processing delays for complex workloads.

Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Cost-effective
  • Serverless architecture
  • Scalable
  • Flexible
Cons
  • Limited customization
  • Occasional processing delays
  • Learning curve for complex pipelines
  • Could benefit from more built-in templates
  • Dependency on other cloud services
read more...
Hevo is a fully managed end-to-end data pipeline service for enterprises of all sizes. Businesses can glean proprietary insights from disparate sources that include live data from streaming devices. With its no-code interface and automated workflows, data teams can integrate business information for reporting and analytics.

It enables running minimum-impact data workflows, setting aside erroneous events and anomalous records for redressal, then assimilating them directly into the pipeline. The vendor offers a 14-day free trial while providing a few free SaaS sources to create data pipelines. Users of the Free plan have access to both free and paid sources.

Pros:
  • Cloud-based, low overhead
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Wide range of connectors
  • Cost-effective for basic needs
  • Automated data refresh
Cons:
  • Limited customization options
  • Not ideal for complex needs
  • Scalability concerns
  • Limited data transformations
  • Limited open source integration
  • Pricing can increase with usage
  • Vendor lock-in concerns
read more...
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Product Assistance

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Product Ranking

#29

among all
ETL Tools

#7

among all
ETL Tools

#32

among all
ETL Tools

#15

among all
ETL Tools

#28

among all
ETL Tools

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

95
90
97
94
87
100
86
100
93
93
92
75
99
78
83
89
93
94
92
90
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Data Delivery
Data Transformation
Performance and Scalability
Platform Capabilities
Platform Security
Platform Capabilities
Platform Security
Metadata Management
Data Transformation
Data Sources and Targets Connectivity
Data Delivery
Metadata Management
Platform Security
Workflow Management
Data Quality
Data Transformation
Metadata Management
Platform Security
Workflow Management
Data Delivery
Performance and Scalability
Metadata Management
Data Delivery
Data Sources and Targets Connectivity
Platform Capabilities

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

SAP Data Services
Fivetran
InfoSphere Information Server
Dataflow
Hevo
+ Add Product + Add Product
Data Delivery Data Quality Data Sources and Targets Connectivity Data Transformation Metadata Management Platform Capabilities Workflow Management 100 92 89 100 93 100 96 86 75 93 94 96 100 81 100 99 94 95 100 0 100 93 78 92 100 100 0 100 93 83 90 81 96 86 84 0 25 50 75 100
100%
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80%
20%
100%
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80%
20%
90%
10%
77%
23%
69%
31%
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42%
77%
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89%
11%
93%
7%
86%
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86%
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70%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

100%
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83%
17%
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91%
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 112 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 28 reviews
Good User Sentiment 80 reviews
Great User Sentiment 106 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 83 reviews
80%
of users recommend this product

SAP Data Services has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 80% when considering 112 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

92%
of users recommend this product

Fivetran has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 28 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

77%
of users recommend this product

InfoSphere Information Server has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 77% when considering 80 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

86%
of users recommend this product

Dataflow has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 106 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

94%
of users recommend this product

Hevo has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 94% when considering 83 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

3.9 (31)
n/a
4.0 (21)
4.1 (31)
4.7 (21)
n/a
4.64 (14)
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4.67 (42)
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4.6 (14)
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n/a
4.8 (20)
4.1 (54)
n/a
4.6 (27)
4.4 (59)
n/a
4.0 (27)
n/a
3.1 (32)
4.2 (16)
n/a

Awards

Data Transformation Award
User Favorite Award
Workflow Management Award
Data Transformation Award
Workflow Management Award
User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Robust Data Transformations: Handles complex data cleansing, manipulation, and enrichment tasks with a wide range of built-in functions, ensuring data quality and accuracy for downstream analytics.
Tight SAP Integration: Seamlessly connects and transforms data within the SAP ecosystem, simplifying data flows and reducing integration complexity for SAP-centric organizations.
Scalable for Large Volumes: Efficiently handles high data volumes with parallel processing, data partitioning, and optimization techniques, ensuring smooth performance for growing data needs.
Visual Job Design: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface simplifies job creation and maintenance, making data integration accessible even for users with less technical expertise.
Centralized Governance: Provides centralized control and monitoring of data flows, ensuring data consistency, lineage tracking, and adherence to compliance regulations.
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Effortless Data Integration: Connects to hundreds of data sources with pre-built connectors and minimal setup.
Automated Data Pipelines: Schedules and runs data transfers reliably, freeing up time for analysis.
Centralized Data Management: Provides a single source of truth for all your data, simplifying reporting and decision-making.
Scalable for Growth: Handles large data volumes with ease, adapting to your evolving needs.
Improved Data Visibility: Makes data readily available for everyone in your organization, fostering data-driven decision-making.
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Powerful Data Handling: Handles complex ETL/ELT processes and diverse data sources (relational, flat files, cloud platforms) with ease, streamlining data movement and integration.
Enhanced Data Quality: Ensures data accuracy and consistency through robust cleansing, validation, and transformation tools, boosting trust and reliability in data insights.
Scalability and Security: Supports large data volumes and complex integrations with confidence, safeguarding sensitive information through granular access controls and encryption.
Job Automation and Monitoring: Automates data pipelines and workflows, reducing manual effort and simplifying task management with comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Improved Operational Efficiency: Centralizes data integration processes, eliminates data silos, and frees up IT resources for higher-value tasks, leading to cost savings and increased productivity.
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Ease of use: Users consistently praise Dataflow's intuitive interface, drag-and-drop pipeline building, and visual representations of data flows, making it accessible even for those without extensive coding experience.
Cost-effectiveness: Dataflow's pay-as-you-go model is highly appealing, as users only pay for the compute resources they actually use, aligning costs with data processing needs and avoiding upfront infrastructure investments.
Serverless architecture: Users appreciate Dataflow's ability to automatically scale resources based on workload, eliminating the need for manual provisioning and management of servers, reducing operational overhead and streamlining data processing.
Scalability: Dataflow's ability to seamlessly handle massive data volumes and fluctuating traffic patterns is highly valued by users, ensuring reliable performance even during peak usage periods or when dealing with large datasets.
Integration with other cloud services: Users find Dataflow's integration with other cloud services, such as storage, BigQuery, and machine learning tools, to be a significant advantage, enabling the creation of comprehensive data pipelines and analytics workflows within a unified ecosystem.
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Effortless Data Integration: Pre-built connectors and user-friendly interface simplify data extraction from diverse sources without complex coding, ideal for non-technical users.
Automated Data Pipelines: Schedule data refresh automatically and ensure timely updates in your target destination, reducing manual intervention and improving data freshness.
Cloud-Based Scalability: Serverless architecture automatically scales to accommodate growing data volumes without infrastructure management, offering flexibility and cost-efficiency.
Cost-Effective for Basic Needs: Free tier and tiered pricing plans cater to various data volumes and budgets, making Hevo an attractive option for startups and small businesses.
Actionable Data Insights: Monitoring tools and alerts provide real-time visibility into pipeline performance and data quality, enabling proactive troubleshooting and informed decision-making.
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High Cost and Licensing: Requires separate licensing fees on top of existing SAP licenses, with costs scaling based on features, user licenses, and deployment options. Can be expensive compared to open-source or alternative data integration tools.
Steep Learning Curve: Mastering the visual job design and complex data transformations can require significant training and experience, especially for users unfamiliar with the platform.
Limited Open Source: Relies heavily on proprietary SAP technologies and lacks extensive open-source integrations, potentially restricting customization and community support compared to more open platforms.
SAP Ecosystem Dependence: Tight integration with the SAP ecosystem can limit flexibility and increase costs for organizations using other data sources or platforms.
Complex Job Maintenance: Managing and maintaining complex data flows with numerous transformations and dependencies can be challenging, requiring specialized expertise.
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Limited Customizability: Relies on pre-built connectors, making complex data pipelines or transformations challenging.
Costly for Advanced Needs: Pricing scales with data volume and complexity, becoming expensive for intricate ETL processes.
Batch-Oriented Transfers: Focuses on scheduled data refreshes, not ideal for real-time needs or low-latency pipelines.
Basic Data Transformations: Offers limited built-in transformations, requiring additional tools for complex data manipulation.
Advanced Feature Learning Curve: Mastering custom connectors, scripting, or other advanced features requires technical expertise.
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Steep Learning Curve: Complex interface and feature-rich platform require significant training and expertise, even for experienced data professionals.
High Cost of Ownership: Licensing fees, maintenance, and potential hardware/infrastructure upgrades can make it a costly solution for smaller organizations or simpler data needs.
Limited Out-of-the-Box Connectors: May require custom development or third-party tools for integration with certain data sources or applications, increasing implementation complexity and costs.
Performance Bottlenecks: Can experience slowdowns or scalability issues with very large datasets or intricate ETL/ELT processes, demanding careful optimization and resource allocation.
Limited Cloud-Native Functionality: Core features are primarily designed for on-premises deployments, with cloud options requiring additional setup and configuration, potentially hindering agility and flexibility.
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Limited customization: Some users express constraints in tailoring certain aspects of Dataflow's behavior to precisely match specific use cases, potentially requiring workarounds or compromises.
Occasional processing delays: While generally efficient, users have reported occasional delays in processing, especially with complex pipelines or during periods of high data volume, which could impact real-time analytics.
Learning curve for complex pipelines: Building intricate Dataflow pipelines can involve a steeper learning curve, especially for those less familiar with Apache Beam concepts or distributed data processing principles.
Dependency on other cloud services: Dataflow's seamless integration with other cloud services is also seen as a potential drawback by some users, as it can increase vendor lock-in and limit portability across different cloud platforms.
Need for more built-in templates: Users often request a wider range of pre-built templates and integrations with external data sources to accelerate pipeline development and streamline common use cases.
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Customization Constraints: While pre-built connectors are convenient, advanced data manipulation needs often require more scripting and transformation options, pushing users beyond Hevo's capabilities.
Scalability Concerns for Large Data: Handling massive datasets can lead to performance issues or limitations, particularly with complex file processing, raising concerns for organizations with rapidly growing data volumes.
Vendor Lock-in Potential: Proprietary data formats and limited open-source integration might complicate migration to other platforms in the future, making it less flexible for organizations with long-term growth plans.
Pay-as-you-go Cost Fluctuations: Unpredictable data usage can lead to unexpected charges under the pay-as-you-go model, requiring careful monitoring and potentially exceeding budget limitations.
Limited Community Support: Compared to open-source alternatives, Hevo's smaller community can offer less troubleshooting support and resource availability for specific use cases.
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User reviews of SAP Data Services paint a contrasting picture. Proponents praise its robust data transformations, seamless SAP integration, and scalability for handling large data volumes. The visual job design and centralized governance features further attract organizations needing intuitive data flow creation and efficient data lineage management. Additionally, SAP Data Services shines in SAP-centric environments, simplifying data movement within existing infrastructure. However, critics point to its high cost and complex licensing as major drawbacks, making it less compelling for organizations on a budget or using diverse data sources. The steep learning curve and limited open-source compatibility can also be hurdles, requiring dedicated training and potentially restricting customization options. Compared to open-source alternatives like Talend or Apache Airflow, SAP Data Services offers less flexibility and community support. Additionally, its tight dependence on the SAP ecosystem can add complexities and raise costs for organizations not fully invested in SAP solutions. Ultimately, SAP Data Services excels in data transformation, scalability, and seamless SAP integration, making it a powerful choice for SAP-centric organizations with complex data needs and the resources to invest in its capabilities. However, its high cost, limited open source, and SAP dependence make it less suitable for budget-conscious organizations or those seeking greater platform flexibility and broader community support.

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Users praise Fivetran for its ease of use and effortless data integration. "Setting up connectors is straightforward," one reviewer comments, "like plugging in appliances." This plug-and-play simplicity sets it apart from competitors like Stitch, often lauded for its flexibility but criticized for a steeper learning curve. However, Fivetran's strength in pre-built connectors comes at a cost: limited customizability. While users love its "seamless data movement," another user points out it's "not ideal for complex transformations," requiring additional tools that negate its initial ease. This lack of advanced ETL capabilities puts it behind platforms like Informatica PowerCenter, but at a fraction of the cost. Ultimately, Fivetran shines for its user-friendly approach and reliable data pipelines, perfect for businesses prioritizing simplicity and scalability. But for complex data manipulation or real-time needs, users might find themselves yearning for the power and flexibility of other ETL solutions.

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User reviews of InfoSphere Information Server paint a picture of a powerful data integration tool, capable of handling complex tasks and diverse data sources. Admiration for its robust ETL/ELT capabilities, data quality tools, and secure architecture echoes frequently, with users citing improved data accuracy and streamlined data movement as major benefits. Automation features and job monitoring are also praised for boosting operational efficiency and freeing up resources. However, the praise comes with caveats. The steep learning curve and demanding resource requirements are consistent gripes, making InfoSphere a better fit for larger organizations with dedicated IT expertise and infrastructure. The high cost of ownership, including licensing, maintenance, and potential hardware upgrades, further strengthens this point. Additionally, the limited out-of-the-box connectors and potential performance bottlenecks with massive datasets are concerns for some users. Compared to competitors, InfoSphere shines in its scalability and security, catering to high-volume, mission-critical scenarios. However, users also acknowledge the presence of simpler, more user-friendly options that might be better suited for smaller setups or less complex data needs. Ultimately, the choice boils down to individual priorities. If data volume, security, and advanced features are paramount, InfoSphere stands out, despite its demanding nature. But for those seeking a smoother learning curve or broader use cases, other solutions might offer a better fit. In essence, user reviews reveal InfoSphere Information Server as a powerful tool for complex data challenges, but its strengths come with a price tag and learning curve. Carefully evaluating data needs and priorities is crucial before choosing this data integration powerhouse.

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Dataflow, a cloud-based streaming analytics platform, garners praise for its ease of use, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Users, particularly those new to streaming analytics or with limited coding experience, appreciate the intuitive interface and visual pipeline building, making it a breeze to get started compared to competitors that require more programming expertise. Additionally, Dataflow's serverless architecture and pay-as-you-go model are highly attractive, eliminating infrastructure management burdens and aligning costs with actual data processing needs, unlike some competitors with fixed costs or complex pricing structures. However, Dataflow isn't without its drawbacks. Some users find it less customizable than competing solutions, potentially limiting its suitability for highly specific use cases. Occasional processing delays, especially for intricate pipelines or high data volumes, can also be a concern, impacting real-time analytics capabilities. Furthermore, while Dataflow integrates well with other Google Cloud services, this tight coupling can restrict portability to other cloud platforms, something competitors with broader cloud compatibility might offer. Ultimately, Dataflow's strengths in user-friendliness, scalability, and cost-effectiveness make it a compelling choice for those new to streaming analytics or seeking a flexible, cost-conscious solution. However, its limitations in customization and potential processing delays might necessitate exploring alternatives for highly specialized use cases or mission-critical, real-time analytics.

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Hevo user reviews paint a contrasting picture. Proponents praise its effortless data integration with pre-built connectors and a user-friendly interface, making it ideal for non-technical users and reducing the need for complex coding. Automated data pipelines and cloud-based scalability further attract users seeking timely data updates and flexible infrastructure. Additionally, Hevo's free tier and tiered pricing plans are lauded for being cost-effective, especially for startups and businesses with basic needs. However, critics point out limitations in Hevo's customization options. While its pre-built tools are convenient, users with complex data manipulation needs crave more flexibility and scripting options, citing challenges in tailoring pipelines for specific requirements. Scalability concerns also emerge for handling massive datasets, with some users reporting occasional performance issues. Additionally, Hevo's proprietary data format and limited open-source integration raise concerns about vendor lock-in, making it less suitable for organizations prioritizing future platform flexibility. Finally, the pay-as-you-go model can lead to unexpected costs for businesses with unpredictable data fluctuations. Compared to similar ETL tools like Fivetran or Stitch, Hevo shines in its user-friendliness and affordability. However, its limitations in customization, scalability for large data, and potential for vendor lock-in can be dealbreakers for complex ETL needs. Ultimately, Hevo excels in simplifying data integration for users with basic or moderate data volumes and budget constraints, but organizations with advanced requirements or demanding flexibility might need to explore alternative solutions.

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Related Categories

Top Alternatives in ETL Tools


AWS Glue

Azure Data Factory

Cloud Data Fusion

Dataflow

DataStage

Fivetran

Hevo

IDMC

Informatica PowerCenter

InfoSphere Information Server

Integrate.io

Oracle Data Integrator

Pentaho

Qlik Talend Data Integration

SAS Data Management

Skyvia

SQL Server

SQL Server Integration Services

Talend

TIBCO Cloud Integration

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