Is Your dbt Cloud Too Expensive? Find a Better Alternative Here!

Modern data systems heavily rely on data transformation, and dbt (data build tool) has become a popular choice for cloud data transformation, testing, and data documentation. One issue, nevertheless, keeps popping up as companies increase their data operations: can dbt Cloud pricing be too costly?

The use-based pricing strategy of dbt Cloud, especially for growing teams, lets costs quickly accumulate under business subscriptions. You are not alone if you have been researching dbt pricing, dbt Cloud fees, or dbt license fees. Many businesses are looking for low-cost yet nonetheless powerful strategies to maximize the tremendous, transformational power of dbt.  

Hevo Transformer is a free substitute that lets you do transformations with dbt Core without paying the expensive cost. Let us get into the details.  

Understanding dbt Pricing  

Before we explore alternatives, it’s important to understand how dbt Cloud pricing works. From a basic developer plan to enterprise pricing, dbt Cloud provides various options with cost scaling depending on usage and features.  

dbt Cloud Tiers of Pricing  

1. Developer Plan

• Cost: Free
• Features:
  • Single User: Only one developer can use the plan.
  • Limited basic transformation ability:   You can create and run dbt models but without features for team collaboration and limited computational resources and execution time.
  • No team collaboration tools: This plan is meant for personal usage; hence, it lacks team-based processes, shared environments, or version control interfaces.
  • Limited Support: Access to community help (such as forums,and documentation) but not specifically from dbt Labs.
• Best for:
  • Individual developers or small teams just starting with dbt. Small teams or individual developers starting with dbt and wishing to explore its features.
  • Teams with minimal data transformation needs or those evaluating dbt before committing to a paid plan.

2. Team Plan

• Cost: Starts at $100 per developer per month. Additional costs for extra seats, increased usage, or advanced features may apply.
• Features:
  • Multiple Users: Supports multiple developers, making it ideal for collaborative teams.
  • Version Control Integration: Seamless integration with Git repositories (e.g., GitHub, GitLab) for managing code changes and collaboration.
  • Collaboration Tools: Features like shared environments, job scheduling, and team-based workflows.
  • Basic Support: Access to email support and community resources.
  • Increased Compute Resources: More robust execution environments compared to the Developer Plan.
  • Job Scheduling: Automate and schedule dbt jobs to run at specific intervals.
• Best For:
  • Small to mid-sized teams with multiple developers working on data transformation projects.
  • Teams need collaboration tools and version control to manage their dbt projects effectively.
  • Organizations that require scheduled jobs and more compute resources than the Developer Plan offers.

3. Enterprise Plan

• Cost: Custom pricing based on:
  • Number of developers.
  • Number of projects.
• Advanced features required (e.g., SSO, dedicated support)
• Features:
  • Scalability: Designed to handle large-scale data transformation needs across multiple projects and teams.
  • Advanced Security: Features like Single Sign-On (SSO), role-based access control (RBAC), and audit logs to ensure data security and compliance.
  • Dedicated Support: Priority support with SLAs (Service Level Agreements), a dedicated account manager, and faster response times.
  • Customizable Compute Resources: Ability to scale compute resources based on workload demands.
  • Advanced Collaboration: Enhanced team collaboration features, including granular permissions and project-level access controls.
  • API Access: Programmatic access to dbt Cloud for automation and integration with other tools.
• Best For:
  • Large enterprises with complex data transformation needs and multiple teams working on dbt projects.
  • Organizations that require advanced security features (e.g., SSO, RBAC) to meet compliance and governance requirements.
  • Companies that need dedicated support and scalability to handle high-volume data workloads.

dbt Cloud Usage-Based Pricing  

One of the most significant features of the pricing plan for dbt Cloud is that it is based on consumption. In light of this, it is possible for the expenses to grow as your consumption does rapidly. Here are examples:

• Do you have any additional transformations or jobs? There is a spike in your costs.
• Would you like to add more developers to your team? You must have to pay more.
• Do you require specialized support or advanced features such as single sign-on? Your costs will soon go up.

The usage-based pricing strategy can make it difficult for businesses to accurately anticipate and manage their dbt Cloud expenses, particularly when they are experiencing growth.   

The Unspoken Costs of dbt

Besides the costs of subscriptions, the general cost of dbt is affected by other factors, including the following:  

1. Infrastructure Cost

• It is possible that you will incur additional charges for CPU and storage if you run dbt Core on your own infrastructure, such as Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud Platform.
• It could happen that these costs will increase rather quickly, particularly if you are doing complex transformations or if you have a huge volume of data.

2. Maintenance Overhead

• Establishing, maintaining, and upgrading dbt Core on your own requires a significant investment of both time and money.
• It is likely that this will be a significant challenge for teams who do not have dedicated DevOps or data engineering capabilities.

3. Scalability Challenges

• As your data increases, so do your transformation needs, which could result in infrastructure or dbt usage-based pricing depending on what they include.  
• Increasing the size of dbt Core on your own infrastructure can be a challenging and time-consuming endeavor.  

These hidden costs make dbt Cloud pricing a challenging investment for many teams, particularly for startups and mid-sized businesses with tighter budgets.  

Introducing Hevo Transformer: A Free Alternative  

At Hevo, we believe that data transformation should not be expensive. This is why we are eager to present Hevo Transformer, a free utility allowing you to apply transformations using dbt Core without paying the heavy expenses connected with dbt Cloud.  

What is Hevo Transformer?  

A completely managed transformation solution, Hevo Transformer fits very nicely with dbt Core. It lets you: 

• Create and run dbt models straight on Hevo’s platform.  
• Automate changes without any worry about infrastructure or maintenance.  
• Collaborate with your team on transformation workflows. 

You can effortlessly transform raw data into actionable insights—denormalize, join, and aggregate directly within your warehouse. Hevo Transformer enable teams to make faster, smarter business decisions with confidence —all from one intuitive platform.

The best thing is that it’s absolutely free in the beta phase.

Key Features of Hevo Transformer  

1. Free to Use

• Cost-Effective: Hevo Transformer is free during its beta phase, making it an ideal solution for businesses with limited budgets.
• No Subscription Fees: Unlike other transformation tools, Hevo Transformer does not charge subscription fees or usage-based pricing during the beta period.
• Ideal for Startups and SMEs: Startups and small-to-mid-sized businesses can leverage powerful data transformation capabilities without incurring additional costs.

2. Fully Managed Service

• No Infrastructure Management: Hevo handles all the backend infrastructure, including servers, software updates, and scaling.
• Zero Maintenance: Users do not need to worry about maintaining the platform, allowing them to focus entirely on building and optimizing data models.
• Reliability: Hevo ensures high availability and reliability, reducing downtime and operational risks.

3. Seamless Integration with dbt Core

• Run dbt Models Directly on Hevo: Users can create, test, and run dbt models directly on Hevo’s platform without needing to set up separate environments.
• Cost Savings: By using Hevo Transformer, teams can avoid the expensive licensing fees associated with dbt Cloud.
• Leverage dbt Core’s Power: Hevo Transformer allows users to take full advantage of dbt Core’s capabilities, such as version control, modular SQL, and testing.

4. Collaboration Tools

• Team Collaboration: Hevo Transformer provides tools for teams to collaborate on transformation workflows in real-time.
• Share Models: Users can share dbt models with team members, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
• Track Changes: Version control and change tracking features make it easy to monitor updates and maintain consistency across transformations.
• Real-Time Coordination: Teams can work together on transformation pipelines, improving efficiency and reducing errors.

5. Scalable

• Grows with Your Business: Hevo Transformer is designed to scale effortlessly, whether you’re a small team or a large enterprise.
• No Hidden Costs: There are no usage restrictions or hidden fees, ensuring predictable costs as your data transformation needs to grow.
• Handles Large Workloads: The platform can manage large volumes of data and complex transformation workflows without compromising performance.

How Hevo Transformer Compares to dbt Cloud  

Here’s how Hevo Transformer stacks up against dbt Cloud pricing and features:  

Feature	Dbt Cloud	Hevo Transformer
Cost	Starts at $100/month	Free
Infrastructure	Managed by dbt Labs	Fully managed by Hevo
Scalability	Usage-based pricing	Free with no usage limits
Collaboration	Available in Teams/Enterprise Plans	Free for all users
Maintenance	Handled by dbt Labs	Handled by Hevo

For companies trying to maximize their data transformation budgets, Hevo Transformer offers the power of dbt Core without the dbt Cloud expenses. 

Real-World Use Cases for Hevo Transformer  

Through the usage of Hevo Transformer, the following are some examples of how businesses can reduce their expenditures on dbt:  

1. Startups

Using Hevo Transformer, startups with a restricted budget are able to do data transformations without incurring the high expenses associated with dbt Cloud. As a result, they are able to focus on expanding their business rather than on maintaining control over the costs of data transformation.

2. Mid-sized Companies

Hevo Transformer allows mid-sized businesses with rising data needs to scale their data transformations without breaking the bank. This enables them to invest in other areas of their company, such marketing or product development.

3. Large-scale Enterprises

Hevo Transformer enables businesses that have complex data transformation requirements to reduce the costs associated with their dbt Cloud services and free up additional resources for use in other crucial areas of their organization.   

Conclusion: Transform Your Data Without Breaking the Bank  

dbt Cloud is a powerful tool, but its pricing model can be a barrier for many organizations. If you’ve been searching for a more affordable way to leverage dbt Core, Hevo Transformer is here to help.  

With Hevo Transformer, you can enjoy the benefits of dbt Core—flexible, SQL-based transformations—without the high costs of dbt Cloud pricing. Whether you’re a startup, a mid-sized company, or an enterprise looking to cut costs, Hevo Transformer offers a free, fully managed solution for all your data transformation needs.  

Ready to get started? Check out Hevo Transformer today and see how you can transform your data for free.  

By choosing Hevo Transformer, you’re not just saving on dbt costs—you’re investing in a smarter, more cost-effective way to transform your data.

Frequently Asked Questions