Fivetran FAQs: Answers to Your Most Common Questions

Do you have questions about what Fivetran does, what connectors it supports, and most importantly, how you can predict its pricing? No need to switch tabs. We have it all here.

This guide answers the 30 most-asked Fivetran FAQs without beating around the bush. We cover everything from onboarding and pricing to troubleshooting and security. Let’s get into it.

Getting Started With Fivetran

1. What do I need to start with Fivetran?

You can start by signing up for a 14-day free trial on Fivetran’s website. It doesn’t require a credit card, and you get access to all features, including enterprise-level capabilities.

Your trial officially starts when your first connector completes an initial sync or begins an incremental sync.

To get started, you’ll also need access credentials for your data source and destination warehouse. Fivetran guides you step-by-step throughout the setup process. You can contact the Fivetran support during the trial.

After the trial, you can stick with the free plan, which doesn’t require a credit card. If you have advanced requirements, you can upgrade to a paid plan.

2. Which data sources and connectors does Fivetran support?

Fivetran comes with a collection of 700+ fully managed connectors. You can connect to SaaS applications, databases, ERPs, event streams, cloud storage, and analytics tools.

It supports popular tools such as Salesforce, Shopify, HubSpot, Google Ads, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and SAP ERP. These cover use cases across marketing, sales, finance, product, and operations.

Explore the full list of connectors in Fivetran’s Connector Directory, where you can filter by category and find setup guides, API limitations, and supported sync features.

3. What if Fivetran doesn’t have a connector for my data source?

If your data source isn’t listed in Fivetran’s connectors directory, you have a few reliable workarounds.

1. Submit a request: You can request a new Lite connector for a SaaS application source through Fivetran’s By Request program. Fivetran may prioritize building it based on demand.
2. Use file-based connectors: Export your data as CSV, JSON, or Parquet, and upload it to cloud storage like Google Drive, S3, or Dropbox. Fivetran then syncs it with file connectors.
3. Connect directly to the database: If your source stores data in a Fivetran-supported database, like MySQL or PostgreSQL, you can connect directly to that backend for a smoother and more complete sync.
4. Webhooks (if available): If your source supports webhooks, you can push real-time event data directly to Fivetran.

Technical teams also have the option to build a custom connector using Fivetran Functions or the Python-based Connect SDK.

4. Which data warehouses does Fivetran integrate with?

Fivetran works with most major data warehouses, letting you send data where your team already works.

It integrates with popular data platforms like Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, Databricks, and Azure Synapse.

You can also connect to traditional databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQL Server if you use them as destinations.

If you’re working with a data lake setup, Fivetran supports object storage options, like Amazon S3 and Azure Data Lake Storage.

5. How do I get help with Fivetran onboarding and setup?

Fivetran provides support right from your free trial. You can access detailed setup guides and FAQs in the Help Center. They cover everything from connector configuration to sync troubleshooting.

For direct assistance, you can create a ticket through the Support link in your dashboard. This launches Fivetran’s Zendesk-based portal, where you can create, track, or update support tickets.

Paid users get priority email support and 24/7 availability with faster response time, depending on the nature of the problem. Enterprise and Business Critical users may receive responses in as little as one hour.

You can also purchase Fivetran’s Professional Services for expert help with implementation and custom connectors.

Pricing, Plans & Usage

1. How does Fivetran’s pricing work?

Fivetran uses a usage-based pricing model. You are billed monthly based on the actively moved data per connection, measured in Monthly Active Rows (MAR).

Here are the four pricing tiers:

• Free: Limits monthly usage up to 500,000 MAR and 5,000 model runs
• Standard: Offers more connectors and basic support.
• Enterprise: Provides advanced security, quicker syncs, and priority support.
• Business Critical: Adds compliance features, advanced SLAs, and all Enterprise features.

You can choose a monthly billing or commit to an annual plan, with discounts for long-term commitments.

Fivetran also charges for transformation usage, such as dbt model runs, at a tiered rate.

Check out this article to understand the updates in Fivetran’s pricing in 2025.

2. What is a Monthly Active Row (MAR)?

Monthly Active Row (MAR) calculates the unique rows added, updated, or deleted in a source and synced to the destination during a given month.

Each row is only counted once per connection, even if it changes several times in a month. Deleted rows also count if your connector supports the ‘Capture Deletes’ feature, since they’re marked as updates in the warehouse.

The more rows you move, the lower the per-row cost becomes. However, it charges you per connection, not across your entire account. This is the main metric that affects your monthly bill, and it tends to get expensive with large datasets.

This is one of the reasons why many users explore Fivetran alternatives that offer more flexibility and lower costs.

3. How can I estimate my Fivetran costs?

Try Fivetran’s Pricing Estimator to calculate monthly or yearly per-connector costs. Just enter your plan type, sync frequency, number of connectors, and an estimated MAR. This estimator gives a per-connection pricing estimate based on your inputs.

Once your trial runs for seven days, the Billing & Usage page in your dashboard will display a projected MAR range. This estimate includes a 20% margin above and below to help you plan for any usage fluctuations.

4. Can I extend my trial or pause my account during evaluation?

Yes. Fivetran allows you to request a trial extension or pause your account during evaluation. Submit a request through Fivetran support or your account specialist.

Each new connection added, whether during or after the trial, comes with a 14-day free usage period. So, you can test connectors at your own pace without rushing.

5. How do I monitor usage and control sync-related costs?

Fivetran provides built-in tools to keep usage and costs in check.

• Billing & usage dashboard: Track Monthly Active Rows (MAR) and transformation usage per connection with daily updates.
• Usage alerts: Set custom thresholds to get notified when your MAR or spending approaches a limit. 
• Platform connector: This free Fivetran connector sends logs and syncs data to your warehouse, letting you track activity using your BI tools.
• Connector settings: Reduce MAR by excluding unnecessary tables, schemas, or columns from syncs.
• Alerts tab: Stay informed about sync failures, permission issues, or delays that may disrupt your pipelines.

Data Syncing & Performance

1. How frequently can Fivetran sync my data?

Fivetran syncs data every 6 hours by default. However, you can adjust the sync frequency to one of the available options based on your plans and connector, ranging from 5 minutes to 24 hours.

Enterprise and Business Critical users can access 1-minute syncs, but it isn’t available for Lite connectors.

Syncs can also be manually initiated through the dashboard or the REST API.

2. Why are my Fivetran syncs delayed or slower than expected?

Fivetran syncs may be slower if your source system has API rate limits, large amounts of data, or if you have overlapping sync scheduling. Sometimes, the issue is with the performance of your source or destination system itself.

You can reduce delays by adjusting your sync frequency or narrowing the data you sync. Fivetran tracks sync history, helping you spot and resolve issues early.

3. Can I configure or throttle sync frequency to manage cost and load?

Yes. Fivetran lets you set sync intervals between 1 minute and 24 hours, depending on your plan. While syncing often doesn’t increase your Monthly Active Rows (MAR), it can cause more row changes and increase load on your systems.

If you want to manage system load, you can lower the sync frequency or exclude unnecessary data. You can lower costs by consolidating more data under one connector.

Fivetran’s pricing model offers volume discounts per connection. The more data you sync through a connection, the lower your per-row cost becomes.

4. What should I do if the required data isn’t syncing to my warehouse?

Start by checking your connector’s schema settings to see if the missing table or field is enabled. If it’s off, enable it and resync.

Next, make sure the data exists in your source and that Fivetran has permission to access it. Some fields might not sync due to API limits or because they aren’t supported. Check the connector documentation for details.

If needed, you can re-sync a full table, use workarounds like uploading a CSV file, or using a Function connector to pull missing data.

5. What are the SLAs or guarantees around data freshness in Fivetran?

Fivetran doesn’t promise real-time data delivery, but it does offer strong reliability. For Standard plans and above, it guarantees 99.9% uptime for its core services.

Enterprise and Business Critical plans also get a 99.9% data delivery SLA, meaning your scheduled syncs will run on time almost always. However, this applies only when every table has synced successfully to your destination for five straight days.

Troubleshooting & Error Handling

1. How do I fix Fivetran connector failures or timeouts?

First, check the log or sync history in your Fivetran dashboard to understand what caused the failure. You can also try triggering a manual sync to see if it resolves the issue.

If syncs keep timing out, try lowering the sync frequency, syncing fewer tables, or checking for API rate limits.

If you see a ‘Connection Timed Out’ error, your source may be blocking access. Make sure your data source has allowed Fivetran’s IPs based on your provider and region. Also, the database’s login timeout should be at least 180 seconds.

To fix ongoing issues, try re-syncing the table or setting up the connector again.

Always refer to the connector’s documentation and reach out to Fivetran support if required.

2. What do Fivetran error messages mean, and how do I resolve them?

You’ll find error messages under the Alerts tab in your dashboard. They could be due to connection issues, permission errors, misconfigured source files, or destination problems.

Click to view the full error message details in your dashboard. You’ll see details about the issue and steps to fix it.

Follow the instructions to fix the issue. Then either wait for the next sync or manually trigger one from your dashboard. Once the sync is successful, the error disappears from your Alerts.

3. How can I troubleshoot database connector issues in Fivetran?

Start by checking for schema changes like renamed or deleted tables. These can break syncs. Refresh the schema in your connector settings and ensure Fivetran can detect and sync the latest structure.

Confirm your connection details, like host, port, credentials, and certificates, such as SSL, are correct and up to date.

Next, make sure your database is publicly accessible and has safelisted Fivetran’s IPs for two-way traffic on the right port.

For CDC tables, verify your sync modes still align with your schema setup and adjust if needed.

For further issues, check Fivetran’s Databases Troubleshooting guide or specific connector documentation. You can also contact support if required.

4. How can I address issues with specific connectors like Salesforce or Facebook Ads?

Every connector is different. Some, like Salesforce or Facebook Ads, may have unique requirements or limitations.

Checking the Logs or Alerts tab in your dashboard should be your priority to see what’s wrong. Common issues include permission errors, unsupported fields, or missing data due to configuration limits.

For accurate help, it’s best to visit the connector’s documentation page to resolve common issues.

5. How can I manage alerts and notifications for sync issues?

Fivetran provides an Alerts tab for when there’s a problem. Errors (in red) stop your syncs, while warnings flag issues that don’t block syncing.

Prioritize errors and resolve them as soon as possible to avoid further sync disruptions.

Fivetran sends email notifications for sync delays, errors, or when your trial is about to end. You can customize them in the Notifications settings and choose what alerts to receive and when.

Schema, Transformations & APIs

1. How does Fivetran handle schema changes or API updates from source systems?

Fivetran automatically handles most schema changes for you. If you add a new table or column in your source, Fivetran detects it during the next sync and adds it to your destination.

When a row or table is deleted in your source, Fivetran applies a ‘soft delete’. It flags the data as deleted but doesn’t remove it, so your historical records stay intact.

If a source system updates its API, Fivetran updates the connector on its end.

2. Why did Fivetran change my field names or table structure?

Fivetran renames fields and tables to maintain a consistent naming pattern. It replaces spaces and special characters with underscores and ensures names don’t clash by adjusting duplicates.

This helps your data stay clean and easy to query once it lands in the destination. If you prefer to keep original names, some connectors offer that option during setup.

3. Does Fivetran support transformations and dbt integration?

Yes. Unlike the traditional ETL tools, Fivetran follows an ELT approach and supports post-load data transformations with dbt. If you have a technical background, you can connect it with dbt Core or dbt Cloud to manage your SQL logic.

You can even version-control your dbt projects using Git and automate transformations to run after every sync. It makes your data ready for analysis with less manual effort.

4. Does Fivetran support Change Data Capture (CDC) for databases?

Yes, Fivetran supports change data capture (CDC) for most databases by reading transaction logs to capture inserts, updates, and deletes in near real-time.

For larger or more complex setups, you can access Fivetran HVR, which uses agent-based connectors to move data efficiently without overloading the source system and maintaining high performance.

5. Do I need to take action when APIs or schemas change on the source side

Usually not. Fivetran manages most schema and API changes automatically, so your pipelines rarely require any manual intervention.

You can adjust how schema changes are applied in your connector settings, like whether new tables are synced automatically or only with manual approval.

If you’re using manual schema management, you may need to approve new tables or columns before they’re synced. You will be notified when this happens.

Security, Compliance & Data Control

1. How secure is Fivetran? Is it GDPR compliant?

Fivetran has reliable security. It encrypts your data both in transit and at rest, and holds certifications like ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

It’s also fully GDPR compliant. As a data processor, Fivetran offers a strong Data Processing Agreement and supports international data transfers.

2. Where is Fivetran hosted? Can I choose my region?

Fivetran hosts its infrastructure across regions like the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and India.

You can choose your preferred region when setting up a destination to meet compliance needs and reduce latency.

3. Does Fivetran store my data long-term?

No, Fivetran does not store your data long-term. It only retains your data long enough to sync it to your destinations, which is for less than 8 hours.

For temporary or in-process data like change logs, it’s removed within 24 hours. Only your destination warehouse holds your data long-term.

4. Can I block or filter sensitive data from syncing to my warehouse?

Yes, Fivetran lets you block specific tables or columns during setup, so sensitive data never enters your warehouse.

Columns can be hashed to secure data without changing its format or structure. For database sources, you can apply row-level filtering during the initial sync to move only relevant data.

5. Does Fivetran support SSH tunnels or other secure connection methods?

Yes, Fivetran gives you several secure ways to connect to your database, depending on your network setup.

The easiest option is to allow Fivetran’s IPs to connect directly. If direct access isn’t possible, you can use an SSH tunnel or a reverse SSH tunnel for added security.

For even more control, private networking options like AWS PrivateLink, Azure Private Link, and Google Cloud Private Service Connect keep data off the public internet.

VPN tunnels and Proxy Agents are also supported for more flexibility behind firewalls or restricted environments.

Are you curious how Fivetran compares with data integration tools like Hevo? Read our in-depth Hevo vs Fivetran comparison to find out which one is right for you.