Fivetran vs AWS Glue: Compare Leading ETL Tools with Features and Pricing

ETL tools have become important in efficiently handling integrated data. In this blog, we will discuss Fivetran vs AWS Glue, two influential ETL tools on the market. This will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the product’s features, pricing models, and real-world use cases, helping you choose the right solution.

Overview of Fivetran

G2 Rating: 4.2(377)

Capterra Rating: 4.7(20)

Fivetran is an enterprise-ready ETL tool that provides a fully managed data pipeline. It promises ease in data integration by automating data syncing from source to destination.

Key Features:

• Data Connectors: 500+ connectors for structured data.
• Automated Sync: Automated data synchronization ensures up-to-date data.
• Security: Adheres to SOC 1 & 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, etc.
• Customer Support: 24/7 technical support for all users.

Overview of AWS Glue

G2 Rating: 4.2(189)
Capterra Rating: 4.1(10)

AWS Glue is a completely managed ETL service from Amazon, which makes it easy to format and prepare data for machine learning, analytics, and application development.

Key Features:

• Serverless Architecture: AWS Glue is fully serverless, meaning you don’t have to manage infrastructure.
• Data Catalog: It automatically indexes and catalogs your data.
• Flexible Pricing: Pay-as-you-go pricing model with no upfront costs.
• Integration: Seamlessly integrates with the broader AWS ecosystem.

Pros and Cons of Each Tool

Here, we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of each tool:

Fivetran

Pros	Cons
Fully automated pipeline with minimal configuration requirements.	Pricing can be expensive as data volumes grow.
Supports a wide range of Data Connectors (500+)	Post-load transformations are handled externally (e.g., dbt), not within Fivetran.
Allows for Near Real-Time Data Movement	High reliance on Fivetran’s infrastructure makes switching difficult.
Works with Major Cloud platforms, allowing flexibility.	Lacks fine-grained control over pipeline configuration compared to custom ETL solutions.

AWS Glue

Pros	Cons
No infrastructure management; fully managed service.	It requires AWS-specific knowledge and configuration to set it up.
Pay-as-you-go pricing is attractive for smaller or infrequent ETL jobs.	Costs can rise significantly with large data sets and complex ETL processes.
Works seamlessly with other AWS services like S3, Redshift, and Lambda.	Requires familiarity with the AWS ecosystem and Glue’s unique architecture (e.g., DPU).
Integrated data catalog to manage metadata and streamline ETL processes.	Focuses primarily on AWS services, with fewer third-party data source connectors.

Criteria Comparison: Fivetran vs AWS Glue

Criteria
Data Connectors	500+ pre-built connectors	Native AWS integrations, limited non-AWS	150+ connectors
Pricing	Higher, Consumption-based pricing with a 14-day free trial.	Pay-as-you-go pricing is $0.44/DPU-hour.	Mid-range, transparent pricing, Event-based pricing with a 14-day free trial option.
Ease of Use	No-code platform, intuitive interface	Requires AWS expertise	No-code, intuitive drag-and-drop interface
Data Transformation	Post-load with dbt	Pre and Post Load Transformations	In-built transformations with schema mapping
Deployment Options	SaaS, self-hosted	AWS Cloud-native	SaaS, flexible integrations
Scalability	Auto-scaling but limited flexibility	Highly scalable with AWS infrastructure	Auto-scaling with minimal configuration
Real-Time Data Sync	Near real-time with connectors	Real-time ETL via batch jobs	Real-time syncing across all integrations
Security Certifications	SOC 1 & 2, GDPR, HIPAA, SLA	SOC, GDPR, ISO 27001	SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA compliant
API Access	REST API	Limited API customization	Full API access, Webhooks
Support	24/7 support for paid users. The Slack support is for every tier, and support increases with higher tiers.	AWS Support with additional cost	24/7 live chat and ticket support for all users
Vendor Lock-In	Yes	Yes	No vendor lock-in, easy to switch

Detailed Comparison:

Connectors:

Fivetran

1. Variety of Sources: Includes database connectors like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SaaS-based sources like Google Analytics, Shopify, Salesforce, Hubspot.
2. Prebuilt Integrations: It features over 500+ pre-built connectors, reducing the need to develop customized logic and also facilitating the setup process.
3. Automated Updates: Connectors are updated automatically, ensuring your integrations are always up-to-date to meet source changes.

AWS Glue

1. AWS-Focused Connectors: Provide a range of AWS-based service connectors such as S3, Redshift, RDS, etc.
2. Custom Connectors: Provides the ability to support all types of custom connectors for different needs on the AWS platform.
3. Limited Third-Party Integration: Less extensive support for non-AWS data sources compared to other tools.

Hevo

1. Multisource Support: Provides connectors from a wide variety of sources, from cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, and on-premise databases to streaming data sources.
2. Real-Time Data Integration: In addition, it allows real-time data integration with more sources to facilitate real-time data availability.
3. Ease of Setup: It offers ease of setup with out-of-the-box connectivity with low configuration.

Support:

Fivetran

1. Standard support, such as Slack, is available with premium support options for higher price tiers.
2. Email and Chat Support: Basic support entails the possibility of emails and chats for the resolution of issues.
3. Documentation and Community: Full documentation and community forums will be provided where necessary.

AWS Glue

1. AWS Support Tiering: It has a standard AWS tiering on support, namely Basic, Developer, Business, Enterprise.
2. Enterprise Support: More extensive enterprise customers can enjoy additional premium support.
3. AWS Resource Integration: It’s deeply integrated with AWS resources and tools to support frictionless troubleshooting.

Hevo

1. 24/7 Customer Support: It offers round-the-clock customer support and thus allows for real-time online chat and email support.
2. Comprehensive Documentation: Includes wide documentation that enables users to understand setup and troubleshooting better.
3. Premium Onboarding Support: It helps a new user get up and running quickly, effectively with premium onboarding support.

Deployment Options:

Fivetran

1. SaaS and Self-Hosted: Available both as a SaaS solution and as a self-hosted option for greater flexibility.
2. Cloud Integration: Supports deployment across multiple cloud environments.
3. Adaptable to Needs: Provides options to meet different deployment preferences and requirements.

AWS Glue

1. Cloud-Native: Only available as a cloud-native solution within the AWS ecosystem.
2. AWS Integration: Fully integrated with AWS services, ideal for users already within the AWS ecosystem.
3. Limited Hybrid Support: Less suitable for hybrid cloud or on-premise environments compared to other solutions.

Hevo

1. Fully Managed SaaS: Deployed as a SaaS solution, fully managed by Hevo.
2. Cross-Cloud Deployment: Available across major cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure.
3. Real-Time Deployment: Designed for real-time data processing and deployment, ensuring up-to-date data flow.

Data Handling & Transformation:

Fivetran

1. Post-Load Transformations: Focuses on post-load transformations using dbt, with limited pre-load capabilities.
2. Simpler Pipelines: Suitable for simpler data pipelines with less complex transformation needs.
3. Integration with dbt: Leverages dbt for transforming data after loading, streamlining post-load processes.

AWS Glue

1. Pre- and Post-Load Transformations: Offers both pre-load and post-load transformations, providing flexibility for complex ETL tasks.
2. Advanced Data Preparation: Suitable for advanced data preparation and transformation requirements.
3. Custom ETL Jobs: Allows for custom ETL job creation with extensive transformation capabilities.

Hevo

1. Pre- and Post-Load Transformations: Provides both pre- and post-load transformations with a no-code interface.
2. Real-Time Automation: Real-time transformations are automated, with customizable options available.
3. User-Friendly Interface: Features a no-code interface for easy setup and management of data transformations.

Pricing:

Fivetran

1. Tiered Pricing: Offers multiple pricing tiers based on data volume, accommodating different business sizes.
2. Free Plan Available: Includes a free plan for small businesses to explore the service.
3. Consumption-Based Model: Pricing based on data consumption, making it scalable for larger organizations.

Curious about pricing? Check out our blog Breaking Down Fivetran Pricing Model for an in-depth look at costs and how they compare with other ETL tools like AWS Glue.

AWS Glue

1. Pay-As-You-Go: Charges based on Data Processing Units (DPU) for ETL jobs, ideal for flexible or short-term use.
2. Cost Control: The pay-as-you-go model allows for cost control based on actual usage.
3. AWS Pricing Integration: Integrated with AWS’s pricing structure, potentially benefiting users with existing AWS usage.

Hevo

1. Transparent Pricing: Offers transparent, consumption-based pricing with clear cost structures.
2. Flexible Plans: Includes a flexible plan to accommodate varying needs and scales.
3. Free Trial: Provides a 14-day free trial to explore and evaluate its services before committing.

Discover the key differences, features, and use cases of Fivetran and ADF to help you choose the ETL tool for your needs.

Conclusion

In this fast-moving ELT landscape, Hevo has emerged as the leader by offering a user-friendly, highly scalable, and flexible platform with real-time data syncing and strong data transformation capabilities. While Fivetran and AWS Glue are close rivals to Hevo, its no-code architecture, scalability, real-time support, and exceptional customer support make it a go-to choice for businesses willing to automate their data operations.

FAQ on Fivetran vs AWS Glue