Data silos, messy formats, poor data quality, and information stuck in different systems can make it hard for your organization to get a clear view of what’s really going on. The right data integration tools help you centralize, clean, and streamline your data. That’s why choosing the best ETL tool – whether it’s Fivetran, Matillion, or even comparing options like Hevo vs Matillion – is more important than ever for your data team.
Fivetran and Matillion are both top choices, where Fivetran is great for automated, hands-off data integration, while Matillion excels at flexible data transformations and custom workflows. In this article, I’ll break down their features, strengths, and real-world use cases to help you pick the right tool for your organization’s data integration needs.
Table of Contents
What is Fivetran
G2 Rating: 4.2(377)
Gartner Rating: 4.5(268)
Fivetran is a cloud-based data integration tool that automatically moves your data from different sources into one central place, like a data warehouse, without you needing to write any code. You can use Fivetran to make your data pipelines simple and automatic, so your business always has up-to-date and accurate data ready for analysis.
Fivetran connects to apps, databases, and cloud services, then copies and updates your data automatically in your data warehouse, so you don’t have to do it manually. This helps companies of all sizes save time and avoid mistakes by making data integration smooth and easy.
You should choose Fivetran when you want something easy to set up, that offers many ready-made connectors, and keeps your data fresh in near real-time. Fivetran’s strong focus on automation makes it unique, as it handles schema changes, incremental updates, and scaling for you, so you spend less time on data chores and more time getting valuable insights from your data.
Key Features of Fivetran
- Connects to 700+ data sources with ready-to-use connectors:
You’ll get fast access to data from almost any app or database, saving you time and effort on building and maintaining connectors. - Supports incremental updates and efficient data movement:
You’ll enjoy faster syncing and lower costs, since only new or changed data is moved, making your systems efficient and up-to-date. - Simple, user-friendly interface and API:
You’ll find it easy to set up and manage data pipelines, even without coding skills, so your team can work faster and with less hassle.
Looking for different options? Check out alternatives to Fivetran here.
Hevo’s no-code platform enables seamless integration of your data, empowering your team with real-time insights and streamlined analytics.
- Real-Time Data Integration: Hevo supports real-time data streaming, ensuring your data is always up-to-date for timely decision-making.
- No-Code Setup: With Hevo’s intuitive interface, set up data pipelines without writing a single line of code, making data integration accessible to all team members.
- Centralized Analytics: Combine data from multiple sources into a single destination, providing a 360° view of your business operations.
- Scalable Architecture: Hevo’s platform is designed to handle large volumes of data effortlessly, scaling with your business needs
Explore Hevo’s features and discover why it is rated 4.3 on G2 and 4.7 on Software Advice for its seamless data integration
[hevo … text=”Get Started with Hevo for Free” link=”https://hevodata.com/signup/?step=email”][/hevoButton]
Overview of Matillion
G2 Rating: 4.4(77)
Gartner Rating: 4.2(126)
Matillion is a cloud-native data integration platform built mainly for ELT (Extract, Load, Transform), that is, it brings your data together from many sources, transforms it, and loads it into your cloud data warehouse. Matillion is best for businesses that want to quickly create and automate complex data pipelines using an easy drag-and-drop or code interface, making it a powerful data pipeline tool for fast data analytics.
Matillion connects to a wide range of data sources, lets you clean and transform your data, and loads it into cloud platforms like Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, and Azure Synapse. This helps data engineers, analysts, and business teams make data integration faster, easier, and more reliably, without any heavy IT work.
You should choose Matillion when both technical and non-technical users want to easily build and manage data pipelines, thanks to its mix of low-code tools, AI features, and coding options. Matillion stands out for its strong cloud focus, powerful data transformation, and easy scaling as your data grows, all while staying simple and cost-effective.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Powerful data transformation and orchestration:
You’ll be able to clean, combine, and shape your data just how you need it, using a simple drag-and-drop interface or custom SQL and Python, making complex tasks easy. - Easy-to-use visual workflow builder:
You’ll save time and reduce errors by building, scheduling, and managing your data pipelines visually, so you always know what’s happening with your data. - Supports both ETL and ELT approaches: You’ll have the flexibility to choose how you want to move and transform your data, whether you prefer processing it before or after loading it into your data warehouse.
Fivetran vs. Matillion vs. Hevo: Detailed Comparison Table
| Feature | Fivetran | Matillion | Hevo Data |
| Core Focus | Automated ELT with pre-built connectors | ETL/ELT platform with transformation focus | No-code data pipeline platform |
| Setup Complexity | Low (connector-based) | Medium-High (requires technical expertise) | Low (intuitive UI) |
| Pricing Model | Consumption-based (monthly active rows) | Instance-based + licensing fees | Volume-based with transparent pricing |
| Free Plan | 14-day trial | 14-day trial | 14-day trial |
| Connector Count | 700+ | 150+ | 150+ |
| Real-time Data Support | Limited capabilities | Limited capabilities | Full real-time streaming support |
| On-premises Connectors | Limited (requires Fivetran HVA) | Yes, with restrictions | Native support (Hevo Pipeline) |
| Custom Connector Development | Limited customization | Via Python or SQL | Custom API connectors + webhook support |
| Transformation Capabilities | Basic (SQL-based) | Advanced (SQL and Python) | Advanced (SQL and Python) |
| Reverse ETL | Limited reverse ETL capabilities | Not natively supported | Not natively supported |
| Data Quality & Validation | Basic data validation | Custom validation possible | Comprehensive validation framework |
| Error Handling | Automatic retries | Manual intervention is often required | Intelligent auto-retry with notifications |
| Deployment Options | Cloud only | Cloud and on-premises | Cloud, hybrid, and on-premises |
| Scalability | Good for structured data | Can handle moderate volumes | Auto-scaling for any data volume |
| Governance & Security | SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001 | SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001 | SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, CCPA |
| Customer Support | Email and documentation | Email and phone support | 24/7 live support with a dedicated manager |
| Learning Curve | Low | Steep | Low |
For more tabular comparisons like this, you can check out blogs on Fivetran vs Segment vs Hevo and Fivetran vs Alooma vs Hevo.
Fivetran vs Matillion: In-depth Feature & Use Case Comparison
1. Connector Coverage & Integrations
Fivetran offers over 700 pre-built connectors for databases, applications, files, and events, all maintained and updated automatically by their team. Their connectors cover virtually all major business applications, analytics tools, and databases with standardized implementations that ensure consistent, reliable data delivery.
Matillion provides about 150+ connectors focused primarily on business-critical systems and databases, with particular strength in enterprise applications. Their connector approach is more customizable but requires more configuration and maintenance from your team.
My vote goes to Fivetran. G2 Reviews such as “I also love the variety of connectors available, most of the tools I need are supported, and it’s clear that Fivetran is continuously expanding its offerings.” show how Fivetran leads in breadth and depth of ready-to-use integrations with its triple the connector count and fully-maintained implementations.
| “Fivetran’s ease of use is definitely its standout feature. The platform is simple to navigate and doesn’t require much manual intervention, which is great for streamlining data workflows. I also love the variety of connectors available—most of the tools I need are supported, and it’s clear that Fivetran is continuously expanding its offerings. The managed aspect of the service means I don’t have to worry about maintenance, and that’s a huge plus for saving time and resources.” -G2 Review |
| “Fivetran’s support has been very promising. We feel very easy reaching support team and getting timely response for the issue. Also , Fivetran is bundle of many connector types, which had solved and saved many of our developement and effort.” –G2 review |
2. Transformation Capabilities
Fivetran offers basic SQL-based transformations through dbt Core integration and Fivetran Transformations. While functional for simple needs, their transformation capabilities are intentionally streamlined, focusing instead on reliable data extraction and loading.Matillion makes transformations its core strength with a visual, drag-and-drop interface for building complex transformation workflows. It offers extensive transformation components, reusable transformation patterns, and native pushdown optimization for specific data warehouses.
My vote goes to Matillion. G2 Reviews such as “Matillion makes it easy to drag and drop components and generate SQL statements to transform your data. There are lots of built-in connectors, so it is not too difficult to add new sources to your data warehouse.” shows how Matillion significantly outperforms Fivetran for complex data reshaping needs with its purpose-built transformations with visual tools and advanced capabilities.
| “Matillion makes it easy to drag and drop component and generate SQL statements to transform your data. There are lots of built in connectors so it is not too difficult to add new sources to your data warehouse. The new performance monitor is great for checking on jobs across projects and understand how your server is performing. Consistent updates keep the tool ever improving” –G2 Review |
Hevo’s competitive pricing makes it an attractive alternative to Fivetran and Matillion. We ensure you get robust data integration features without breaking the bank.
Don’t just take our word for it – see why Hevo is rated 4.3/5 on G2.
Why Choose Hevo?
- Competitive Pricing: Hevo offers a comprehensive feature set at a lower cost compared to Fivetran and Matillion, maximizing your investment.
- 24/7 Live Chat Support: Benefit from round-the-clock live chat support, ensuring you receive prompt assistance whenever needed, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity.
- Hevo Smart Assist is the prompt, preemptive, and smart assistance built into the product that provides you complete visibility and control over your data while helping you to minimize costs.
Trusted by 2000+ Customers
See why industry leaders, including ThoughtSpot, prefer Hevo for its value and efficiency in data management.
3. Ease of Use & Interface
Fivetran emphasizes simplicity with a clean, straightforward interface focused on quick configuration and monitoring. Most connectors can be set up in minutes with minimal technical knowledge required, making it accessible to data analysts and business users.
Matillion features a more complex interface with its visual transformation builder and job orchestrator. While powerful, it has a steeper learning curve and typically requires users with some technical background to maximize its potential.My vote goes to Fivetran. G2 Reviews such as “Fivetran’s ease of use is definitely its standout feature. The platform is simple to navigate and doesn’t require much manual intervention.” show how Fivetran’s streamlined approach makes it significantly more user-friendly, especially for teams without specialized data engineering skills.
| “Fivetran’s ease of use is definitely its standout feature. The platform is simple to navigate and doesn’t require much manual intervention, which is great for streamlining data workflows. I also love the variety of connectors available—most of the tools I need are supported, and it’s clear that Fivetran is continuously expanding its offerings. The managed aspect of the service means I don’t have to worry about maintenance, and that’s a huge plus for saving time and resources.” –G2 review |
4. Automation & Maintenance
Fivetran delivers true zero-maintenance pipelines by automatically handling schema changes, API updates, and pipeline monitoring. When source systems change, Fivetran adapts without requiring user intervention, allowing teams to “set and forget” their data pipelines.
Matillion requires more hands-on maintenance, with users needing to update jobs when schemas change or when sources are modified. While it offers scheduling and alerts, it demands more active pipeline management from your team. My vote goes to Fivetran. G2 Reviews such as “The low-code interface and automated processes make it easy for new business users in the business to set up and manage data pipelines without extensive technical knowledge.” shows how Fivetran’s fully-automated approach to maintenance dramatically reduces engineering overhead and makes Fivetran the clear choice for teams wanting to minimize pipeline management time.
| “The low-code interface and automated processes make it easy for new business users in the business to set up and manage data pipelines without extensive technical knowledge. It automates the whole data extraction, cleaning, and transformation process which saves time and reduces manual effort. The customisable sync schedules lets us pull in data as per our requirements. With over hundereds of ready to use connectors, we’ve been able to support a wide range of our client’s data sources with ease.” –G2 Review |
5. Customization & Flexibility
Fivetran prioritizes standardization over customization, offering limited options to modify connector behavior or create custom extraction logic. This approach ensures reliability but can be restrictive when dealing with unique data sources or non-standard requirements.
Matillion provides extensive customization through Python scripts, SQL queries, and API calls that can be incorporated into transformation jobs. Its component-based approach allows for building highly specialized workflows tailored to specific business needs.
| “The low-code interface and automated processes make it easy for new business users in the business to set up and manage data pipelines without extensive technical knowledge. It automates the whole data extraction, cleaning, and transformation process which saves time and reduces manual effort. The customisable sync schedules lets us pull in data as per our requirements. With over hundereds of ready to use connectors, we’ve been able to support a wide range of our client’s data sources with ease.” –G2 Review |
6. Pricing & Cost Structure
Fivetran pricing is consumption-based, meaning it’s tied to the number of monthly active rows processed, offering costs that scale predictably with your usage. While simple to understand, costs can increase significantly for high-volume data sources, though idle connectors incur minimal charges.
Matillion uses a more traditional licensing model based on instance size and features, with separate costs for different modules and capabilities. This can be more economical for very high data volumes but requires more careful planning and monitoring.
It’s a Tie: Fivetran is usually more cost-effective for small to medium data volumes with transparent, consumption-based pricing praised by users, while Matillion’s credit-based licensing works well for large, steady workloads. However, many users find both tools expensive as data scales, so pricing depends on your specific data size and usage patterns.
| “Our team saved a lot of time using Fivetran. We were able accelerate adoption because of its user-friendly interface and step by step guidelines to set up connectors. We were able to connect 30+ data sources and not have to worry about schema drifts and other data engineering tasks. Also, we used Fivetran’s sdk to build custom connectors for complex integration. Customer support helped us a lot when we encountered issues. They would reply within 12 hours and offer detail feedback which helped us resolve issues quickly.” –G2 Review |
| “What I like best about Matillion is its seamless integration with major cloud platforms like AWS, GCP and Azure. This is very user friendly platform for ETL. It’s visual interface makes complex workflows look easier. It offers great scalability, making it suitable for big and small scale users. It helps to reduce the complexity of ETL Process with its no code working ability.” –G2 Review |
When to Choose Fivetran?
Fivetran delivers ready-made, zero-maintenance data pipelines for standard data sources. Choose Fivetran when you need to quickly connect common SaaS applications and databases without dedicated technical resources. It’s the ideal solution if you value reliability and simplicity over customization, want to minimize engineering overhead, and prefer focusing on data analysis rather than pipeline maintenance.
As a data engineer, you waste hours fixing pipelines and battling unreliable connectors. Fivetran auto-adapts to API changes and delivers fully maintained, reliable connectors.
When to Choose Matillion?
Matillion specializes in visual data transformation within cloud data warehouses. Choose Matillion when your data requires significant reshaping before analysis. It’s the right solution when you have a technical team that needs to implement complex business logic, create sophisticated transformation workflows, or optimize warehouse-specific performance while preferring visual tools over writing code.
As a data engineer, you struggle with complex transformations and workflow orchestration. Matillion’s visual interface simplifies transformation design and excels at building dependable, multi-step workflows.
Why Choose Hevo Data over Fivetran or Matillion?
When it comes to comparing Hevo vs Fivetran vs Matillion, Hevo Data is a step forward. How? Hevo combines no-code simplicity with enterprise-grade capabilities and real-time processing. Choose Hevo when you need both power and simplicity in your data pipelines. It’s the optimal solution for your organizations that require real-time data streams, handling diverse or frequently changing data sources, operating in mixed technical environments, or needing to quickly adapt pipelines to evolving business requirements.
As a data engineer, you face real-time demands, schema shifts, and custom source support-Hevo streams data instantly, auto-adapts schemas, and handles any custom connector.
Read more Comparisons-
Conclusion
Fivetran shines with easy automation and simple setup; perfect for quick, hands-off data integration. Matillion works best when you need strong data transformations and flexible workflows for more complex projects. Both bring strong data integration but many users say they get expensive fast as their data grows, which can make budgeting hard.
That’s where Hevo shines: it offers clear, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, even as you scale up. With its easy-to-use interface and many connectors, Hevo makes data integration simple and affordable.
Why not try it yourself? Sign up for a 14-day free trial and see how Hevo can help you get the most from your data.
FAQ Fivetran vs Matillion
1. What is the difference between Matillion and Fivetran?
Matillion lets you do more complex data changes and gives you control, while Fivetran makes it super easy to move data from different sources with less setup and no need to manage servers.
2. Who competes with Fivetran?
Fivetran’s main competitors are Hevo Data, Matillion, Airbyte, Stitch, Integrate.io, Rivery, and Informatica Power Center.
3. Is Matillion an ETL or ELT tool?
Matillion is mainly an ELT tool, which means it loads data first and then changes it inside your cloud data warehouse.
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