Ensuring data availability and reliability in the current data-and-technology-driven world is incredibly crucial. It has become necessary that data is copied on many systems, thereby relaxing access and protecting against any data loss. This is usually done through data replication tools. While exploring various database replication software, I found dozens of such tools that would serve different organizational needs.
In this blog, I will share my verdict on some of the brilliant tools for database replication, touching on their highlights and what sets them apart.
What is Database Replication?
Database replication means storing data at multiple locations so users can access ongoing versions from anywhere. It involves copying data from one server to another for uniform availability and sharing.
Database synchronization or replication tools are essential in maintaining consistency across distributed databases, ensuring data integrity, and facilitating error-free data updates between different environments. SQL Server replication tools provide their replication features for replicating data across databases. MySQL offers built-in features and third-party tools for database replication. Some popular replication tools include Hevo Data, Fivetran, AWS DMS, etc.
Importance of Data Replication in Modern Business
Data Replication plays a vital role in Modern Business for the following reasons:
- Data Availability: Replicating data across distributed environments ensures continuous access to critical information and responsiveness in decision-making processes.
- Improved User Experience: Provides faster access to data irrespective of the user’s geographical location.
- Improved Performance: Distributing data processing loads enhances system performance, which helps manage peak usage periods.
- Reduces Overall Risk: Data replication protects against hardware failures.
- Data Integrity: Helps maintain data consistency and accuracy across multiple locations.
Factors To Consider Before Choosing a Data Replication Tool
Selecting the right replication tool isn’t just about features—it’s about aligning with your business needs, scalability, and security. Here’s a quick 360-degree framework to help you decide:
- Data Volume & Performance: We use lightweight tools for small workloads, but large datasets require some form of parallel processing in order to improve processing speeds.
- Cloud vs. On-Prem: Ensure easy integration with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or hybrid deployment models.
- Real-Time vs. Batch: If you have low-latency needs, choose real-time streaming replication; otherwise, for periodic updates, use batch processing.
- Scalability: Can the tool handle data growth without lag? Is auto-scaling capabilities provided?
- Customization & Automation: Does it support schema changes and automatic transformation with minimum manual effort?
- Pricing: A pay-as-you-go model for flexibility, enterprise fixed pricing, or open-source for cost-effectiveness.
- Security & Compliance: Transmit data, end-to-end encryption, GDPR, HIPAA compliance, and RBAC are the must-have features.
- Vendor Lock-in Risk: Will it be easy to switch vendors? Does it store data in portable formats?
By evaluating these factors, you’ll choose a replication tool that’s future-proof, secure, and cost-effective.
Top Database Replication Software
1. Hevo Data
Hevo is a real-time ELT no-code data pipeline platform that cost-effectively automates flexible data pipelines to your needs. With integration with 150+ data sources (60+ free sources), we help you not only export data from sources & load data to the destinations but also transform & enrich your data, & make it analysis-ready.
Its wholly automated pipeline offers data to be delivered in real-time without any loss from source to destination. Its fault-tolerant and scalable architecture ensures that the data is handled securely and consistently with zero data loss and supports different forms of data.
What makes Hevo Amazing
- Zero Data Loss – Hevo’s unique fault-tolerant architecture ensures the completeness of data and reliably moves it without data loss.
- Low time to Implementation – Once the simple setup procedure is complete, Hevo can migrate data in no time.
- Automatic Schema Detection, Mapping, and Evolution: Hevo automatically analyzes the schema of the data it receives for replication and seamlessly maps it onto the BigQuery table structure.
- Fully Managed – The Hevo platform is fully managed and works out of the box. This will
- Scalability – Hevo is built to handle data of any scale. With Hevo, your business can grow without any data hiccups.
- Exceptional Support – Technical support for Hevo is provided on a 24/5 basis over both email and Slack.
Pricing
2. AWS DMS
If you’re deeply invested in the AWS ecosystem, AWS DMS is a natural choice. It provides seamless database replication across Amazon RDS, Aurora, Redshift, and other AWS services, making it ideal for cloud-first businesses.
Features
- AWS DMS migrates databases while keeping the source active, ensuring application availability.
- Compatible with Amazon Aurora, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, SQL Server, and SAP ASE.
- Ensures real-time data consistency between source and target databases.
- Multi-AZ support enhances durability and fault tolerance.
- AWS DMS supports the CDC for cost and resource optimization.
Pricing
As part of the AWS free tier, you can get started with AWS DMS for free. You can also create your custom pricing and calculate your total spend through their calculator.
3. Informatica
Informatica excels in large-scale enterprise data management, providing a highly scalable and secure data replication solution. With its AI-driven automation, it simplifies complex workflows, enabling organizations to seamlessly manage, clean, and synchronize data across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Features
- Comprehensive data integration and management platform.
- Real-time data integration with support for AI-driven insights.
- Scalable for large enterprises and complex workflows.
- Advanced data governance, security, and quality features.
- Includes data cataloging for effective metadata management.
Pricing
Pricing depends on the product suite and features selected, with enterprise-level plans typically carrying a higher cost. Free trials and demos are available.
4. Qlik Replicate
Qlik Replicate specializes in large-scale data replication with minimal latency, making it perfect for enterprises dealing with massive datasets.
Features
- Qlik Replicate is a combination of data replication and real-time data integration software offered by Qlik. It enables real-time data replication between various databases and data platforms.
- It supports replication between different database systems, providing flexibility for data integration.
- It also integrates with other Qlik products, facilitating end-to-end data integration and analytics workflows.
Pricing
The pricing depends on the specific feature you choose, but you can start by taking a free trial.
5. Fivetran
Fivetran is sleek, reliable, and highly intuitive. Its biggest strength lies in its vast array of pre-built connectors, making it easy to integrate with virtually any data source.
Features
- Fivetran is suitable for replicating all application databases and files with high-performance data warehouses.
- With an easy five-minute setup, standardized cloud pipelines are fully managed without needing maintenance.
- An intuitive, low-code interface that simplifies the creation of data workflows.
- It offers a wide range of pre-built connectors to various data sources.
- Optimized for performance and scalability within cloud environments.
Pricing
Fivetran pricing varies: $1.00 per credit for the Starter plan, $1.50 per credit for the Standard plan, and $2.00 per credit for the Enterprise plan.
6. Carbonite
Carbonite provides fully managed data protection, making it ideal for enterprises looking for robust disaster recovery solutions.
Features
- Carbonite Availability, one of the best database replication tools, provides a two-in-one feature for data replication and a disaster recovery option.
- It is one of the few tools that can replicate both physical and virtual environments. Some issues that might exist relate to error handling and restarting server services.
- Prevents downtime and data loss with OpenText Availability. It continuously replicates physical, virtual, and cloud systems.
Pricing
The pricing for Carbonite Availability starts at $1000 per server and adds up depending on the platform used.
7. Nakivo Backup and Replication
Nakivo specializes in VMware backup and replication, making it a top choice for hybrid cloud environments. Its fast and incremental backups help reduce storage costs while ensuring minimal downtime.
Features
- Nakivo Backup and Replication is the best data protection solution designed to provide backup, replication, and recovery services for virtualized environments.
- It has a fabulous backup selection that includes virtual machines, cloud workloads, Microsoft 365, and physical machines.
- It also offers an interesting NAS backup solution that enables users to safeguard data from file shares on NAS, Windows, and Linux systems.
Pricing
The Nakivo Backup and Replication pricing varies as $1.95 per workload/month at the Starter plan and $2.60 per workload/month at the Enterprise plan.
8. Talend Data Fabric
Talend Data Fabric is more than just a database replication tool – it’s a comprehensive data management platform. If your focus is on data quality, governance, and security, Talend is a strong contender.
Features
- Offers ETL, data quality, and master data management tools.
- Supports cloud, on-premises, and hybrid deployments.
- Includes built-in data quality checks to improve accuracy.
- Provides both open-source and enterprise versions.
- Extensive library of pre-built connectors for various systems.
Pricing
Talend provides an open-source version for free, while enterprise plans with advanced features are priced based on the number of users and support levels.
9. Airbyte
If you prefer flexibility and customization, Airbyte is your go-to tool. Unlike proprietary solutions, Airbyte is open-source, meaning you have full control over data pipelines. It supports over 300+ connectors and allows custom connector creation, making it ideal for businesses with unique integration needs.
Features
- Open-source ELT platform supporting over 300 connectors.
- Community-driven with customizable connectors for tailored solutions.
- Scalable to handle data from a wide variety of sources and destinations.
- Extensible platform, allowing developers to build new connectors.
- Requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance.
Pricing
Airbyte offers a free, open-source version. For managed services and additional enterprise features, pricing varies based on your data volume and support needs.
10. Matillion
Matillion is an ELT-first data replication tool for modern cloud environments like Snowflake and BigQuery. Unlike traditional ETL tools, it allows you to transform data within your cloud warehouse, improving efficiency and reducing data movement costs.
Features
- Cloud-native ETL tool optimized for Snowflake, Redshift, and BigQuery.
- Visual, drag-and-drop interface for building workflows.
- Supports job orchestration and automation for streamlined processes.
- Pre-built connectors for cloud-native platforms and data sources.
- Focused on in-cloud data transformation at scale.
Pricing
Matillion follows a pay-as-you-go pricing model, often based on consumption (e.g., hours of usage). It also offers free trials for new users.
Conclusion
Choosing the right database replication software depends on your specific needs. Thus, you can check out these database replication tools per your requirements. If you’re dealing with larger chunks of data, Hevo, Fivetran, or Airbyte are good options. For stable data recovery, go for Carbonite.
Sign Up for a 14-day free trial and experience the feature-rich Hevo suite firsthand.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that will help you transfer data and transform it into analysis-ready form, then Hevo Data is the right choice for you! It will take care of all your analytics needs completely automatedly, allowing you to focus on key business activities.
FAQs
What is a data replication tool?
A data replication tool copies data from one database to another, ensuring data consistency across systems. Examples include HVR, GoldenGate, and Qlik Replicate.
What are the two basic styles of data replication?
1. Synchronous Replication: In synchronous replication, data is simultaneously written to the primary and secondary (replica) databases.
2. Asynchronous Replication: Data is first written to the primary database and then propagated to the secondary database.
What is the Alternative to Database Replication?
An alternative to database replication is Database Sharding. Sharding involves partitioning the data across multiple databases, or shards, based on a specific criterion (e.g., user ID, geographic location). Each shard contains a subset of the data, and they make up the complete dataset.
How to replicate a database in MySQL?
1. Configure the master server.
2. Configure the slave server.
3. Verify the replication.
What are Common Database Replication Methods?
1. Snapshot Replication
2. Transactional Replication
3. Log-based replication
4. Merge Replication5.
Bi-directional Replication
Manik is a passionate data enthusiast with extensive experience in data engineering and infrastructure. He excels in writing highly technical content, drawing from his background in data science and big data. Manik's problem-solving skills and analytical thinking drive him to create impactful content for data professionals, helping them navigate their day-to-day challenges. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computers and Communication, with a minor in Big Data, from Manipal Institute of Technology.