About the Services
Apache Airflow
Apache Airflow is a free, open-source platform for developing batch-oriented workflows. It launched in 2014 and has big-name companies like Airbnb, Lyft, and Etsy in its portfolio. It has a growing community of over 2,000 contributors and many users worldwide.
Apache Airflow uses a workflow management system. This system handles automating and monitoring data integration processes. It can handle simple data transfers and complex machine-learning workflows. The user interface is easy to use, so you can focus on your work instead of minding a confusing interface.
But having that simple interface has a caveat. Open-source platforms need technical expertise, and Airflow is no different. You can start with several options to install. If you don’t want to hire experts to do this for you, you need to know about Python and some required libraries and even about Docker Containers for a seamless cloud deployment.
Apache Airflow also doesn’t have a record of privacy and security certifications, but it has security features like role-based access control and encryption. So, your data is safe from prying eyes. It also provides logging and auditing capabilities. So, this will help identify and investigate any security or privacy incidents. Companies with stringent security and privacy requirements trust Apache Airflow. But again, either you need some more technical expertise, or pay for someone who knows how to secure Airflow in your environment.
Apache Nifi
Apache Nifi is an open-source, easy-to-use system to process and distribute data. Brand new UI version 1 was released in 2016. More than 2400 companies are using Apache Nifi, according to Enlyft.
Apache Nifi works on-premise or with any cloud provider. You can download, install, and configure Apache Nifi on Linux, Mac, and Windows machines. Keep in mind that Nifi may require technical skills. You can’t install it and build ETL pipelines in minutes. But once you complete your configuration, you can prepare data pipelines in a browser.
There are no limits on the number of data sources and destinations in a pipeline. You are only limited by the processing capacity of your machine.
Data security and privacy are your responsibility. But if you deploy the system in AWS or Azure, you can leverage their security and privacy certifications.
Skyvia
Skyvia is a no-code cloud data integration platform for many data integration scenarios. It’s an all-rounder tool for ETL, ELT, Reverse ETL, data migration, one-way and bi-directional data sync, workflow automation, and more. Devart launched this fantastic product in 2014 for cloud data integration and backup.
Skyvia offers more than 180 ready-made data connectors. These are available for thousands of free users, including 2000+ paid customers. Big names like Hyundai and General Electric trust Skyvia to process their data. Its easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface suits both IT professionals and business users. And don’t take our word for it. Listen to G2 reviewers about how easy it is to start and work with it. Data integration experts who used other tools can adapt with little to no help from support.
Skyvia has flexible pricing plans perfect for small startups and large enterprises. So, it makes it applicable to businesses of all sizes. Also, Skyvia’s freemium model allows users to start using it now and then decide if they need to upgrade later.
The safety of your data is also our prime concern. So, we hosted it in Microsoft Azure cloud, providing the best data security and privacy. It complies with a wide set of security standards, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, and many others.
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | ETL, ELT, and reverse ETL | ETL, ELT | Data ingestion, ELT, ETL, reverse ETL, data sync, workflow automation. |
| Skill level | Python coding skills. | No-code solution. | No-code wizard. Top-rated as one of the easiest ETL tools by G2. |
| Sources | 80+ | Unspecified | 180+ |
| Destinations | Supported data sources. | Unspecified | Supported data sources, including databases, data warehouses, cloud apps and flat files. |
| Database replication | Full or incremental load. | Full and incremental load. | Full table and incremental via change data capture. |
| Ability for customers to add new data sources | Yes, by coding. | Contributing to community/coding. | Ye s, by request or using REST API connector. |
| G2 customer satisfaction | 4.3 out of 5 71 reviews | 4.2 out of 5 23 reviews | 4.8 out of 5 217 Reviews |
| Peer Insights satisfaction | - | None | 4.8 103 Ratings |
| Developer tools | Python packages/CLI. Web UI. | Web interface, REST API. CLI, integration to Kafka, and more. | REST connector for data sources that have REST API. |
| Advanced ETL capabilities | Integration with other integration tools like Kafka, dbt, Airbyte, and more. | REST API and open architecture. | Visual ETL data pipeline designer with data orchestration capabilities. |
| Compliance and security certifications | No official list of certifications. | No provided security and privacy certifications. | HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS. ISO 27001 and SOC 2 (by Azure). |
| Purchase process | Download and install. | Download, install, and configure. | Self-service or sales. |
| Vendor lock-in | None | None | Monthly or annual contracts. |
| Pricing | Cloud-hosted with volume-based pricing. Self-managed with a customized package. With a free tier and 14-day trial. | Free | Volume-based and feature-based pricing. Freemium model allows to start with a free plan. |
Connectors
Apache Airflow
Apache Airflow provides 80+ built-in data connectors and provider packages. These connectors will work with various types of data sources. And this includes databases, cloud platforms, and messaging systems. It can also deal with popular APIs, data warehouses, and lakes. Some of the most popular connectors include MySQL and PostgreSQL.
But, if you need one that is not available, you can create your own using Airflow’s API. Additionally, the Airflow community never stops developing and sharing new connectors. So, if your data source is so unique and recent, look for a connector in the community first. But if nobody made one for it yet, prepare to roll up your sleeves and code.
Apache Nifi
Apache Nifi can connect to various data sources, including SQL and NoSQL databases, flat files, and others. It has a number of components for data extraction and loading called processors which you can drag in the Nifi canvas and configure.
Every Nifi processor for data access is available to you. You can check the Apache Nifi documentation for more details.
You can contribute new data sources and destinations to the сommunity. So, you need to know Java and follow the rules of the community in contributing code.
Skyvia
Skyvia offers more than 180 connectors, and more to come very soon. It supports connectors for CRMs, accounting, email marketing, e-commerce, human resources, marketing automation, payment processing, product management, all major databases and DWH, flat files, and more. It’s also not a problem whether your data is on-premise or in the cloud.
You can access your on-premise data with peace of mind using the Skyvia Agent. It allows you to connect to databases like SQL Server, MySQL, and more using an encrypted connection. You need to download the Skyvia Agent and install it. Then, download a secured key file and place it in the same folder as the Agent. The Agent is like an unbreakable metal door, and you use the key file to open that door to your on-premise data. You can also set it up so that Skyvia can access only the resources you specify and nothing else.
Customers can also leave a request for a new data connector. And Skyvia will prioritize building it without additional payment.
Transformation
Apache Airflow
Apache Airflow provides a flexible way to handle data transformations. Airflow supports a variety of data transformation tasks. This includes data cleansing, aggregation, filtering, and enrichment. You can perform transformations using code-based approaches. So, if you prefer to click than code to perform transformations, this is not for you.
Airflow has a web, graphical interface for data transformations, but coding is always required. So, it supports programming languages like Python and SQL.
Apache Nifi
Apache Nifi transformation capabilities include aggregating, splitting, data encryption, and decryption to hide sensitive information. You can also do XSLT transforms for XML data and JOLT transforms for JSON data. Besides that, you can also do regular expressions and even run SQL commands in relational databases.
All transformations in Apache Nifi are part of its Processors list. So, check specific transformation processors in the Apache Nifi documentation.
Skyvia
Skyvia is a full-featured ETL service that allows powerful data transformations. It is a no-code solution allowing data splitting, conversion, lookups, and many more.
You can use the Skyvia Data Flow and Control Flow for advanced data pipelines. Transformations for these advanced pipelines are flexible. It supports extending your data with new columns, conditional flows, and summarized values. And all these you can do with parameters, variables, and more for flexibility without code.
Moreover, Skyvia has an Expression Builder to build formulas with many functions. With this, you can convert or extract parts of the data or form new values to suit your needs. And if you love coding in SQL, Skyvia can further extend your transformation needs. It supports multiple joins, groupings, CASE expressions, and more in SELECT queries. And you can also use DML commands like INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE.
Support
Apache Airflow
Airflow has an active and helpful community, and users can access various support channels depending on their needs. Their website provides documentation and guides for all levels of users. They also have a mailing list where users can ask for help and get support from the community.
For those who need more help, premium support is available through third-party vendors. These vendors provide support levels, including response time guarantees and service-level agreements (SLAs). They also offer training and consulting services.
Users can reach out to these vendors through their websites or by contacting them directly to benefit from their premium support services. With these options, users can choose the level of support that fits their needs and budget.
Apache Nifi
Open-source projects like Apache Nifi have communities where you can ask for help. You can be a part of their mailing list or you can chat to them through Slack. There is no resolution time for your problems, neither is priority support.
However, there are how-to videos and documentation. And you can ask questions on developer-focused sites like StackOverflow.
Skyvia
Skyvia offers free email, chat (on the website or in-app), and forum support for all customers. It also provides extensive documentation with lots of tutorials and user guides.
For paid customers, there's also a phone support option and additional support options for Enterprise customers.
Pricing
Apache Airflow
Apache Airflow is an open-source platform, which means it’s free to use. There are no hidden charges or fees to access and use Airflow’s core features.
Moreover, Apache Airflow doesn’t need any upfront payment, subscription, or contract. Users can download, install, and run the software. They can do that on their own hardware or cloud infrastructure. They have full control over their deployment, scaling, and maintenance. This makes it an attractive option for those who want to avoid vendor lock-in.
There are also no user, workflow, or data source limitations in using Airflow. You can experiment, innovate, and collaborate on your pipelines without worries.
But this flexibility needs a lot of skilled work hours. So, if you need a data integration tool that is ready to use from day 1, this may not be an attractive option.
Apache Nifi
The tool is free to use, from downloading to configuring. However, keep in mind that you'll have to pay for the planned infrastructure later on. There is no difference whether you'll build your own data centers or use cloud services.
There are also companies offering consulting services and even freelancers who have successful implementations experience, but they also require payment.
So, if you need to get the fast result it will be better to use alternatives that provide quick solutions. Apache Nifi, however, can offer you a flexibility for complex scenarios.
Skyvia
Skyvia Data Integration is a freemium tool with an option to request a 14-day trial. So, price is not a barrier to entry.
And when you’re ready, paid plans start from $19 per month. Pricing tiers depend on a few factors. It includes the number of loaded records, scheduling frequency, and advanced ETL features. There are no sale commitments. And customers can upgrade or downgrade at any time. Check out a detailed comparison here.
If you doubt the price is worth it, check out review sites like G2. Aside from ease of use, reasonable pricing is one of the things Skyvia customers like. So, you can be sure the features you get are worth every penny.