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.
Zoho DataPrep
Zoho DataPrep is an AI-powered no code ETL data transformation and preparation tool that helps users clean, transform, enrich, and move data. Designed with an intuitive visual pipeline interface, it empowers non-technical users to manage data tasks without needing extensive coding skills. The platform offers built-in AI to prepare data easily and set up powerful automations to move data between systems.
Zoho DataPrep is part of the larger Zoho ecosystem and integrates seamlessly with Zoho products and other 100+ Connectors. It supports connections to a wide variety of data sources and destinations. You can build automated data pipelines to schedule recurring data preparation tasks. With hundreds of pre-built functions available, if you need advanced capabilities, you can use their AI-powered tools or integrate with OpenAI. With this, you can create complex transformations using natural language.
You can start with Zoho DataPrep for free. It is built for organizations of all sizes with transparent pricing, where you only pay for what you use. It prioritizes security with features like encryption and user access controls and enforces strong data security with certifications like GDPR, SOC2 and HIPAA.
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 200 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 | Data ingestion, ETL, reverse ETL, migration, cleaning, preparation, enrichment, data orchestration. | Data ingestion, ELT, ETL, reverse ETL, data sync, workflow automation. |
| Skill level | Python coding skills. | Intuitive, visual interface with no-code transforms. Also features Ask Zia, an AI that allows for natural language interaction. | No-code wizard. Top-rated as one of the easiest ETL tools by G2. |
| Sources | 80+ | 70+ | 200+ |
| Destinations | Supported data sources. | 30+ | Supported data sources, including databases, data warehouses, cloud apps and flat files. |
| Database replication | Full or incremental load. | Full table and incremental fetch via any timestamp column in database tables. | Full table and incremental via timestamp/autoincrement columns or change data capture. |
| Ability for customers to add new data sources | Yes, by coding. | By request. | Yes, by request or using REST API/GraphQL connector. |
| G2 customer satisfaction | 4.3 out of 5 71 reviews | 4.2 out of 5 12 reviews | 4.8 out of 5 300 Reviews |
| Peer Insights satisfaction | - | 4 out of 5 2 ratings | 4.8 105 Ratings |
| Developer tools | Python packages/CLI. Web UI. | REST API / Webhooks to build and orchestrate pipelines | REST and GraphQL connectors with the corresponding API. API to list, start, stop integrations, automations, backups, etc. and view results |
| Advanced ETL capabilities | Integration with other integration tools like Kafka, dbt, Airbyte, and more. | Visual ETL pipeline builder for creating automated, end-to-end data pipelines with 250+ pre-built transforms and data orchestration capabilities. | Visual ETL data pipeline designer with data orchestration capabilities. |
| Compliance and security certifications | No official list of certifications. | GDPR, SOC2, HIPAA. | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS. ISO 27001 by Azure. |
| Purchase process | Download and install. | Self-service sign-up for Free and Standard plans. Enterprise plan requires contacting sales for a quote. | Self-service or sales. |
| Vendor lock-in | None | Monthly or annual contracts, customers are free to cancel anytime. | Monthly or annual contracts. Free to cancel at any time. |
| Pricing | Cloud-hosted with volume-based pricing. Self-managed with a customized package. With a free tier and 14-day trial. | Transparent, usage-based pricing. Forever Free plan available. | Transparent 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.
Zoho DataPrep
Zoho DataPrep supports over 120+ connectors (and expanding..) for automated imports and exports. You can choose from local and cloud databases (MS SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Amazon Redshift, Snowflake, etc.), FTP servers, cloud storage services (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Amazon S3), and business applications (Zoho CRM, Zoho Analytics, Salesforce, etc).
For on-premise data, Zoho DataPrep offers Databridge, a feature that helps seamlessly integrate on-premises data , ensuring a smooth hybrid environment. Users can also import data from any URL or REST API making it highly adaptable to various data sources.
Customers can also leave a request for any new data connector; and DataPrep will prioritize building it.
Skyvia
Skyvia offers more than 200 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. Skyvia prioritizes implementing requested connectors without additional payments.
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.
Zoho DataPrep
Zoho DataPrep offers a comprehensive ETL solution with robust data transformation capabilities. It offers 250+ built-in transforms for cleaning, transforming, blending and enriching data, speeding up the data preparation and movement process. Users can easily identify and fix missing or inconsistent data, perform data quality analysis, and use smart cleansing features.
The platform stands out due to its AI-driven features. You can use Ask Zia, the AI assistant, to automate imports, perform various transforms, and schedule tasks with simple, natural language prompts. The AI Formula Builder allows you to create complex formulas by giving instructions in your natural language, and the Transform by Example feature learns how you want to change a column and applies it to the rest of your data. Zoho DataPrep also enables deeper analysis with AI, such as running sentiment and keyword analysis on customer feedback from support tickets, forms and emails.
In the end, you DON'T need to know any coding to use Zoho DataPrep.
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 expression language to build formulas with many functions and includes AI assistant that can write expressions for you. It allows you 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.
Zoho DataPrep
Zoho DataPrep offers access to chat, phone, knowledge base, community forum, email support, and a customer portal to all customers, along with free weekly webinars.
DataPrep also provides Personalized Demo and how-to videos to help users get started with lots of tutorials and user guides.
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, Skyvia offers a prioritized support including 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.
Zoho DataPrep
Zoho DataPrep has a transparent, usage-based pricing model with three main tiers: Free, Standard, and Enterprise. There is a 15 days free trial (No credit card required).
So once you're ready, paid plans start from as low as $50 per month. Pricing is usage based and depends primarily on the volume of rows processed per month, which ranges from 2 million to over 100 million. Customers are free to cancel anytime.
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 $99 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.