Major Differences Between Fivetran and K3
Overall, which is better — Fivetran or K3? Let’s do a high-level comparison to find out.
- Fivetran only offers limited transformation capabilities. Most of the Fivetran functionality is focused on connecting to data sources.
- Fivetran is expensive to scale: Fivetran uses a consumption-based pricing model that skyrockets with higher data volumes. K3 has far more simple and scalable pricing – we want you to use more and price accordingly.
- In-pipeline data transformations: Fivetran offers no streaming ETL functions. K3 has ETL right in the user interface that allows you to perform mapping, data rules, and many other functions.
- Integrations and adaptors: Fivetran has a one-way Salesforce connector. K3 has over 100 pre-built connectors for upstream and downstream data needs.
- Monitoring and logging in the UI: Fivetran’s UI doesn’t offer monitoring or logging information, K3’s UI includes advanced monitoring and logging tools for progress updates and troubleshooting.
THE BIG TAKEAWAY
- Fivetran can’t perform pre-load ETL transformations.
- Fivetran’s pricing structure makes high-volume data integrations expensive.
- Fivetran is a multi-tenant solution with no data privacy guarantee.
Fivetran and K3 Overview
Fivetran is an ELT tool that performs data transformations after loading information into the destination and requires SQL coding skills to set up automated data transformations. It was designed for low-volume data requirements and only basic extract and load processes. Fivetran relies on the computing power of your destination data warehouses to perform data transformations.
K3 Enterprise is a low-code ETL and ELT platform and integration application with hundreds of connectors (APIs) that perform data transformations either before or after loading. Forged in the belly of the financial markets, K3 is built to grapple with legacy archetypal data forms and nonconforming data sources. K3 loves legacy as much as it does SaaS. See your data, map it and flow it to files, APIs, databases, data warehouses, and data lakes like Redshift and Snowflake.
Let’s see how the features of K3 and Fivetran compare.
FEATURE COMPARISON OF BIZTALK V/S K3
![](https://broadpeaksolutions.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/K3_Logo_forlightbackground_72ppi.png)
![](https://broadpeaksolutions.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/K3_Logo_forlightbackground_72ppi.png)
![Fivetran logo](https://broadpeaksolutions.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/fivetran-02-1024x380.png)
Data Deployment
Hosted Cloud Deployment
Yes
Yes
Private Cloud Deployment
Yes
No
On Premise Deployment
Yes
No
Data Stays Private Guarantee
Yes
No
Scalability
No Per User Charges
Yes
No
Database CDC Connections (see databases)
Yes
No
SaaS Connections (see connectors)
Yes
Yes
Multiple Formats (XML, JSON, EDI, etc.)
Yes
Some
Features Comparison
Data Rules Engines
Yes
No
Low Code Data Route Configuration
Yes
Yes
Low Code ETL
Yes
No
Data Orchestration
Yes
No
Low Learning Curve
Yes
Yes
Audit Trail
Yes
No
Test/Prod accounts included
Yes
No
CAPABILITIES AND FUNCTIONAL COMPARISON IN-DEPTH LOOK
K3
FiveTran
CODING EXPERTISE LEVEL REQUIRED
K3 is a low code environment that doesn’t require programming expertise to get your data where you want it, whether you want to get data into Snowflake, Redshift, or legacy databases.
Fivetran requires SQL coding skills to set up automated data transformations.
COST OF SYSTEM AND SCALABILITY
K3 is optimized for scalability, with unlimited users, no cap on the amount of data flowing, and a pricing structure based on the number of integrations you have and the type of adapters you use.
Fivetran charges based on consumption. This means that A) the more data rows you consume, the higher the cost, so prices can skyrocket as your data volumes grow, and B) it’s difficult to predict how much your data integration costs will be from month to month or year to year.
IN-PIPELINE DATA TRANSFORMATIONS
K3 is an ETL and ELT platform that performs data transformations either before or after loading. K3 has ETL right in the user interface that allows you to perform mapping, data rules, and many other functions.
Fivetran is ELT only and performs data transformations by siphoning processing power from your data warehouse, which increases your data warehouse bill.
INTEGRATIONS AND ADAPTORS
K3 features two-way, Salesforce-to-Salesforce integrations. K3 also requires no API development, but rather has over 100 pre-built connectors for upstream and downstream data needs, a visual data mapping, and a low-code data rules engine that streamlines all of these custom development steps away.
Fivetran has a one-way Salesforce connector that extracts data from Salesforce and loads it into the data warehouse for analysis, it does not allow you to transform Salesforce data in the pipeline and load it back into Salesforce.
MONITORING AND LOGGING IN THE UI
K3’s UI includes advanced monitoring and logging tools for progress updates and troubleshooting.
Fivetran’s UI doesn’t offer monitoring/logging information – like data loading progress estimates, etc. – for pending and completed jobs. So when there’s a problem, it’s really difficult to diagnose.
K3 WINS FOR FLEXIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY
K3 stands on the shoulders of all the integration platforms that came before it and is designed to ensure non-technical tasks can be performed by non-technical people. Built to accommodate evolving technology, K3’s architecture is future-proof. Get started with a free demo today and see how low-code K3 ETL can empower your data transformation.
![](https://broadpeaksolutions.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/K3_demo_mockup-1.jpg)
![](https://broadpeaksolutions.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/K3_demo_mockup-1.jpg)