Selecting the right data pipeline platform determines whether your data team spends time building pipelines or managing budget considerations and maintenance requirements. While Fivetran dominates conversations around automated ELT and Hevo Data appeals to teams seeking no-code simplicity, Integrate.io's ETL platform offers something neither competitor provides: a fixed-fee, unlimited-usage model combined with comprehensive ETL, ELT, CDC, and Reverse ETL capabilities. Understanding these fundamental differences—between usage-based pricing that scales with data volume and fixed-fee transparency—helps data teams select the approach that matches their growth trajectory and budget constraints.
Key Takeaways
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Integrate.io delivers fixed-fee pricing at $1,999/month for unlimited data volumes, pipelines, and connectors, while Fivetran offers a free tier (500K MAR) with MAR-based paid tiers and Hevo Data provides a free tier with Starter plans at $239/month annually
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Only Integrate.io offers all four major data movement capabilities—ETL, ELT, Reverse ETL, and CDC—in a single platform, while Fivetran focuses on ELT without native Reverse ETL
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Integrate.io includes 220+ low-code transformations with AI-powered components, whereas Fivetran requires external dbt for transformation capabilities
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Customers switching to Integrate.io report saving 34-71%
Fivetran
Fivetran positions itself as the industry leader in fully automated ELT, offering 900+ pre-built connectors (700+ sources and 200+ destinations) with hands-off schema drift handling. Founded in 2012, Fivetran has built enterprise credibility as it excels at batch-based analytics workloads where 15-minute sync intervals suffice, though its MAR-based pricing scales with data volume as usage grows.
Hevo Data
Hevo Data takes a streaming-first approach, building on Kafka architecture for real-time data flow. Founded in 2017, Hevo targets SMB and mid-market teams with its no-code interface and generous free tier offering 1 million events monthly. The platform is designed for smaller to mid-market scale with Starter plans at $239/month annually.
Integrate.io
Integrate.io represents a fundamentally different philosophy. Rather than charging per row or event, the platform offers complete data pipeline capabilities under one fixed monthly fee. This includes ETL and Reverse ETL, real-time CDC, and API management—eliminating the need to stitch together multiple tools from different vendors. The low-code approach serves both technical and non-technical users, while the fixed pricing model removes the anxiety of unexpected bills.
Connector Ecosystems
Each platform approaches integrations differently:
Fivetran's connector advantage:
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900+ connectors—extensive library
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Automatic maintenance and updates for all connectors
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Strong enterprise database support (Oracle, SAP via HVR)
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Function Connector SDK for custom sources
Hevo Data's connector approach:
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150+ connectors focused on popular sources
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Real-time streaming connectors for operational use cases
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REST API and webhook support for custom integrations
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Focused connector library—may require development requests for niche sources
Integrate.io's connector strategy:
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Connects 150+ data sources with continuous expansion
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Native REST API connector for building custom integrations without coding
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Bi-directional Salesforce connector—unique for Salesforce org consolidation
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Advanced SharePoint and SFTP support for enterprise file workflows
While Fivetran leads in raw connector count, Integrate.io's native REST API connector enables teams to build custom integrations for any source without waiting for vendor development.
Transformation Capabilities
The transformation gap between platforms reveals significant architectural differences:
Integrate.io transformation power:
Fivetran's transformation approach:
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Schema mapping only for pre-load transformations
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Requires external dbt for transformation work
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dbt Cloud licensing adds additional cost
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SQL and dbt only
Hevo Data's transformation approach:
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Python-based transformations for pre-load processing
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dbt Core integration for post-load work
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Native operations for common transformations
For teams needing rich data transformation without managing external tools, Integrate.io's comprehensive transformation library provides clear advantages.
Real-Time Data Replication
Speed matters for operational analytics and real-time decision-making:
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Integrate.io: 60-second CDC with zero data replication lag
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Fivetran: 15-minute standard syncs, 1-minute on Enterprise tier
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Hevo Data: Real-time streaming on Kafka architecture, variable latency
Integrate.io's 60-second replication enables near-real-time operational use cases that Fivetran's standard tier cannot support at the same frequency.
Pricing Models: The True Cost of Data Integration
Understanding Each Pricing Structure
Integrate.io's fixed-fee model:
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$1,999/month for unlimited data volumes, pipelines, and connectors
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Unlimited users included
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60-second pipeline frequency
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30-day onboarding with dedicated Solutions Engineer
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No overage charges—ever
Fivetran's usage-based model:
Hevo Data's event-based model:
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Free tier: 1 million events/month
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Starter: $239/month annually for 5-50M events
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Professional tier available
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Premium connector fees for certain sources
Security and Compliance: Enterprise-Grade Protection
Data security requirements vary significantly across these platforms:
Integrate.io's comprehensive security:
Fivetran's tiered security approach:
Hevo Data's security posture:
The critical difference: Integrate.io includes enterprise security features on every plan, while Fivetran gates certain security capabilities behind premium pricing tiers.
Support and Partnership: Beyond Software
Integrate.io's support philosophy:
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24/7 support for all users—no premium tiers required
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Dedicated Solutions Engineer from day one
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30-day hands-on onboarding
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Contract buyout program for locked-in customers
Fivetran's support structure:
Hevo Data's support approach:
Integrate.io's equal-access support model ensures every customer receives expert assistance, regardless of plan size.
Why Integrate.io Delivers Superior Value
For data teams managing growing data volumes, usage-based pricing creates a tradeoff: constrain data growth to control costs, or accept bills that scale with usage. Integrate.io eliminates this dilemma entirely.
Key advantages of the Integrate.io approach:
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Cost predictability: Fixed $1,999/month pricing means budgeting becomes simple. No MAR calculations, no event counting, no surprise invoices.
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Complete platform: Rather than managing multiple vendors for ETL, ELT, CDC, and Reverse ETL, one platform handles all data movement needs.
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Transformation power: 220+ low-code operations with AI-powered components reduce dependency on external tools and specialized SQL knowledge.
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Speed advantage: 60-second CDC enables operational analytics use cases that competitors' standard tiers cannot support.
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Equal support access: 24/7 assistance regardless of plan tier creates better customer outcomes than tiered support models.
For growing companies where data volumes will increase over time, Integrate.io's fixed-fee model provides both immediate cost savings and long-term budget protection that usage-based alternatives cannot match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Fivetran, Hevo Data, and Integrate.io?
Fivetran focuses on automated ELT with an extensive connector library but uses usage-based pricing that scales with data volume. Hevo Data offers streaming-first architecture with affordable entry pricing designed for smaller to mid-market scale. Integrate.io provides comprehensive ETL, ELT, CDC, and Reverse ETL capabilities under fixed-fee pricing with 220+ transformations—the only platform offering all four data movement types without usage-based billing.
Which platform is best for real-time data replication needs?
Integrate.io leads with 60-second CDC replication and zero data lag. Fivetran's standard tier offers only 15-minute intervals, with 1-minute syncs requiring Enterprise pricing. Hevo Data provides real-time streaming but with variable latency. For operational analytics requiring near-real-time data, Integrate.io's CDC platform provides the fastest consistent replication without premium tier requirements.
How do the pricing models compare for scaling organizations?
Fivetran's MAR-based pricing and Hevo's event-based model both increase with data volume, creating costs that scale with usage as organizations grow. Integrate.io's $1,999/month fixed fee includes unlimited data volumes, pipelines, and connectors. Migration case studies show customers save 34-71% when switching from usage-based alternatives. For organizations anticipating data growth, Integrate.io's model provides both immediate savings and long-term cost protection.
What security and compliance certifications does Integrate.io hold?
Integrate.io maintains SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA compliance on all plans—not just premium tiers. The platform employs CISSP-certified security team members, offers Field Level Encryption via Amazon KMS, and has been approved by Fortune 100 company security teams. Unlike Fivetran, which gates HIPAA compliance behind Business Critical pricing, Integrate.io includes enterprise security features for every customer.
Can Integrate.io handle both low-code and code-first development?
Yes. Integrate.io provides 220+ low-code transformation operations through a drag-and-drop interface for non-technical users, while supporting Python transformations for developers needing custom logic. The platform also includes an AI-powered transformation component for automated data cleansing and normalization. This flexibility serves both business analysts and data engineers within the same platform.
