Microsoft Azure hosts some of the most powerful data repositories fueling analytics for thousands of enterprises. These include Microsoft solutions like OneLake, Azure Synapse, Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS) and SQL Server, as well as open source options like PostgreSQL and MySQL.

For enterprises adopting Microsoft Azure, data integration is a critical step in unlocking analytical value like business intelligence and AI. While Azure Data Factory (ADF) is the default option for Azure-native solutions, Fivetran offers unique advantages that enable faster, more reliable data movement, even for the most complex enterprise environments. From an extensive connector library to change data capture (CDC) capabilities and robust deployment options, here are six reasons why our customers choose Fivetran over ADF as their data integration solution.

1. Unmatched connector library: 650+ connectors for all your data needs 

With over 650 connectors, Fivetran simplifies the integration of virtually any data source into Azure. From widely used tools like Salesforce, Stripe and Microsoft Dynamics to industry-specific applications such as Oracle NetSuite and SAP, Fivetran offers a broader and deeper range of connectivity options compared to ADF. This ensures that no matter where your data lives, it can be seamlessly moved into Azure environments like Synapse, ADLS and OneLake.

For example, Fivetran’s Salesforce connector offers a sophisticated approach to handling formula fields. Unlike ADF, which only captures the value at the time of extraction, Fivetran’s connector updates formula fields dynamically by reflecting them as database views, ensuring accuracy without the need for repeated full refreshes. A leading provider in pharmacy and patient support services leverages this capability to improve data reliability and achieve real-time insights critical to patient care.

For sources not natively supported, Fivetran’s Connector SDK allows custom pipelines with secure, self-written code, offering flexibility, control and simplicity that’s unmatched by ADF.

This diversity of connectors is further backed by exceptional reliability, with Fivetran’s Support, Customer Success and Technical Success teams collaborating to maintain over 99.9% uptime.

2. Real-time insights with industry-leading CDC

Fivetran’s change data capture (CDC) capabilities enable real-time data sync, essential for businesses needing up-to-date insights. With advanced binary log reading and proprietary Teleport Sync technology, Fivetran ensures minimal latency without putting strain on the source database.

Unlike ADF, whose CDC support is limited to a few database sources, Fivetran’s CDC spans hundreds of sources. For businesses relying on dynamic reporting or machine learning, this speed and reliability mean continuous insights without delay. A large international financial services firm uses Fivetran’s CDC to power real-time analysis, saving data science and engineering hours and freeing resources for performance optimization.

3. Flexible deployment options for enterprise compliance and security

While ADF is a fully cloud-based solution, Fivetran provides flexible deployment options, including fully SaaS, self-hosted or hybrid. This is particularly advantageous for highly regulated industries where data security and compliance are top priorities. With Fivetran’s Hybrid Deployment, enterprises can process sensitive data on-premises while managing configurations via the cloud — offering a secure, compliant and streamlined approach that ADF cannot match.

Learn more about Fivetran’s newly-released Hybrid Deployment options here. 

Learn more about Fivetran’s self-hosted HVR here. 

4. No-code, fully managed pipelines for rapid implementation

Many Azure customers initially build custom pipelines using code or native tools like ADF, only to find that the required maintenance far exceeds expectations, resulting in high costs. Fivetran’s fully managed, no-code platform enables users to set up data pipelines in minutes, eliminating the need for technical expertise and reducing maintenance to a minimum.  

One of the world’s leading oil and gas companies, after struggling with manual processes and frequent schema changes in ADF, adopted Fivetran and saved over $500,000 in engineering costs. With Fivetran, their analysts moved from pipeline management to focusing on generating high-quality insights, achieving greater operational efficiency and value.

As shown below, ADF pipelines often involve dozens of nodes, each specifying operations like joins or filters, making troubleshooting and knowledge transfer challenging. With Fivetran, data setup is quick, intuitive and dependable, ensuring data is available when you need it — without manual configuration.

Typical complexity for an ADF pipeline – 18 nodes

5. Proven SAP integration for enterprise-scale needs

For enterprises relying on SAP, Fivetran aligns with SAP’s data integration best practices, supporting a variety of architectures and licensing.

A Fortune Global 500 manufacturer aimed to enhance end-to-end manufacturing throughput across its global sites, which required maintenance and calibration data from factories stored in an SAP ERP. Fivetran offered a reliable and efficient data integration platform that ensured minimal disruption to its SAP operational systems, allowing for seamless integration and data flow. The company was able to make substantial cost savings while improving manufacturing efficiency and productivity.

In contrast, ADF’s limited SAP CDC connector uses extraction methods that SAP has explicitly discouraged, leaving customers to seek alternative solutions in the future. Fivetran’s SAP integration meets enterprise demands, offering secure, compliant data movement that scales with organizational needs.

6. A trusted partner in Microsoft’s ecosystem

As a Microsoft Global Data & AI Prioritized Partner, Fivetran offers full compatibility with Azure while adding powerful data integration capabilities that go beyond ADF’s native offerings. Available directly in the Azure Marketplace and MACC-eligible, Fivetran simplifies procurement and enhances cost management for enterprises invested in Azure.

For organizations looking to accelerate their Azure adoption while maintaining control, security and reliability, Fivetran provides a best-in-class solution that consistently outperforms ADF. By choosing Fivetran, enterprises gain access to an extensive connector library, efficient CDC capabilities, flexible deployment and simplified pipeline management — all designed to drive faster insights and maximize the value of your Azure investment.

If your goal is to integrate data seamlessly and scale effectively, Fivetran is the clear choice to power your enterprise data strategy.

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