FME vs Fivetran comparison

Fivetran and Safe Software are both solutions in the Data Integration category. Fivetran is ranked #14 with an average rating of 8.3, while Safe Software is ranked #31 with an average rating of 8.0. Fivetran holds a 1.8% mindshare in DI, compared to Safe Software’s 1.1% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of Fivetran users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Safe Software users who would recommend it.

Fivetran

Read 29 Fivetran reviews

6,307 Views
3,973 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

FME

Read 7 FME reviews

3,094 Views
2,382 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Fivetran

FME

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

FME and Fivetran are key players in the data integration market. FME is preferred for its ability to handle complex spatial data transformations, whereas Fivetran is favored for its ease of setup and automated capabilities in cloud environments.

Features: FME shines with its comprehensive geospatial analysis abilities, support for complex data types, and a wide array of connectors facilitating diverse system integration. Its graphical interface simplifies the debugging and optimization processes. Fivetran's strongest features include automated data pipeline management, easy integration with systems like DBT, and the ability to handle large data volumes with minimal manual intervention. The solution's change data capture capability ensures efficient data flow between platforms.

Room for Improvement: FME could enhance its cloud deployment options and streamline its setup process to reduce the initial complexity. Users also seek more intuitive interfaces for non-specialist users. Fivetran might improve by offering more detailed customization options for advanced users, expanding its native connector list to cover less common databases, and optimizing its pricing structure for smaller data loads.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: FME excels in offering robust, customizable on-premise deployment solutions with extensive configuration options, catering to specific data needs. Conversely, Fivetran provides a quick, cloud-based deployment model that minimizes setup time and maintenance through its automated updates. While FME supports more detailed configurations, Fivetran simplifies deployment, backed by effective customer service.

Pricing and ROI: FME requires a higher upfront investment due to its feature-rich environment and customization potential, yielding a higher ROI in complex data transformation cases. Fivetran uses a subscription model with lower initial costs, delivering quicker ROI for fast-paced cloud integrations, especially beneficial for organizations looking to implement swiftly and scale efficiently.

To learn more, read our detailed FME vs. Fivetran Report (Updated: April 2026).

Buyer's Guide

FME vs. Fivetran

April 2026

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Helped 893,221 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Fivetran

Ranking in Data Integration

14th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Data Replication (3rd), Cloud Data Integration (9th)

FME

Ranking in Data Integration

31st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Data Integration category, the mindshare of Fivetran is 1.8%, down from 2.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of FME is 1.1%, down from 1.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Data Integration Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Fivetran	1.8%
FME	1.1%
Other	97.1%

Data Integration

Featured Reviews

Hafiz Usman

Team Lead Data Engineer at Data Pilot

Has accelerated data integration workflows and supports seamless development of custom connectors

I've worked extensively with Fivetran, mainly used for extraction purposes, and I've worked with the transformation element in it as well. Fivetran not only has built-in connectors but also provides SDK connectors, allowing us to develop our own connectors in an easy manner. I don't have to write raw Python scripts or dumping scripts; it offers straightforward examples and guidelines, making it much simpler to develop custom connectors inside Fivetran. We've been able to develop many custom connectors as well, which is unique and beneficial for having everything centralized instead of having those connectors located elsewhere. One of the best features by Fivetran is its clean, simple, and intuitive UI. It includes a transformation section where I can deploy my DBT queries and scripts. It also supplies good tracking capabilities for billing estimates and user permissions, allowing for customization to the desired level. The number of connectors it has remains a standout feature, and within connectors, the options available are very helpful. Although it sometimes appears static due to its built-in nature, it offers good flexibility for data transformation and caching, which I appreciate because it saves us extensive script-writing time.

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Gert Booysen

Software Solutions Leader at GE Vernova

Extensive format support and reliable integration enhance data management while new pricing model requires reassessment

I haven't had any input or requirements from any customers that are not currently covered, so I don't have any additional needs that were identified or raised to me. Regarding pricing, with the model changes that they've implemented a while back, it actually made it more expensive to use, especially on the server side. They changed the licensing model, and that made customers think it is overpriced. Some customers were actually looking at alternatives. Pricing with the model changes was perceived negatively. I work primarily with enterprise customers, Vodacom, Eskom, so it's tier-one customers. For small customers, this solution is a bit too expensive. They don't really use it and just do direct integration on smaller implementations. This is basically used by tier-one customers. FME is still able to save time and money for clients. It's still a good investment. Regarding similar products to FME, GE developed a product called Data Fabric. That is a real-time operational integration platform, Data Fabric Network Connect, which is a GE Grid OS product. It is actually more expensive than FME, but the purpose is different as it's operational. The vendor in this case is GE, and it's a company that we bought that used to be called Greenbird. In current use scenarios, FME is still leading compared to Data Fabric. The GE product has a different application.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"We would have to hire multiple data engineers to do what Fivetran does and each would cost us about $200,000 a year."

"The solution is stable, and we've never faced any stability issues."

"The user interface is mostly UI-based, eliminating the need for a lot of coding."

"The product has some seamless connectors, which are readily available."

"Its arrays are powerful enough to handle migrations even when the replication is happening in the background, without causing any trouble with the ongoing traffic."

"Fivetran provides time savings, cost reductions, and improvements in data quality, and when the time investment decreases, fewer developers are needed, which means significant savings."

"The solution is stable. We've never faced any stability issues."

"For us, Fivetran has been able to scale both in terms of the data we bring into our warehouse and the amount of data that we use as well."

More Fivetran pros

"It has standard plug-ins available for different data sources."

"FME is spatially aware and understands how to deal with the conversion of spatial objects and their attributes."

"It has a very friendly user interface. You don't need to use a lot of code. For us that's the most important aspect about it. Also, it has a lot of connectors and few forms. It has a strong facial aspect. It can do a lot of facial analysis."

"All spatial features are unrivaled, and the possibility to execute them based on a scheduled trigger, manual, e-mail, Websocket, tweet, file/directory change or virtually any trigger is most valuable."

"FME's features that I have found most valuable are that it has a very friendly user interface, you don't need to use a lot of code, it has a lot of connectors and few forms, and it has a strong facial aspect that can do a lot of facial analysis."

"The most valuable feature of FME is the graphical user interface. There is nothing better. It is very easy to debug because you can see all steps where there are failures. Overall the software is easy to optimize a process."

"The most valuable feature of FME is the graphical user interface."

"From my reseller perspective, the best features in FME are the ease of operation and the fact that it works."

More FME pros

Cons

"There was a random change to our contract in a unilateral manner after the first year. The overall cost of using Fivetran was then unclear and this is the reason I would not recommend this solution."

"We experience cost issues because Fivetran is charged on a usage basis. When you reach a certain level, the tool should focus on reducing the costs. The solution is expensive when you are moving gigabytes and petabytes of data. It should also focus more on REST APIs and webhooks."

"HVR Software's technical support could be improved. Whenever we log a case, the response that we get from the support is a bit delayed."

"Fivetran is very expensive, and its database-driven pricing model is outdated."

"Some features don't work as advertised for the platform/repository database, and HVR is not always the fastest at getting results."

"The interface needs to be more user-friendly."

"Fivetran is very expensive for data sources with a lot of rows, such as email data. I would like to see cheaper pricing for data sources like that."

"The connections with SAP must be improved."

More Fivetran cons

"To get a higher rating, it would have to improve the price and the associated scalability. These are the main issues."

"FME can improve the geographical transformation. I've had some problems with the geographical transformations, but it's probably mostly because I'm not the most skilled geographer in-house. The solution requires some in-depth knowledge to perform some functions."

"FME is a great tool, but I don't know if we can scale it up since the prices are high and we would need to convince the decision makers to provide more budget."

"FME's price needs improvement for the African market."

"The one thing that always appears in the community is the ability to make really easy loops to loop through data efficiently. That needs to be added at some point."

"We are looking at the possibility of using Glue instead of FME, using the native AWS product."

"FME can improve the geographical transformation. I've had some problems with the geographical transformations, but it's probably mostly because I'm not the most skilled geographer in-house."

"Improvements could be made to mapping presentations."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"In the first year, we were given a very good discount. It was approximately 20,000 Euros per year. In the third year, we purchased credit for two years and the price was 33,000 Euros per year."

"I would say they're a little bit on the expensive side, and their contract process is not particularly good, but there is a lot of potential flexibility."

"The licensing costs are extremely high for the usage of somebody who has one GB or two GB of usage per day for real-time traffic. There are many other players in the market which are similarly priced or competitively priced. On average per month, it used to come around 12,000-15,000 USD, which is very high."

"I rate the pricing a six out of ten."

"Fivetran is very expensive, and its database-driven pricing model is outdated."

"The product is reasonably expensive"

"The solution is affordable."

"When you have a lot of workflows and complex use cases, pricing goes down as you use it more."

More Fivetran pricing and cost advice

"The product's price is reasonable."

"FME Server used to cost £10,000; now it can cost over £100,000."

"We used the standard licensing for our use of FME. The cost was approximately €15,000 annually. We always welcome less expensive solutions, if the solution could be less expensive it would be helpful."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

11%

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Government

29%

Energy/Utilities Company

13%

Construction Company

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	10
Midsize Enterprise	7
Large Enterprise	16

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	2
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	4

Questions from the Community

What's the deal with the HVR software acquisition?

As a user of HVR Software I followed this deal closely. Fivetran is apparently trying to establish more in its sector and by buying an already established data replication software, they become som...

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Does HVR Software provide reliable insights?

I honestly can't think of another data replication software that can give you better statistics and insight than HVR Software. There's the feature for topology and statistics and both of them can ...

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How much traffic can HVR Software handle?

As someone who works at a company where a high volume of information is replicated and has tried several data replication softwares, I can tell you that you're looking at the right one. HVR Softwar...

See all answers

What needs improvement with FME?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for FME?

The use cases for FME are mainly integration to the GE Smallworld product. GE Smallworld is a GE product, and we are using it to integrate with other third-party products into GE Smallworld and ADM...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering FME?

The overall rating for FME is eight out of ten, and I prefer the feedback to be anonymous. My job title is Senior Solutions Architect.

See all answers

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Fivetran

May 2026

Download Fivetran product report

Buyer's Guide

FME

May 2026

Download FME product report

Overview

Fivetran offers a seamless, scalable data integration platform with strong connectors and real-time synchronization. Tailored for managing ETL workflows and integrating with DBT, it appeals to organizations seeking efficient data management.

Fivetran distinguishes itself through its intuitive interface and extensive scalability, allowing businesses to manage entire ETL workflows seamlessly. Its robust connectors ensure smooth integration with multiple data sources, while transparent logging and minimal coding requirements enhance accessibility. With real-time data synchronization, organizations benefit from up-to-date insights for analytics and engineering purposes. While some users point out areas for improvement like better documentation and expanded integration options, Fivetran remains a cherished tool for centralizing data in data warehouses such as supporting change data capture, migrations, and synchronizations from systems like Salesforce, NetSuite, and Google Analytics. Operating within an ELT framework, it empowers businesses to streamline data processes without complex extraction logic.

What are the key features of Fivetran?

Ease of Use: Intuitive platform minimizing setup complexity
Scalability: Adapt to growing data needs efficiently
Powerful Connectors: Seamless integration with diverse data sources
Real-Time Synchronization: Instant data updates supporting timely insights
DBT Integration: Simplifies transformations within ETL workflows
Transparent Logging: Provides clear visibility into operations

Which benefits can users expect in reviews?

Cost-Effective Scalability: Manage increased data without significant financial impact
Minimal Coding: Reduces technical barriers enhancing accessibility
Comprehensive Data Management: Centralizes diverse data streams effectively
Timely Analytics: Real-time updates foster actionable insights
Streamlined Workflow Management: Efficiently handles complex ETL processes

In industry-specific implementation, Fivetran is integral for businesses requiring robust data integration to power analytics. Retailers utilize it to consolidate e-commerce data for sales insights, while finance firms rely on its capabilities to merge financial data for reporting. In the tech sector, it supports engineering teams by providing a reliable data pipeline that fuels app development and performance monitoring.

Fivetran

FME is a powerful tool designed for efficient geospatial data handling, supporting over 400 file formats and integrating with diverse systems. Its intuitive interface facilitates seamless automation of workflows, making it ideal for sectors that manage large spatial data volumes.

With FME, businesses automate data flows and manage GIS data transfers while integrating with tools like GE Smallworld. It empowers users with self-service capabilities for data processing and real-time event management. Despite its strengths, users note areas for improvement such as better mapping presentations, simpler loops, and more guidance on geographical transformations. Pricing remains a consideration for some markets. However, FME is a robust solution for massive data transformations, network infrastructure management, and automation of data quality control, especially in governmental contexts.

What are FME's key features?

Spatial Capabilities: Efficient handling of geospatial data through triggers and automation.
Integration: Seamlessly works with FME Flow, FME Form, and scripting languages like Python.
User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies data transformation and debugging without extensive coding.
Format Support: Over 400 file formats ensure wide-ranging compatibility.
System Integration: Connects with numerous systems, preferred for large spatial data volumes.

What benefits should users consider?

Automation: Streamlines workflows and reduces manual intervention.
Efficiency: Handles large datasets effectively, optimizing data operations.
Cost-Effectiveness: Despite pricing concerns, offers significant functionality for data processing.
Self-Service Capabilities: Enables users to manage and transform data independently.
Real-Time Processing: Supports real-time event handling for dynamic environments.

FME is widely adopted across industries that require precise geospatial data management such as government agencies needing to automate and control data processes efficiently or organizations handling complex network infrastructures that engage in frequent GIS data transfers. Its capacity for seamless integration with various systems enables practical use for extensive data transformations and automation, increasing operational efficiency in data-intensive sectors.

Safe Software

Sample Customers

Autodesk, Condé Nast, JetBlue, Morgan Stanley, OpenAI, LVMH, Pfizer, Verizon, SpotifyNational Australia Bank, Saks, Cemex, Okta, Dropbox, Pitney Bowes, World Fuel Services,Lufthansa, AutoZone, ASICS, ASOS, Coupa, Databricks, Hermes, New Relic, Intercom,Canva, Honeywell, Square, DocuSign, Nandos, Oldcastle Infrastructure

Shell, US Department of Commerce, PG&E, BC Hydro, City of Vancouver, Enel, Iowa DoT, San Antonio Water System

Buyer's Guide

FME vs. Fivetran

April 2026

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