12 Best Free and Open Source ETL Tools for Data Integration

12 Best Free and Open Source ETL Tools for Data Integration-feature image
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Open Source ETL tools efficiently pull data from one or more data sources, apply a series of transformations to that data, and then load the resulting data into a destination data warehouse. It is used to perform complex data transformations, such as data cleansing, data deduplication, data migration, data enrichment, and data aggregation.

When it comes to choosing the type of ETL application, open-source ETL tools are usually free, well-supported by developer communities, and are often more scalable and customizable than commercial ETL systems.

But with so many free ETL tools on the market, it is extremely difficult to know which one is right for you. So, we have done the work and brought the 12 Best Free and Open Source ETL Tools for Big Data Management.

What are ETL Tools? 

ETL Tools are software programs that assist in managing ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) procedures. This involves extracting data from different sources, transforming it for quality, and loading it into data warehouses. When implemented properly, both proprietary and open-source ETL tools can help in simplifying data management strategies and enhancing data quality by delivering a unified approach to share and store data. 

What are the Key Features of Open Source ETL Tools? 

Open-source ETL software will come with features like data deduplication, normalization, enrichment, and migration to manage complex data. Some other features of ETL tools include: 

  • Scalability: A scalable ETL tool can help manage your ETL procedures when there has been an increase in the volume of managed data. This eliminates any need for an external ETL tool and saves costs while managing data in bulk. 
  • Data Error Identification: This feature can help you in minimizing data errors to provide you with accurate and reliable information. 
  • Data Visualization Models: ETL tools come with various data visualization models to visualize and represent data easily. Depending on your business requirements, you can choose from various models like Venn diagrams, pie charts, graphs, and so on. 
  • Data Integration: The data integration feature will help you in extracting data from multiple sources like local servers and applications. Many of the free open-source ETL tools come with built-in connectors to easily extract data from various sources including software like CRM and HRMS.
  • Data Cleansing: With this feature, you will be able to remove any type of data errors like truncated spaces and formatting before storing them in data warehouses. 

How Do We Select the Best Free and Open Source ETL Tools? 

Open Source ETL Tools can be of great help while managing the extraction, transformation and loading of data. From curating data from various sources to loading data into warehouses, everything can be done with a single software. We have compared some of the best ETL software based on metrics like features, pricing, pros and cons, etc. 

We’ve compared different ETL tools based on features like data extraction, data pipelines, real-time data transformation, end-to-end data orchestration, and so on. As most of the software examples listed below are open source, and you can use most of their features for free. However, to use certain features, you might need to upgrade it to a paid one. 

Top ETL Tools List Open Source: Comparison Chart

Here is the table comparing unique functionalities and prices of the best data integrator tools.

ETL Tools ListUSPPrice
Talend Open StudioSupports all types of deployment, open source ETL tool for Big Data14 Days Free Trial
Custom Pricing
SingerSupports 100+ Sources and 10+ DestinationsFree
Pentaho Data IntegrationIntegrated Data extractions and transformation with business analytics30 days Free trials
Custom Pricing
Apache NifiPowerful Graphs for Data transformation, routing, and system mediation logic.Free
Apache CamelIntegrates Data producers and consumer with easeFree
AirbyteCustomizable, pre-built and maintenance free Data Connector and APIFree on-premises version
Cloud deployed version costs ₹200/credit
KETLPowerful Job scheduling and Execution XML, SQL and OS defined jobsFree
CloverDXDevelop, test and debug entire dataflow pipeline45 Days Free Trial
Custom Pricing
ApatarMapping and transforming semi structured and unstructured dataCustom pricing

12 Best Open Source ETL Tools with Detailed Analysis

Here are some of the best ETL and data integration tools along with their features and pricing.

  • Talend Open Studio

Talend Open Studio

With Talend Open Studio, you can easily and quickly transform complex data with the help of a graphical environment. This open source ETL software also offers drag and drops features for faster data transformation.

Talend Features

  • Connect to Hadoop and NoSQL databases
  • Powerful data integration
  • Data governance and integrity
  • Also, supports cloud, multi-cloud and Hybrid cloud
  • Integrated Data with documentation and categorization
  • Quality data access and lifecycle management

Talend Pros and Cons

Pros
  • It efficiently handles big data sources.
Cons
  • Does not provide any option to test the unit components of databases.

Talend Pricing

Talend Open Studio offers a 14-day free trial. However, you can also upgrade to a Big Data Platform and Data Fabric plan. In fact, this free ETL tool has a custom pricing plan that varies according to the needs of the organization.

  • Singer

Singer Tap is a non-proprietary ETL software that allows you to move data from various platforms like MySQL, Salesforce, and Postgres into data warehouses like Redshift, BigQuery, and Snowflake. Moreover, Singer Tap is extremely lightweight and easy to use. You can also schedule your data transformation and you can automatically handle the tasks with this open source ETL software.

Singer Tap Features

  • Additionally, supports multiple data sources and destination
  • Batch and real-time data transformation ·
  • Data scheduling
  • Unix Inspired for simple targets and taps
  • JSON supported for easy implementation and customization
  • Also, allows automated alert and monitoring system

Singer Pros and Cons

Pros
  • You can pull data from any source and put it into the destination.
  • Its data scripts are written in JSON format. Therefore, it can be read in any programming language.
Cons
  • Data transformation takes a lot of time.

Singer Tap Price

It is free and open-source ETL software.

  • Pentaho Data Integration

Pentaho Data Integration and Analytics or PDI is a part of the Hitachi Vantara DataOps suite. Moreover, with PDI, you can easily extract, transform and manipulate data by designing and deploying enterprise-level, end-to-end data pipelines. This open source ETL tool allows you to distribute data regardless of whether it’s in a lake, warehouse, or device, and integrate all of the data with a seamless flow.

Pentaho Features

  • End-to-end data orchestration
  • Drag and drop interface
  • Pre-existing dataflow templates
  • Flexible architecture
  • Machine learning algorithm
  • Powerful data integration, transformation, and manipulation.

Pentaho Pros and Cons

Pros
  • It offers multiple options to transform data as per your requirements.
  • You get several tools for the purpose of data extraction and mining.
Cons
  • Users take a lot of time to get familiar with its data orchestration features as they are complex to use.

Pentaho Open Source ETL Price

It offers a 30-day free trial. However, Pentaho’s Enterprise Edition’s price varies depending upon the requirements of users. Contact the Techjockey team for more details.

  • Apache Nifi

Apache NiFi is a useful, powerful, and scalable open source ETL application for routing and transforming data flow. It is a reliable free ETL tool since as supports system mediation logic and scalable data routing graphs in addition to high-level data transformation features.

There are several other options to customize your data flow, such as determining high throughput or low latency, guaranteeing delivery, or tolerating loss.

Apache Nifi Features

  • Interactive browser-based user interface
  • Entire information lifecycle management
  • Guaranteed delivery with loss tolerance
  • High throughput and low latency
  • Prioritization based on dynamic factors
  • Processor and service component architecture
  • Iterative development and testing
  • Multi-tenant policy and authorization management

Apache Pros and Cons

Pros
  • It also lets you modify data workflows during run time.
  • You also get a provenance module for tracking and monitoring data till the end of the pipeline.
Cons
  • Its data transformation feature is not up to the mark compared to its competitors.

Apache Nifi Pricing

It is a completely free and open source.

Suggested Read: 12 Best Open Source Data Visualization Tools

  • Apache Camel

Apache Camel is another popular and full-featured enterprise data integration framework that integrates various data consumption and generation systems. Additionally, this open-source data warehouse software provides a Java object-based implementation of the Enterprise Integration Patterns or EIPs to transform and route data with Java beans through the routing engine. You can use Camel either as a standalone application or embed it in other J2EE applications.

Apache Camel Features

  • Multiple EIP patterns for data transformation and routing
  • Robust extensible framework for connecting disparate systems
  • Domain-specific languages for configuration
  • 50+ Data Platforms
  • Also, supports microservice architecture integration pattern

Apache Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Its data integration procedure is really fast.
  • You can process data in almost 50+ formats.
Cons
  • Its data routing feature does not function properly.

Apache Camel Pricing

It is a completely free and open-source data integrator.

  • Airbyte

Airbyte is an open source ELT tool that synchronizes data from APIs, databases, and applications to warehouses. Moreover, data engineering teams can manage everything from one platform using Airbyte’s modular architecture and open-source nature.

Airbyte Features

  • High-quality data connectors for easy API and Schema adaptation
  • Customizable pre-built connectors
  • Connector development kit
  • DBT based transformation
  • Large Community-based.
  • Highly configurable data pipelines.

Airbyte Pros and Cons

Pros
  • It offers multiple pre-built connectors to easily integrate data from various sources.
  • It creates data replication in a few minutes.
Cons
  • Users have stated that they faced scaling issues while dealing with bulk data.

Airbyte Pricing

The on-premises open-source version is completely free. However, the cloud-deployed version of Airbyte pricing starts at ₹200/credit.

  • KETL

KETL is another ETL platform with (a General Public License) GPL that facilitates the extraction, development, and deployment of data consolidation and transformation processes. In fact, users can schedule ETL jobs based on time or data events using KETL’s scheduling manager. In addition to proprietary database APIs, this free ETL tool supports both relational and independent file sources of data.

KETL Features

  • Compatible with multiples CPUs and X-64 servers
  • Platform independent engine
  • Dataflows based job scheduling and execution
  • Conditional exception management and alerts
  • Executes XML, SQL and OS defined jobs
  • Central repository and Performance Monitoring

KETL Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Its data loading time is quite fast.
  • You can also use it for managing and loading complex data sets.
Cons
  • Its interface is a bit complicated to use.

KETL Pricing

It is a free and open source with GPL license.

  • CloverDX

Clover DX

CloverDX ETL software enables developers to connect to any data source and manage a wide variety of data formats and transformations. Additionally, with this open-source data warehouse tool, developers can write, read, consolidate, join, and validate data with a wide range of customizable components. Also, as an added benefit, you can create data pipelines easily and debug them using an integrated development environment.

CloverDX Features

  • Visual Interface and prebuilt components assist in quick development.
  • Data monitoring in real time
  • Inbuilt coding, debugging, and testing
  • Version control tracking
  • Orchestrate external and internal dataflows
  • Legacy code integration

CloverDX Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Generates the reports of data extracted from different sources.
  • It has a faster data delivery rate.
Cons
  • Has a steep learning curve especially for non-technical users.

CloverDX Pricing

It offers a free trial of 45 days. However, there are 3 plans: Standard, Plus, and Enhanced with a variable pricing model. Contact the Techjockey team for a detailed quotation.

  • Apatar

Apatar is a complete data integration solution that helps users to connect to any data source and transform and automate the data migration process. Apatar also offers a transformational component that converts the data into the required format and a scheduler to automate the data synchronization process.

Apatar Features

  • Data mapping and transformation
  • Data connectors for popular databases and applications
  • Masking and anonymization
  • Lineage and impact analysis
  • Quality management

Apatar Pros and Cons

Pros
  • It can also be used for scheduling the back up of data transformed.
  • You get a clear picture of all the data sets through a simple dashboard.
Cons
  • Sometimes the data quality gets degraded when it is transformed.

Apatar Pricing

It has a custom pricing plan depending on the requirements of the users.

  • Apache Kafka

Apache Kafka is an open, real-time ETL platform used by companies across the world for efficient data pipelines, data integration, and streaming analytics. Moreover, this event streaming platform helps process various streams of events with aggregation, joins, transformations, and more with a one-time processing facility.

Apache Kafka Features

  • Connect to hundreds of event sources & event sinks
  • Process streams of events in a range of programming languages
  • Deliver messages even at limited network
  • Rich online resources including guided tutorials, online training
  • Stores data change events

Apache Pros and Cons

Pros
  • This software can be easily scaled to meet the requirement of growing data sets.
  • You can process the data in batches with Apache Kafka.
Cons
  • The data quality might get compromised during compression.

Apache Kafka Pricing

Apache Kafka has a custom pricing plan depending on user requirements that you can request from their official website.

  • Hevo Data

Hevo Data is a no code data pipeline that allows you to replicate data in real-time to the destination of your choice – Firebolt, Redshift, etc. Additionally, the platform is quite intuitive and eliminates the need for technical resources to set up. It further integrates with 100+ databases, CRMs, SaaS apps, Salesforce software.

Also, with Hevo Data’s reverse ETL solution, businesses can easily transfer data from their data warehouses to any sales, marketing and business apps. The tool also converts data types from different sources to a source of your choice in order to match your target application.

Hevo Features

  • 150+ plug and play integrations
  • 15+ destinations – apps, databased & more
  • Streamline and automate organization wide data flows
  • Operate with minimal effort

Hevo Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The software can be easily configured and set up in a few clicks.
  • You can customize this ETL tool easily without any coding experience.
Cons
  • It has high CPU usage that sometimes leads to data errors.
  • You cannot create a data pipeline for a specific period of the day with Hevo Data.

Hevo Pricing

Hevo has 3 pricing plans based on user needs. It also offers a free plan that includes 50+ free connectors, unlimited models, users, among other things.

  • Logstash

Logstash is a free and open source data processing pipeline that extracts and blends data from multiple sources in real time and makes it simple for your use in preferred destinations. Also, it is a product from the Elastic company and is a part of Elasticsearch.

This ETL tool is designed to collect data from logs. Moreover, it can extract all types of data logs (web & app) as well as capturing log formats and networks from the cloud and on-premises data sources.

Logstash Features

  • Collect, store & manage data from logs
  • Transform data using Elastisearch plugin filter
  • Data filtering & data analysis
  • Transform data using filters, native codecs and output plugins

Logstash Pros and Cons

Pros
  • You can use it to transform data in any format.
  • It offers almost 200 plugins for creating data pipelines.
Cons
  • It is a bit difficult to use for people with no coding knowledge.

Logstash Pricing

Logstash comes in 4 pricing packages namely Standard, Gold, Platinum & Enterprise. However, the standard package starts from INR 7839 and gives access to security, enterprise search & support features among others. You can also request a free trial from the official website.

Benefits of Open Source ETL Tools 

There are several benefits of using free open-source ETL tools: 

  • Customizable Pipelines: Most of the ETL software examples come with this feature to customize the locations and sources of various data pipelines. This implies that you can easily integrate several data sources into a single pipeline, which enables you to manage data efficiently. 
  • Visualizes complex data: ETL tools convert complicated data into simpler forms for easy visualization via graphs, charts, tables, etc. This makes it easier to analyze data and gain valuable insights. 
  • Saves Your Valuable Time: ETL software automates and reduces the time associated with extracting, transforming, and loading data.  
  • Creates Different Application Variations: The open-source ETL software lets you create your application with customizable features.  

How to Find the Best Open Source ETL Tool

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing an open source ETL tool. Some of the most important factors include: The size, complexity, transformation requirements, update frequency, source and target database of your data. Choose the ETL tool that best fits your requirements and needs,

If you have a small amount of data that is not too complex, you may be able to get away with a normal ETL tool. However, if you have a large amount of data or your data is very complex, you will likely need to customize the open source ETL application with plugins, integrations and coding.

Types of ETL Tools

With the evolution in technology over the past few years, different types of ETL solutions have entered the market. Here are the 3 most popular types:

  • Commercial ETL Tools – This type of ETL solution is a great pick for large enterprises that have complex workflows and high volumes of data. Commercial ETL tool solutions can be on premise or available as a cloud-based service.

Example: Oracle Data Integrator, IBM DataStage

  • Open Source ETL Tools – Open source ETL tools are preferred by several companies as they provide powerful features on a budget (even free). In addition, with open-source tools, users are free to modify the source code, omit parts of the code & more. Moreover, they come with a simple and accurate UI and even allow users to add new functionalities.

Few Examples: KETL, Hevo Data

  • DIY ETL Scripts – DIY ETL Scripts involve hand-coding with complete flexibility, unlike a tool-based approach which may be limited by certain features. ETL scripts can be written in many programming languages including SQL, Python, etc. This hand coded system can also be customized to directly manage any set of data for your business as well.

Example: Airflow, Pygrametl

Limitations of Open Source ETL Tools

Although ETL tools can be a solid component for your Extract, Transform & Load pipeline, they do have a few drawbacks especially when it comes to providing support. Some of the limitations of free open source ETL tools include:

  • Some companies fail to connect a few of their apps
  • Due to a lack of robust management, data ETL tools are not capable of handling errors easily
  • Non-RDBMS connectivity of ETL tools can lead to the poor performance of data pipeline, when data is collected from a variety of RDBMS (Relational Database Management System)
  • Some ETL tools need to analyze large amounts of data, but the processing of data can happen in small batches only. This can reduce the efficiency of data pipeline

As open source ETL tools often lack experts’ support, companies that have complex transformation requirements cannot use the tool.

Related Category: Data Migration Tools | Data Mining Software | Data Management Software

Conclusion

ETL tools can help extract data from several sources and send them to data destinations. No matter how complex your data is, these tools can quickly transform and represent data. You will find multiple free ETL tools available in the market to make your ETL process simpler. As per our detailed comparison, we have found that Talend Open Studio, Singer, and Pentaho Data Integration are the best ETL software that you can consider streamlining the data extraction, transformation, and loading procedure.

  1. What is the difference between ETL and ELT tools?

    The ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) procedure is used to transform data over a secondary processing server. As compared to this, ELT (Extract, Load, and Transform) process loads the raw data straight into the required data warehouse. Once the data reaches there, you can easily transform this data whenever needed.

  2. Is SQL an ETL tool?

    SQL and ETL are the popular concepts used for managing data. SQL stands for Structured Query Language which is a programming language for querying relational databases and generally found prewritten in ETL tools.

  3. Is ETL a software or tool?

    ETL tools are software programs used for extracting, transforming, and loading data from various sources into a single database.

  4. What is a good ETL tool?

    A good ETL tool simplifies the development of data mining and warehouses. It must come with features like data masking, metadata management, dynamic data partitioning, etc.

  5. What are ETL tools in SQL?

    ETL tools in SQL are needed to ensure that all the data is easily integrated between the outside data sources and Microsoft SQL Server. You can use various Microsoft SQL ETL tools like Integrate.io, Talend, Fivetran, and Informatica PowerCenter for this purpose.

  6. Is Python an ETL tool?

    Python ETL Tools are the ETL solutions written in Python, and they support various Python libraries to extract, transform, and load data from various data sources into different databases.

  7. Is AWS an ETL tool?

    As the managed ETL service, AWS Data Pipeline enables you to state data movements and transformations across different AWS services along with on-premises resources.

  8. Is Excel an ETL tool?

    No, Excel is a spreadsheet that is used to format and organize data. It offers a Power Query module to import and format the data.

  9. Does ETL need coding?

    There are several ETL tools that require little to no coding to manage databases. For generating the data map, these tools provide user-friendly GUIs with several features. Once this data map is complete, you only need to run the ETL procedure, and the server will handle the rest.

  10. Which is the best open source ETL tool?

    The best open source ETL tool depends on the specific requirements of the users. Some of the popular tools are Talend Open Studio, Apache Camel, and Singer.

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