Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics and Azure Data Factory compete in the cloud-based analytics and ETL space. Synapse Analytics appears to have the upper hand in handling complex data warehousing tasks due to its strong analytical features and integration capabilities.
Features: Synapse Analytics is known for its ease of administration, scalability, and integration with Power BI, making it effective for managing large data warehouses. It uses Massively Parallel Processing (MPP) architecture for improved performance. Azure Data Factory is noted for its simplicity in creating ETL pipelines and offers drag-and-drop interface and workflow automation, making it a preferred choice for data transformation tasks.
Room for Improvement: Synapse Analytics could improve by enhancing its integration with external services, and addressing issues like query caching and cloud migration tools. Azure Data Factory should work on pricing transparency, integration with third-party systems like SAP, and better UI features for data flow monitoring.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both solutions are mainly utilized in Public Cloud environments, offering flexibility. Synapse Analytics might require a more complex setup due to its vast features, while Azure Data Factory is easier to deploy for ETL tasks. Azure Data Factory has more positive feedback on support responsiveness.
Pricing and ROI: Both operate on pay-as-you-go models which can challenge cost predictability. Synapse Analytics may become costly due to broad capabilities, whereas Azure Data Factory is considered cost-effective for simpler tasks. Both offer positive ROI; Synapse saves on transitioning from hardware-based solutions, while Data Factory is competitively priced among ETL tools.
The technical support from Microsoft is rated an eight out of ten.
The technical support is responsive and helpful
The technical support for Azure Data Factory is generally acceptable.
They are slow to respond and not very knowledgeable.
Azure Data Factory is highly scalable.
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics is scalable, offering numerous opportunities for scalability.
The solution has a high level of stability, roughly a nine out of ten.
I find the service stable as I have not encountered many issues.
Incorporating more dedicated API sources to specific services like HubSpot CRM or Salesforce would be beneficial.
Sometimes, the compute fails to process data if there is a heavy load suddenly, and it doesn't scale up automatically.
There is a problem with the integration with third-party solutions, particularly with SAP.
There is a need for more expertise among the support team to guide us effectively.
The pricing is cost-effective.
It is considered cost-effective.
It connects to different sources out-of-the-box, making integration much easier.
The interface of Azure Data Factory is very usable with a more interactive visual experience, making it easier for people who are not as experienced in coding to work with.
I find the most valuable feature in Azure Data Factory to be its ability to handle large datasets.
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics offers significant visibility, which helps us understand our usage more clearly.
Azure Data Factory efficiently manages and integrates data from various sources, enabling seamless movement and transformation across platforms. Its valuable features include seamless integration with Azure services, handling large data volumes, flexible transformation, user-friendly interface, extensive connectors, and scalability. Users have experienced improved team performance, workflow simplification, enhanced collaboration, streamlined processes, and boosted productivity.
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics is an end-to-end analytics solution that successfully combines analytical services to merge big data analytics and enterprise data warehouses into a single unified platform. The solution can run intelligent distributed queries among nodes, and provides the ability to query both relational and non-relational data.
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics is built with these 4 components:
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics Features
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics has many valuable key features, including:
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics Benefits
Some of the benefits of using Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics include:
Reviews from Real Users
Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics users who are currently using the solution.
PeerSpot user Jael S., who is an Information Architect at Systems Analysis & Design Engineering, comments on her experience using the product, saying that it is “Scalable, intuitive, facilitates compliance and keeps your data secure”. She also says "We also like governance. It looks at what the requirements are for the company to identify the best way to ensure compliance is met when you move to the cloud."
Michel T., CHTO at Timp-iT, mentions that "the features most valuable are the simplicity, how easy it is to create a dashboard from different information systems."
A Senior Teradata Consultant at a tech services company says, "Microsoft provides both the platform and the data center, so you don't have to look for a cloud vendor. It saves you from having to deal with two vendors for the same task."
We monitor all Cloud Data Warehouse reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.