Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Apache Sqoop VS Azure Data Factory

Compare Apache Sqoop VS Azure Data Factory and see what are their differences

Apache Sqoop logo Apache Sqoop

Sqoop is a command-line interface application for transferring data between relational databases and Hadoop.

Azure Data Factory logo Azure Data Factory

Learn more about Azure Data Factory, the easiest cloud-based hybrid data integration solution at an enterprise scale. Build data factories without the need to code.
  • Apache Sqoop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-21
  • Azure Data Factory Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-12

Apache Sqoop features and specs

  • Efficient Data Transfer
    Apache Sqoop is specifically designed to facilitate the efficient transfer of bulk data between Hadoop and relational databases, leveraging parallel processing to enhance performance.
  • Seamless Integration with Hadoop Ecosystem
    Sqoop integrates seamlessly with the Hadoop ecosystem, including HDFS, Hive, and HBase, enabling users to load data directly into these systems for further processing and analysis.
  • Support for Multiple Databases
    It supports a wide range of relational databases, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server, providing flexibility in terms of source data systems.
  • Command Line Interface (CLI)
    Sqoop provides a straightforward CLI that allows users to perform data transfers through simple commands, making it accessible for users familiar with command-line operations.
  • Incremental Load Capabilities
    Sqoop supports incremental data loading, which enables the transfer of only the changed portions of data, thereby optimizing network and processing resources.

Possible disadvantages of Apache Sqoop

  • Limited Performance Tuning Options
    Although efficient for bulk data transfer, Sqoop provides limited options for performance tuning, which can be a drawback for optimizing specific use cases or large-scale data transfers.
  • Dependency on JDBC Drivers
    Sqoop relies on JDBC drivers to connect to relational databases, which can introduce additional setup complexity and potential compatibility issues.
  • Complex Error Handling
    Error handling in Sqoop is not very intuitive, and debugging issues can become complex, particularly for users who are not experienced in working with Hadoop or relational databases.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Beginners
    New users might find the learning curve for Sqoop steep due to its reliance on knowledge of both Hadoop ecosystem tools and relational database concepts.
  • Limited Functionality for Non-Hadoop Tasks
    Sqoop is highly specialized for Hadoop-related data ingestion tasks and does not offer extensive functionality for other types of ETL or data processing tasks outside the Hadoop ecosystem.

Azure Data Factory features and specs

  • Scalability
    Azure Data Factory can handle significant data volumes and allows for scaling up or down as needed, making it suitable for both small and complex data integration projects.
  • Integration
    It provides native integration with various Azure services and a wide array of connectors for different data sources, facilitating seamless data flow across platforms.
  • Cost-effective
    The pay-as-you-go pricing model enables cost management by aligning expenses with actual usage patterns, which can be beneficial for budget-conscious projects.
  • Ease of Use
    Offers a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop features, making it accessible even for users with limited coding experience.
  • Security
    Azure Data Factory includes robust security features like network isolation, access management, and encryption both in-transit and at-rest, ensuring data protection.

Possible disadvantages of Azure Data Factory

  • Complexity
    Managing large and complex data pipelines may require a steep learning curve and expertise in Azure services, which could be a hindrance for non-technical users.
  • Debugging Challenges
    Debugging tasks and identifying error sources in complex ETL processes can be cumbersome, requiring detailed monitoring and analysis.
  • Limited On-Premise Integration
    While ADF offers numerous connectors, integration with certain on-premise data stores might still require additional configuration and setup.
  • Latency Issues
    Data transfer latency can occur when dealing with extremely large datasets or when integrating multiple cloud and on-premise sources.
  • Dependency on Cloud
    As a cloud-based service, performance can be impacted by internet connectivity issues, and consistent access to the cloud is necessary for operations.

Apache Sqoop videos

Apache Sqoop Tutorial | Sqoop: Import & Export Data From MySQL To HDFS | Hadoop Training | Edureka

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Apache Sqoop Tutorial -Importing and Exporting Data
  • Review - 15 Apache Sqoop - Sqoop Import - Incremental loads

Azure Data Factory videos

Azure Data Factory Tutorial | Introduction to ETL in Azure

More videos:

  • Review - Use Azure Data Factory to copy and transform data
  • Review - Pass summit 2019: Head to Head, SSIS Versus Azure Data Factory

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Apache Sqoop and Azure Data Factory)
Data Integration
32 32%
68% 68
ETL
32 32%
68% 68
Analytics
35 35%
65% 65
Web Service Automation
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Apache Sqoop and Azure Data Factory. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Apache Sqoop and Azure Data Factory

Apache Sqoop Reviews

We have no reviews of Apache Sqoop yet.
Be the first one to post

Azure Data Factory Reviews

Best ETL Tools: A Curated List
Azure Data Factory uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model based on several factors, including the number of activities performed, the duration of integration runtime hours, and data movement volumes. This flexible pricing allows for scaling based on workload but can lead to complex cost structures for larger or more complex data integration projects.
Source: estuary.dev
15+ Best Cloud ETL Tools
Azure Data Factory is a fully managed, serverless data integration service by Azure Cloud. You can easily connect to more than 90 built-in data sources without any added cost, allowing for efficient data integration at an enterprise level. Azure's visual platform lets you create ETL and ELT processes without having to write any code.
Source: estuary.dev
Top 8 Apache Airflow Alternatives in 2024
While Apache Airflow focuses on creating tasks and building dependencies between them for workflow automation, Azure Data Factory is suitable for integration tasks. It would be a perfect fit for the construction of the ETL and ELT pipelines for data migration and integration across platforms.
Source: blog.skyvia.com
A List of The 16 Best ETL Tools And Why To Choose Them
Azure Data Factory is a cloud-based ETL service offered by Microsoft used to create workflows that move and transform data at scale.
Top Big Data Tools For 2021
Azure Data Factory is a cloud solution that enables you to integrate data between multiple relational and non-relational sources, transforming it according to your objectives and requirements.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Azure Data Factory should be more popular than Apache Sqoop. It has been mentiond 4 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Apache Sqoop mentions (2)

  • do i need to learn java to write commands in sqoop ?
    I had never heard of Sqoop and looking at its page sqoop.apache.org, it seems to be legacy. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Jinja2 not formatting my text correctly. Any advice?
    ListItem(name='Apache Sqoop', website='https://sqoop.apache.org/', category='Data Transfer Tools', short_description='Sqoop is a command-line interface application for transferring data between relational databases and Hadoop. The Apache Sqoop project was retired in June 2021 and moved to the Apache Attic.'),. Source: over 3 years ago

Azure Data Factory mentions (4)

  • Choosing the right, real-time, Postgres CDC platform
    The major infrastructure providers offer CDC products that work within their ecosystem. Tools like AWS DMS, GCP Datastream, and Azure Data Factory can be configured to stream changes from Postgres to other infrastructure. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • (Recommend) Fun Open Source Tool for Pushing Data Around
    You might want to look at Azure Data Factory https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/data-factory/ to extend SSIS EDIT: Yes, I missed the "open source" part :). Source: about 3 years ago
  • Deploying Azure Data Factory using Bicep
    I'm also planning to do more content with Azure Data Factory, so I'd thought it be good to make a video combining the two. - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago
  • Class construction help
    Or, if oyu are using azure then azure data factory https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/data-factory/. Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Apache Sqoop and Azure Data Factory, you can also consider the following products

Talend Big Data Platform - Talend Big Data Platform is a data integration and data quality platform built on Spark for cloud and on-premises.

Workato - Experts agree - we're the leader. Forrester Research names Workato a Leader in iPaaS for Dynamic Integration. Get the report. Gartner recognizes Workato as a “Cool Vendor in Social Software and Collaboration”.

Apache NiFi - An easy to use, powerful, and reliable system to process and distribute data.

DataTap - Adverity is the best data intelligence software for data-driven decision making. Connect to all your sources and harmonize the data across all channels.

WANdisco Fusion Platform - WANdisco Fusion is a data replication product for Hadoop.

Xplenty - Xplenty is the #1 SecurETL - allowing you to build low-code data pipelines on the most secure and flexible data transformation platform. No longer worry about manual data transformations. Start your free 14-day trial now.