Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Crystal Reports VS DreamFactory

Compare Crystal Reports VS DreamFactory and see what are their differences

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Crystal Reports logo Crystal Reports

Save up to 25% when you buy or upgrade. Discover SAP Crystal Reports to take control of complex data and monitor business performance to achieve results.

DreamFactory logo DreamFactory

DreamFactory is an API management platform used to generate, secure, document, and extend APIs.
  • Crystal Reports Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21
  • DreamFactory Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-10-01

DreamFactory is an API management platform used to generate, secure, document, and extend APIs. The platform is used within a wide variety of sectors, including banking, auto manufacturing, online gaming, consulting, and government.

Perhaps best known for its API generation capabilities, the platform can generate APIs for 20 databases including MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and MongoDB, among others. Generators are also available for Excel, AWS S3, email delivery providers, and IoT.

Authentication and security is another core feature. APIs can be authenticated using API keys, Active Directory, LDAP, OAuth, OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0, and Okta. A robust yet convenient set of role-based access controls (RBACs) allow administrators to easily create highly tailored API access rules.

DreamFactory's scripting engine supports PHP, Python (version 2 and 3) and NodeJS. Developers can use the engine to create entirely scripted APIs which incorporate third-party libraries and packages. The scripting engine can also be used to extend existing endpoints, allowing developers to implement API composition, apply data masking and hiding, response transformation, and more.

Recently added features include restricted administrators, API scheduling, API auditing, and API generation connectors for Snowflake, Hadoop, and Apache Hive.

Crystal Reports features and specs

  • Versatility
    Crystal Reports can connect to multiple data sources, including databases, spreadsheets, and cloud-based applications, making it highly versatile.
  • Extensive Formatting Options
    It offers a wide range of formatting options, allowing users to create highly customized and polished reports.
  • Comprehensive Data Analysis
    Crystal Reports provides advanced data analysis features such as grouping, sorting, and filtering, which facilitate detailed and comprehensive data analysis.
  • Integration
    The tool integrates well with various applications, including SAP and Microsoft environments, enhancing its functionality within existing workflows.
  • Export Capabilities
    Crystal Reports supports diverse export options, enabling users to convert reports into different formats like PDF, Excel, and Word.

Possible disadvantages of Crystal Reports

  • Cost
    Crystal Reports is relatively costly, which could be a barrier for small businesses or individual users.
  • Learning Curve
    The software has a steep learning curve due to its complex functionalities and extensive features, making it challenging for new users.
  • Performance Issues
    Generating large reports can sometimes lead to performance issues, such as slow processing times and increased resource consumption.
  • Limited Real-Time Reporting
    Crystal Reports is not optimal for real-time reporting, which may not meet the needs of users requiring live data updates.
  • Dependency on Other Software
    The functionality of Crystal Reports often depends on the compatibility and performance of associated software, such as databases and operating systems.

DreamFactory features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    DreamFactory offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to create, manage, and deploy APIs without extensive coding skills.
  • Automatic API Generation
    Generates REST APIs for various data sources automatically, saving development time and reducing potential errors.
  • Wide Database Support
    Supports numerous databases and storage engines, including SQL, NoSQL, and file storage systems, providing great flexibility.
  • Scalability
    Can handle enterprise-level projects, ensuring that APIs can scale easily with growing business needs.
  • Security Features
    Includes robust security features like role-based access, OAuth, Single Sign-On (SSO), and API key management.
  • Cross-Platform
    Works on multiple platforms including Linux, Windows, and Mac, making it versatile for different development environments.
  • Integrations
    Supports integration with numerous third-party services and software, facilitating seamless business operations.
  • Open Source Option
    Offers an open-source version, providing more flexibility and cost savings for developers and organizations.

Possible disadvantages of DreamFactory

  • Learning Curve
    Even though it's user-friendly, there is still a learning curve involved, especially for beginners not familiar with API management.
  • Pricing
    While an open-source version is available, advanced features and enterprise-level support require a paid subscription, which can be costly.
  • Performance Overhead
    In some cases, the additional layers of abstraction can add overhead, potentially affecting performance.
  • Complexity in Advanced Use Cases
    For highly complex or custom scenarios, limitations may arise, requiring additional custom development.
  • Limited Extensions
    Compared to some competitors, the ecosystem of plugins and extensions may be less extensive.
  • Community Support
    The open-source community around DreamFactory is not as large as some other projects, which may limit peer support and available resources.
  • Concurrency Handling
    May require additional configuration or optimization to handle high concurrency situations effectively.

Analysis of Crystal Reports

Overall verdict

  • Crystal Reports is generally considered a good tool for enterprise-level reporting needs due to its robust feature set and flexibility. However, it may present a learning curve for new users and can be seen as expensive, especially for smaller companies or those not already invested in complementary SAP products. Users often praise its comprehensive reporting features but also note the need for advanced training to fully leverage its potential.

Why this product is good

  • Crystal Reports is a business intelligence application used to design and generate reports from a wide range of data sources. It is highly valued for its powerful reporting capabilities, ability to handle complex data modelling, and strong integration with other software applications like SAP, Microsoft Excel, and various databases. It provides users with extensive customization options and supports a wide array of data visualization tools, making it an effective choice for businesses that require detailed and structured reports.

Recommended for

    Crystal Reports is recommended for medium to large businesses and organizations that need detailed and custom report generation capabilities. It is particularly beneficial for companies already utilizing SAP systems or those with complex reporting requirements that can benefit from its extensive functionality. IT professionals and business analysts who need precise control over data presentation in reports are likely to find it particularly useful.

Analysis of DreamFactory

Overall verdict

  • Overall, DreamFactory is a solid choice for developers and organizations looking for a comprehensive and efficient way to manage API generation and backend development. Its ease of use, wide range of features, and support for numerous data sources make it highly recommended for those seeking to simplify their development workflow.

Why this product is good

  • DreamFactory is considered a good option for creating robust and scalable REST APIs because it automates a lot of backend processes, allowing developers to focus on their core application logic. It offers features like API management, user authentication, role-based access control, and data integration with various databases and cloud services, which streamline the development process. Additionally, DreamFactory supports multiple scripting languages, providing flexibility and customization options that suit different use cases.

Recommended for

    DreamFactory is particularly recommended for developers who need to quickly generate APIs without spending extensive time managing backend infrastructure. It is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises, independent developers, and teams that require rapid prototyping and development. Organizations looking for a solution to manage multiple data resources and integrate various third-party services can also greatly benefit from DreamFactory's capabilities.

Crystal Reports videos

Crystal Reports 101

More videos:

  • Review - SAP Crystal Reports 2016: Nine Features Every User Should Know
  • Tutorial - Crystal Report Beginner Training Tutorial 2017 - An Introduction To SAP Crystal Reports

DreamFactory videos

No DreamFactory videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Crystal Reports and DreamFactory)
Business Intelligence
100 100%
0% 0
API Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Data Dashboard
100 100%
0% 0
APIs
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Crystal Reports and DreamFactory

Crystal Reports Reviews

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DreamFactory Reviews

7 Best NoSQL APIs
DreamFactory is a great choice for developers or businesses who want to create a quick API to work with a NoSQL database. The process couldn’t be easier. Developers only need to provide the database information, and DreamFactory automatically creates a full-fledged REST API or a SOAP API.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DreamFactory seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

Crystal Reports mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Crystal Reports yet. Tracking of Crystal Reports recommendations started around Mar 2021.

DreamFactory mentions (1)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Crystal Reports and DreamFactory, you can also consider the following products

JasperReports - JasperReports Server is a stand-alone and embeddable reporting server.

Postman - The Collaboration Platform for API Development

Telerik Reporting - Deliver Reports to Any Application. Add reports to any business application. View reports on mobile devices and in web, desktop and cloud apps. Export reports to any format.

MuleSoft Anypoint Platform - Anypoint Platform is a unified, highly productive, hybrid integration platform that creates an application network of apps, data and devices with API-led connectivity.

Pentaho - Pentaho is a Business Intelligence software company that offers Pentaho Business Analytics, a suite...

AWS CloudTrail - AWS CloudTrail is a web service that records AWS API calls for your account and delivers log files to you.