Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Datawaves VS DECODE DATA

Compare Datawaves VS DECODE DATA and see what are their differences

Datawaves logo Datawaves

Add analytics to anything

DECODE DATA logo DECODE DATA

Raw GA4 data is optimized for storage not analysis or transformation. Our decoder transforms & enhances your data to make it more useful in just one step.
  • Datawaves Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-03
  • DECODE DATA Before /After
    Before /After //
    2026-08-06
  • DECODE DATA Data flow
    Data flow //
    2026-08-06
  • DECODE DATA GA4 Full
    GA4 Full //
    2026-08-06
  • DECODE DATA Decode Data
    Decode Data //
    2026-08-06

Decode GA4 is a BigQuery-native data transformation utility built for teams working with the Google Analytics 4 BigQuery export. GA4 writes event data into deeply nested RECORD and ARRAY structures. Reading a single field such as pagelocation or pagetitle requires a correlated UNNEST subquery, repeated for every field an analyst needs, on a wildcard table that scans every partition. Decode GA4 does that transformation once, properly, and exposes the result as direct columns. The same query becomes simple dot-notation SQL against one predictable table per property.

It is a connector, not a platform. Decode GA4 is subscribed through Google Cloud Marketplace and delivered as a linked dataset via BigQuery Analytics Hub, so it deploys into your existing Google Cloud project and runs on your own BigQuery compute. Your data never leaves your project, there is no egress, and your existing IAM, security and data residency controls still apply.

Processing is metadata-driven and incremental. Each date partition is processed exactly once unless GA4 modifies it upstream, in which case the affected partitions are detected and reprocessed automatically. When GA4 adds new event parameters the output adapts without a full rebuild, so downstream dbt, Dataform and SQLMesh models keep working. Transformed data can be written as compressed Parquet in Cloud Storage and read through external tables, which cuts storage cost and enables export to AWS S3 or Azure Blob Storage.

Pricing is usage-based through Google Cloud Marketplace, from $50 per GiB for the first GiB down to $0.50 per GiB above 500 GiB. There is no subscription and no monthly minimum. Typical cost is $1.50 to $8 a month for sites under 10,000 monthly sessions, billed on your existing Google Cloud invoice.

DECODE DATA

Release Date
2024 April
Startup details
Country
United Kingdom
City
London
Founder(s)
Jim Barlow
Employees
1 - 9

Datawaves features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Datawaves offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users of all levels to navigate and utilize its features.
  • Real-Time Data Processing
    The platform allows for real-time data processing and analysis, enabling businesses to make quick and informed decisions based on current data.
  • Customizable Dashboards
    Datawaves provides customizable dashboards that allow users to tailor the data presentation according to their specific needs, enhancing user experience and productivity.
  • Scalability
    The platform is highly scalable, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.

Possible disadvantages of Datawaves

  • Cost
    For some businesses, the cost of using Datawaves might be a concern, especially for smaller companies or startups with limited budgets.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, there might be a learning curve for users who are not familiar with data analysis tools, requiring additional training and resources.
  • Integration Limitations
    Some users have reported limitations when integrating Datawaves with certain third-party applications, which could affect workflow efficiency.
  • Customer Support
    While customer support is generally available, response times and the availability of resources might be lacking during peak times or with complex issues.

DECODE DATA features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Datawaves and DECODE DATA)
Analytics
100 100%
0% 0
Big Data
0 0%
100% 100
Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
BigQuery
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Datawaves and DECODE DATA, you can also consider the following products

Fathom Analytics - Simple, trustworthy website analytics (finally)

DataBackfill - Backfill your historical GA4 data to BigQuery

66Analytics - Self-hosted analytics, heatmaps & session recordings.

GA4 Auditor - Google Analytics 4 Audit Tool

Simple Analytics - The privacy-first Google Analytics alternative located in Europe.

GA4 SQL - Generate GA4 BigQuery Queries Without SQL Knowledge