Azure Data Factory
Cloud-based data integration service to create, schedule, and orchestrate ETL/ELT data pipelines at scale
Airbyte
Data integration platform for ELT pipelines from any source
Move data from APIs, databases, and files to warehouses and lakes with 300+ connectors. Build custom connectors using no-code or low-code tools.
Overview
Comprehensive Data Movement for Modern Data Stacks
Airbyte is a data integration platform designed to centralize data from diverse sources into warehouses, lakes, and lakehouses. With the largest catalog of 300+ pre-built connectors spanning APIs, databases, and files, it addresses the long tail of data sources that teams need to integrate.
Flexible Connector Development
Data engineers can extend Airbyte's capabilities through a no-code Connector Builder or low-code CDK, enabling rapid customization without starting from scratch. The platform supports orchestration with popular workflow tools including Airflow, Prefect, Dagster, and Kestra, fitting seamlessly into existing data engineering workflows.
Deployment Options
Teams can choose between self-hosted deployments for full control or managed cloud hosting for operational simplicity. The platform's architecture emphasizes extensibility and community contribution, with a publicly visible roadmap and active community support through Slack, forums, and office hours. Whether consolidating SaaS application data, replicating production databases, or building change data capture pipelines, Airbyte provides the infrastructure to move data reliably at scale.
Highlights
300+ pre-built connectors for APIs, databases, warehouses, and lakes
No-code Connector Builder and low-code CDK for rapid customization
Native orchestration support for Airflow, Prefect, Dagster, and Kestra
Self-hosted or cloud deployment options with unified architecture
Pros
- Largest connector catalog in the open-source data integration space
- Extensible architecture allows custom connector development in minutes
- Active community with public roadmap and multiple support channels
- Flexible deployment models accommodate security and operational requirements
Considerations
- Connector quality and maintenance may vary across the large catalog
- Self-hosted deployments require infrastructure management and monitoring
- Learning curve for teams new to ELT paradigms and orchestration tools
- Resource requirements scale with number of connectors and data volume
Managed products teams compare with
When teams consider Airbyte, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.
Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.
Fit guide
Great for
- Data teams needing to integrate dozens of disparate data sources
- Organizations requiring custom connectors for proprietary or niche systems
- Teams already using Airflow, Prefect, or Dagster for orchestration
- Companies wanting control over data movement infrastructure
Not ideal when
- Teams needing only 1-2 standard connectors without customization
- Organizations without engineering resources for connector maintenance
- Use cases requiring real-time streaming with sub-second latency
- Small projects where managed SaaS ETL tools suffice
How teams use it
SaaS Data Consolidation
Centralize marketing, sales, and support data from multiple APIs into a single warehouse for unified analytics and reporting
Database Replication
Replicate production databases to analytics environments using change data capture without impacting operational performance
Data Lake Ingestion
Ingest raw data from files and APIs into S3 or cloud storage for downstream processing and machine learning workflows
Multi-Cloud Data Movement
Synchronize data across cloud platforms and on-premises systems to support hybrid infrastructure and disaster recovery
Tech snapshot
Python49%
Kotlin38%
Java10%
MDX1%
JavaScript1%
Shell1%
Frequently asked questions
How does Airbyte differ from traditional ETL tools?
Airbyte follows the ELT paradigm, loading raw data into destinations before transformation. It emphasizes connector extensibility and open-source community contribution rather than proprietary, closed ecosystems.
Can I build custom connectors without coding?
Yes, the no-code Connector Builder allows you to create connectors through a visual interface. For more complex requirements, the low-code CDK provides a Python framework for custom development.
What orchestration tools integrate with Airbyte?
Airbyte natively supports Airflow, Prefect, Dagster, and Kestra. You can also trigger syncs via the Airbyte API for integration with any workflow management system.
Is there a difference between self-hosted and cloud versions?
Both share the same connector catalog and core architecture. Self-hosted requires infrastructure management, while Airbyte Cloud is fully managed with simplified operations and automatic updates.
How frequently are connectors updated?
Connector maintenance varies by popularity and community contribution. Popular connectors receive regular updates, while niche connectors may require community or custom maintenance.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 20,512
- Watchers
- 20,512
- Forks
- 5,013
Repo age5 years old
Last commit2 hours ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languagePython
Last synced 53 minutes ago