# Pentaho Data Integration, StarfishETL vs IBM DataStage Comparison

| | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.7 out of 5 | 4.0 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 17 | 76 | 73 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (41.2% of reviews) | Enterprise (38.0% of reviews) | Enterprise (72.6% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | $500.00 | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Pentaho Data Integration

Pros:
- Features (2 reviews)
- API Integration (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Performance Issues (2 reviews)
- Learning Curve (1 reviews)

### StarfishETL

**Not enough data**

### IBM DataStage

Pros:
- Customization (1 reviews)
- Data Pipelining (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Complex Processes (1 reviews)
- Dependency Issues (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.7 (15 reviews) | 9.4 (68 reviews) | 8.5 (49 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.6 (15 reviews) | 8.9 (68 reviews) | 7.9 (51 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.0 (9 reviews) | 8.3 (28 reviews) | 7.3 (31 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 8.8 (27 reviews) | 7.1 (30 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.2 (12 reviews) | 9.5 (69 reviews) | 7.7 (50 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 9.7 (28 reviews) | 7.7 (30 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.2 (14 reviews) | 9.3 (68 reviews) | 7.1 (44 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Pentaho Data Integration

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### StarfishETL

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Professional Integration

Price: $500.00

Description: Monthly price paid annually
**MOST POPULAR**


Key Features:
- 2 Standard Connectors
- 1 Integration
- Designer: Included

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/starfishetl/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### IBM DataStage

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### ETL Tools

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Pentaho Data Integration** | 9.1/10 | 5 |
| **StarfishETL** | 9.5/10 | 28 |
| **IBM DataStage** | 7.9/10 | 15 |

#### Management

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Reporting** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 9.1 (26 reviews) | 7.5 (12 reviews) | 
| **Auditing** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 9.6 (26 reviews) | 7.7 (10 reviews) | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Extraction** | 9.7 (5 reviews) | 9.7 (28 reviews) | 7.7 (14 reviews) | 
| **Transformation** | 9.7 (5 reviews) | 9.5 (28 reviews) | 8.7 (14 reviews) | 
| **Loading** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 9.4 (27 reviews) | 8.5 (14 reviews) | 
| **Automation** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 9.3 (28 reviews) | 7.6 (14 reviews) | 
| **Scalability** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 9.6 (27 reviews) | 7.9 (12 reviews) | 

### Cloud Migration

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Pentaho Data Integration** | N/A | N/A |
| **StarfishETL** | 9.5/10 | 34 |
| **IBM DataStage** | N/A | N/A |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Data Migration** | Not enough data | 9.7 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Variety** | Not enough data | 9.7 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts and Logging** | Not enough data | 9.1 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Replication** | Not enough data | 9.6 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Management

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Backup and Recovery** | Not enough data | 9.8 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Integration Variety** | Not enough data | 9.1 (31 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Access and Security** | Not enough data | 9.5 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Real time Monitoring** | Not enough data | 9.4 (33 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Data Protection** | Not enough data | 9.7 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Cloud Migration

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Data Mapping

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Pentaho Data Integration** | N/A | N/A |
| **StarfishETL** | N/A | N/A |
| **IBM DataStage** | 8.5/10 | 17 |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Data visualisation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (14 reviews) | 
| **Data transformation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.2 (15 reviews) | 
| **Data migration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.2 (14 reviews) | 
| **Process various formats** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (15 reviews) | 
| **No-code functionality** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (14 reviews) | 
| **Data manipulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.0 (15 reviews) | 
| **Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (13 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (12 reviews) | 

### iPaaS

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Pentaho Data Integration** | N/A | N/A |
| **StarfishETL** | 9.5/10 | 33 |
| **IBM DataStage** | N/A | N/A |

#### Development 

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Real-Time Integration** | Not enough data | 9.2 (24 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **API Designer** | Not enough data | 9.7 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Flow Designer** | Not enough data | 9.5 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Pre-Built Connectors** | Not enough data | 9.3 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Connectors** | Not enough data | 9.4 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Reusable connectors** | Not enough data | 9.5 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multi - tenant architecture** | Not enough data | 9.5 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Management 

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Monitoring & Notification** | Not enough data | 9.3 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Routing And Orchestration** | Not enough data | 9.4 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Data Mapping** | Not enough data | 9.5 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Data Transformation** | Not enough data | 9.6 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **API Management** | Not enough data | 9.6 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Data Encryption** | Not enough data | 9.3 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Security Standards** | Not enough data | 9.3 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Communication Protocol** | Not enough data | 9.6 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 

#### Integration Options

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Data Virtualization** | Not enough data | 9.7 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Managed File Transfers** | Not enough data | 9.4 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **Big Data Processing** | Not enough data | 9.8 (20 reviews) ✓ Verified | Not enough data | 
| **EDI** | Not enough data | 9.6 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Deployment 

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hybrid** | Not enough data | 9.1 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Cloud to Cloud** | Not enough data | 9.8 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Big Data Processing and Distribution

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Pentaho Data Integration** | N/A | N/A |
| **StarfishETL** | N/A | N/A |
| **IBM DataStage** | N/A | N/A |

#### Database

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Real-Time Data Collection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Distribution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Lake** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Integrations

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hadoop Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spark Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Machine Scaling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Preparation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spark Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Processing

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Cloud Processing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Workload Processing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Big Data

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Pentaho Data Integration** | N/A | N/A |
| **StarfishETL** | N/A | N/A |
| **IBM DataStage** | N/A | N/A |

#### Building Reports

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Data Transformation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **WYSIWYG Report Design** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integration APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Mobile User Support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customization ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internationalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sandbox / Test Environments** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance and Reliability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Breadth of Partner Applications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [ETL Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/etl-tools)

**Unique to Pentaho Data Integration (5):** [Cloud Migration Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-migration), [Big Data Integration Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/big-data-integration-platforms), [On-Premise Data Integration Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/on-premise-data-integration), [Data Mapping Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/data-mapping), [Big Data Processing And Distribution Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/big-data-processing-and-distribution)

**Unique to StarfishETL (3):** [Cloud Migration Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-migration), [On-Premise Data Integration Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/on-premise-data-integration), [iPaaS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/ipaas)

**Unique to IBM DataStage (2):** [Data Mapping Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/data-mapping), [Big Data Integration Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/big-data-integration-platforms)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Pentaho Data Integration | StarfishETL | IBM DataStage | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 17.6% | 26.8% | 9.7% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 41.2% | 35.2% | 17.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 41.2% | 38.0% | 72.6% | 

### By Industry

#### Pentaho Data Integration

- **Information Technology and Services:** 35.3%
- **Telecommunications:** 11.8%
- **Banking:** 11.8%
- **Internet:** 5.9%
- **Information Services:** 5.9%
- **Import and Export:** 5.9%
- **Higher Education:** 5.9%
- **Education Management:** 5.9%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 5.9%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 5.9%

#### StarfishETL

- **Information Technology and Services:** 36.0%
- **Computer Software:** 13.3%
- **Human Resources:** 4.0%
- **Management Consulting:** 4.0%
- **Financial Services:** 4.0%
- **Consumer Services:** 4.0%
- **Real Estate:** 2.7%
- **Construction:** 2.7%
- **Telecommunications:** 2.7%
- **Education Management:** 1.3%
- **Other:** 25.3%

#### IBM DataStage

- **Banking:** 21.0%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 17.7%
- **Financial Services:** 11.3%
- **Computer Software:** 9.7%
- **Retail:** 6.5%
- **Insurance:** 6.5%
- **Education Management:** 4.8%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 4.8%
- **Chemicals:** 1.6%
- **Food & Beverages:** 1.6%
- **Other:** 14.5%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Pentaho Data Integration

- [Informatica PowerCenter](https://www.g2.com/products/informatica-powercenter/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (90 reviews)
- [AWS Glue](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-glue/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (201 reviews)
- [Databricks](https://www.g2.com/products/databricks/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (769 reviews)
- [Google Cloud BigQuery](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-bigquery/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1235 reviews)
- [Alteryx](https://www.g2.com/products/alteryx/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (809 reviews)
- [Azure Data Factory](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-data-factory/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (100 reviews)
- [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (745 reviews)
- [Apache NiFi](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-nifi/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (26 reviews)
- [Fivetran](https://www.g2.com/products/fivetran/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (795 reviews)
- [SnapLogic Intelligent Integration Platform (IIP)](https://www.g2.com/products/snaplogic-intelligent-integration-platform-iip/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (397 reviews)

### Alternatives to StarfishETL

- [IBM App Connect](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-app-connect/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (258 reviews)
- [Jitterbit](https://www.g2.com/products/jitterbit/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (604 reviews)
- [SnapLogic Intelligent Integration Platform (IIP)](https://www.g2.com/products/snaplogic-intelligent-integration-platform-iip/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (397 reviews)
- [Zapier](https://www.g2.com/products/zapier/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (2059 reviews)
- [Skyvia](https://www.g2.com/products/skyvia/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (321 reviews)
- [HubSpot Data Hub](https://www.g2.com/products/hubspot-data-hub/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (576 reviews)
- [Boomi](https://www.g2.com/products/boomi/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (505 reviews)
- [Cleo Integration Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/cleo-integration-cloud/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (550 reviews)
- [Fivetran](https://www.g2.com/products/fivetran/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (795 reviews)
- [MuleSoft Anypoint Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/mulesoft-anypoint-platform/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (744 reviews)

### Alternatives to IBM DataStage

- [AWS Glue](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-glue/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (201 reviews)
- [Azure Data Factory](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-data-factory/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (100 reviews)
- [Apache NiFi](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-nifi/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (26 reviews)
- [SnapLogic Intelligent Integration Platform (IIP)](https://www.g2.com/products/snaplogic-intelligent-integration-platform-iip/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (397 reviews)
- [Ab Initio](https://www.g2.com/products/ab-initio/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (23 reviews)
- [Informatica PowerCenter](https://www.g2.com/products/informatica-powercenter/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (90 reviews)
- [Databricks](https://www.g2.com/products/databricks/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (769 reviews)
- [Google Cloud BigQuery](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-bigquery/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1235 reviews)
- [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (745 reviews)
- [Boomi](https://www.g2.com/products/boomi/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (505 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Pentaho Data Integration

No discussions available for this product.

### StarfishETL

- Title: [Do you have pre-built maps?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/do-you-have-pre-built-maps) — 2 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Yes, we offer a wide variety of configured maps between most CRM systems. As we encounter migrations between systems that we did not have a map for, we also..."
- Title: [Do you have connectors for any marketing solutions?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/do-you-have-connectors-for-any-marketing-solutions) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Yes, we have a number of connectors and we are actively adding more. The current systems we can connect to are:
•	Act-On
•	HubSpot
•	Marketo
•	Pardot
"
- Title: [What common CRM systems are you able to connect to?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-common-crm-systems-are-you-able-to-connect-to) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "We have connectors for the following CRM systems:
•	Microsoft Dynamics CRM
•	Salesforce
•	InforCRM..."
- Title: [Do I have to pay for additional connectors?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/do-i-have-to-pay-for-additional-connectors) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "No, all the connectors are included with your license and as new connectors are added they are included in all future updates."
- Title: [Does your product work for on-premise or cloud solutions?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/does-your-product-work-for-on-premise-or-cloud-solutions) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "StarfishETL can enable integration between cloud solutions, on-premise solutions by installing it within your network, or a combination of both."

### IBM DataStage

- Title: [Can I possible to have free version of ibm Datastage in cloud based?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-i-possible-to-have-free-version-of-ibm-datastage-in-cloud-based) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hello. You can try the lite version of IBM DataStage as a service for free here - https://cloud.ibm.com/catalog/services/datastage"
- Title: [How do I use the BDFS stage in Datastage?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/30721-how-do-i-use-the-bdfs-stage-in-datastage) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Chanakyan 

Please try to post your qu estion in this community to get quick answer from experts -..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/pentaho-data-integration-vs-starfishetl-vs-ibm-datastage)