FME Platform Reviews & Product Details

Having used FME Workbench for five years, I can confidently say it has become the cornerstone of my professional work in geomatics. My journey with FME began during my final university thesis. I was immediately struck by its unique power to handle seemingly incompatible data formats. What started as a powerful tool for an academic project has since evolved into my primary, daily software now that I have grown into a Subject Matter Expert in GIS and Cartography for my company. FME is no longer just a "converter"; it is the engine driving our entire data workflow.

Its true strength lies in its unparalleled interoperability. It truly is the "Swiss Army knife" of GIS, seamlessly bridging the gap between GIS, IT, and BI systems. FME handles everything we throw at it, whether it's obscure CAD files, complex SGBD databases like PostGIS, web services, or simple flat files. Beyond just moving data, its visual ETL capabilities in the Workbench are profound. We can design, test, and implement highly complex data validation, cleansing, and enrichment routines using its vast library of Transformers. This power extends directly to automation. The ability to create a robust workspace once and then deploy it has eliminated countless hours of repetitive, manual data management. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The worst flaw of FME Workbench surely lies in its ability to always attract us even when it is simpler to do the operation manually.... Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I really like how versatile FME is. It lets me handle everything from simple data transformations to more complex automation. It supports a wide range of data sources, which makes working with spatial data much easier. Some workflows take a bit of time to get used to, but overall it’s straightforward to implement. The support team is helpful whenever I need it. I use FME frequently because of its many features, and it integrates well with other systems, which makes my work smoother. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The licensing cost has increased recently, even though some functionality can now be achieved faster using AI-generated scripts than with FME itself. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The platform is easy to understand in the basic principles but contains a lot of options you could consider to process your data with. FME Form which is the core product of Safe includes many data formats for reading and writing. Combined with the many transformers available to the user, this is a quite powerful tool for me as a GIS Specialist.

Furthermore there is an active user community which almost always has answers to the questions you have.

Beside that, because of the way the platform is designed it's not that hard to explain models you have built to other people you are cooperating with. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

There is quite some options and settings available. As a beginner I could imagine that this feels a bit overwhelming. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The UI - it's slick and satisfying to use. I like that I can create powerful processes and automations without needing to write any code at all. It integrates and supports most services and many formats. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It's a no code tool which means if there is something that can't be done there is no easy way to add the functionality. With Python or other coding languages it's possible to make exactly what you want. In saying that there is a way to write and use your own python code if you need to. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

FME is an accurate platform that works with many data formats allowing conversion from one form to other making it reliable to use at all times.

The user-interface is simple and one does not need to have coding knowledge to use it as its intuitive through a simple drop and drag feature.

FME is customizable and this offers flexibility in the usage of the platform. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

In an organization with a small budget, it can turn out to be pretty expensive scaring away potential users. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I appreciate FME Platform for being the most accessible and cutting-edge training and teaching platform available. It provides tremendous value due to its training capabilities, enabling me to stay on the cutting edge of ESRI AI and FME AI while working from home as a contractor. The platform allows seamless integration with ESRI technologies and is instrumental in advancing my skills in machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) for geoprocessing tools. The ability to access STRIGO VM labs, virtual machines, and setups alongside tutorials and live training enhances my learning experience. I'm particularly impressed with how it integrates FME Form and Flow into advanced courses, keeping me connected and advancing in areas of interest like Flow and automation. Additionally, my experience with FME Platform has been smooth, with no install problems, whether on my machine or on virtual machines for state and Federal government clients. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I wish I could access an ESRI pass or credentials to fully engage with the tutorials, as lacking an organization login limits my ability to advance a license for AI and Utility Network interoperability. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find the FME Platform incredibly beneficial due to its visual programming interface, which enhances usability by allowing users to construct more complex scripts with ease. This not only helps in handling data quality issues but also in creating replicable scripts that can be shared. The platform offers a wealth of tools and supports a wide variety of data formats, greatly enhancing its applicability and flexibility for data preparation, analysis, and ETL processes. FME Platform stands out for its user-friendly nature, which is a significant advantage for companies aiming to enable their teams to handle intricate data tasks without excessive learning curves. The transition to FME from Applications Manager was motivated by its superior security features, easier use, and broader format compatibility, which collectively offer a robust solution for our data management needs. Furthermore, the initial setup of FME Platform was very easy, underscoring its commitment to accessibility right from the start. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find FME Flow to be quite complex, which makes it inherently difficult to learn. This complexity can present challenges in navigating and understanding the software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I love using FME Platform for on-premise data integration due to its efficient ETL tools, which allow me to process complex data pipelines swiftly. Tasks that would typically require multiple people can be completed by one person in a reduced timeframe, making it a highly efficient tool. I find the visual interface extremely user-friendly, as the flowchart-like representation of data flows and ETL pipelines aligns perfectly with my visual work style, simplifying my job significantly. The platform's capability to visually present the entire process allows me to easily make adjustments. I also appreciate the platform's auditable nature, which makes it understandable even for those who aren't tech-savvy. Additionally, its spatial awareness and seamless integration with ESRI products greatly enhance its functionality, and the ease of setup with the support of a helpful customer service team is commendable. This combination of high usability and robust integration features is why I strongly recommend FME Platform to others. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I think that error handling could be better documented. When FME Platform fails, it doesn't always tell you exactly why it fails, so it takes some digging around to figure it out. AI tools can assist in decoding errors from FME quicker, but clearer documentation would greatly improve the process. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I really appreciate the ease of use of the FME Platform tools, especially the transformers, which make working with data quite intuitive and straightforward. The platform provides an excellent visualization of how data is transformed, allowing for quick verification of each step in the process. The creation of APIs stands out, particularly with the introduction of the new functionality in the 2025 version that tremendously simplified the process, making it possible to set up a complete API through FME Flow to effectively provide data and services. Additionally, the initial setup of the FME Platform is simple and intuitive, allowing for smooth integration with few obstacles. Another aspect I like is how the FME Platform processes are efficient and reliable, which reassures me knowing that the system can integrate data for critical systems without issues. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The API feature can have an improvement in the service registration processes, some information becomes difficult to read. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

With support for over 450 data formats, this tool offers impressive data interoperability. Its visual no-code interface makes it accessible, while the powerful spatial and non-spatial transformation features add significant flexibility. The automation capabilities are robust, and everything is backed by an active and supportive community. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The recent adjustments to the licensing cost, along with the move to a single edition of FME, have caught my attention. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.