Many of integration platforms do offer common features such as endpoint connectors or data governance but how do you choose the right fit for your business?
Here, we have compared Celigo vs MuleSoft, the leading data integration solutions, and also discussed an industry-leading iPaas platform for distributors.
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Celigo vs Mulesoft: What’s the main difference?
Celigo is a user-friendly, cloud-based integration platform tailored for business users, offering pre-built connectors and templates for popular applications. On the other hand, MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform is a comprehensive integration solution catering to both business and technical users, emphasizing API-led connectivity and advanced customization for larger enterprises with complex integration needs. DCKAP Integrator is designed for distributor requirements and offers pre-built connectors, advanced mapper and modifier, detailed logs, and more catering to them.
Celigo Vs MuleSoft Anypoint Platform: In-Depth iPaaS Comparison of Features, Reviews, and Pricing
Let us look at some of the key differences between the Celigo Integration Platform and the MuleSoft Anypoint Platform.
| Features/ Factors | Celigo Integration Platform | MuleSoft Anypoint Platform |
| Solution type | An enterprise-grade, cloud-native modern iPaaS solution, enabling automation and optimization of business processes | An integration and API platform for SOA (service-oriented architecture), SaaS, and APIs (application programming interface) relying on API-led connectivity |
| Hosting | U.S. data center – AWS (Amazon Web Services) East, VirginiaEU data center – Hamburg, Germany | AWS |
| Implementation/deployment | Can be deployed in both on-premise and cloud-based environments. On-premise agent establishes a connection between the iPaaS and the on-premise server application. | Can be deployed and run in any environment (cloud or on-premise) or architecture |
| Integration type | ApplicationDataB2B/EDIEvent-driven(Supports both real-time and batch integrations)Plus, provides reusable integration assets | ApplicationDataB2B/EDIEvent-driven (Supports both real-time and batch integrations)Plus, provides reusable integration assets |
| Security and compliance | EU/UK GDPR-Ready CCPA-Ready GDPRSOC-2 compliant HIPAA-Ready FERPA-Ready | ISO 27001SOC 1 & SOC 2 compliant PCI DSS compliant HIPAA compliant GDPR compliant |
| Pre-built connectors (Integration marketplace) | 200+ pre-built connectors HTTP or REST API universal adaptors (including FTP, AS2, and others) | Hundreds of prebuilt cloud connectors for enterprise applications, databases, protocols, and industry standards TemplatesAPIs |
| Custom integrations | Connector SDKPowerful integration tools for technical users to develop integrations with custom coding | MuleSDK |
| ETL capabilities (Extract, Transform, Load) | Enables reverse ETL, bringing insights back into operational applications. Plus, the Flow Builder allows flow creation and customization to transfer data from one platform to the other. | DataWeave, a powerful language for advanced data transformation and aggregation. Plus, it enables the implementation of varied connectivity patterns for ETL/ELT processes (through a batch job). |
| Error management | Utilizes Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to manage and assist in self-healing and error management | System error handlers are not configurable in MuleMessaging errors can be handled by default error handling or through flow’s built-in Error Handler component |
| Utility | Usually, small businesses or medium-sized companies | Usually, large enterprises |
| Skill level | Low code UX and workspace for developers and non-IT usersNo code integrations possible | Low code platform |
| Support | Offers customer success plans with SLA (service-level agreements) | Access to support tools, knowledge base, ideas portal, and user community support platforms |
| Pricing | Comparatively affordable price; 30-day free trial | Volume-based and feature-based pricing tier; 30-day free trial |
| Reviews (Gartner Peer Insights) | Overall: 4.7 Product capabilities: 4.7 Service & support: 4.7 Integration & deployment: 4.7 Evaluation & contracting: 4.7 | Overall: 4.4 Product capabilities: 4.6 Service & support: 4.5 Integration & deployment: 4.6 Evaluation & contracting: 4.3 |
Celigo Integration Platform: Overview
Celigo iPaaS is an infinitely scalable cloud-based integration software. It is equipped with enterprise-grade security and governance that supports a variety of integrations including, B2B, data, applications, etc.
It is the only iPaaS with a Business Process Automation Framework—Third-party developers and product teams can collect a set of flows that automate a process and then package it as business process automation. Additionally, it follows a federated approach to integrations. This means not only IT teams have complete control over integrations, but business users can also manage application integration, and automate and modify the processes.
Pros
Let us go over some of the unique advantages of Celigo iPaaS.
- Limitless concurrent integrations, data flows, and transactions
- Pre-built automation and built-in best practices
- An extensive number of pre-built connectors make it easy to integrate with popular business applications
- Simple, modern, and intuitive user interface with an easy-to-navigate dashboard for non-technical users
- Access controls for authorized members to develop or modify integrations
- Non-technical users can manage day-to-day operations and maintenance
- Capability to transform complex field mappings between multiple platforms into simple flows
- Responsive and supportive customer service
Cons
- Complex cost structure for adding new apps that require additional endpoints/flows
- Implementation and ongoing costs may not be affordable for some businesses, especially those migrating from basic setups.
- No defined deployment process
- Inflexibility in programming when it comes to looping, branching, etc.
- There is a bit of a learning curve that involves using Celigo University that can be cumbersome for many users
- Reliance on third-party connectors for integrating with other applications, and any other problems or downtime associated with those connectors could impact the reliability of Celigo’s integrations
- Technical documentation can be inadequate when it comes to custom integration.
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform: Overview
MuleSoft Anypoint Platform is a unified platform for iPaaS and universal API management, relying on the API-led approach to connectivity. APIs and microservices form the primary building blocks of API-led connectivity. With MuleSoft, users can also build a library of integration assets that can be reused to expedite delivery speed
Salesforce, a global leader in CRM completed the acquisition of MuleSoft in 2018, following which MuleSoft became a part of Salesforce Integration Cloud.
Pros
Let us go over some of the benefits of MuleSoft Anypoint Platform.
- It comes with out-of-the-box connectors, integration templates, drag-and-drop design environment. Plus, you can integrate with common open-source development tools, such as Maven, Git, and Jenkins.
- Unique ability to manage, secure, and scale all APIs from a single location. Plus, monitor APIs and integrations in real-time.
- Real-time analytics on integration performance to derive useful insights
- Data transformation runtime logs monitoring is quite effective
- Enables creation of APIs in multiple protocols (OAS, RAML, or AsyncAPI in a guided web interface)
- Delivers full lifecycle API management and iPaaS on a single runtime
- Allows creation of own reusable connectors using a built-in SDK and also automatically converts any REST API design spec into a connector
- Supports and educates developers with comprehensive documentation, training, and a library of templates, examples, and connectors
Cons
- The pricing can be costly for some businesses. Plus, licensing and renewal fees can be high.
- Steep learning curve as a plethora of technical features and capabilities and user interface can be overwhelming for non-IT users
- Access management can be complex
- Unavailability of mobile application and offline access
- Anypoint Platform APIs lack the auto-scaling feature
- Error handling gets complicated
- Inability to fetch the metadata database, which may complicate mapping
- Doesn’t allow multiple users to edit the same API spec at the same time which sometimes can be time-consuming
Note: Some other Mulesoft iPaaS alternatives include Dell Boomi, Harmony by Jitterbit, Zapier, Workato, Informatica, SAP Integration Suite, Cleo Integration Cloud, IBM API Connect, and IBM App Connect.
Why Choose DCKAP Integrator: The Best Alternative for Distributors
DCKAP Integrator is a plug-and-play enterprise integration platform that is delivered on the cloud. It can connect any number and type of business applications including ERP, eCommerce, CRM, EDI, databases, and others. It has been specifically designed to meet the existing and emerging needs of distributors, helping control the data flow between applications based on evolving business requirements.
Here are some of the unique highlights of DCKAP Integrator that make it the market leader in integration platforms for distributors.
- A robust and flexible system that enables development teams to run integrations effectively, eliminating manual errors and downtime
- Scalability
- Seamless integration over the cloud eliminates the need to use different environments to deploy your technology
- Simple, intuitive, and versatile interface, making it highly user-friendly
- Drag-and-drop functionality and pre-built connectors to accelerate project development
- Custom APIs to integrate multiple systems
- Given the source and destination server details, you can easily define mapping and modifiers for data fields. Plus, you get complete control over any custom-field mapping.
- Schedule the frequency of integrations, and disable or enable automation as per your need
Know what DCKAP Integrator can do for your business:
Your Quick Guide to iPaaS
According to Gartner, iPaaS is defined as a suite of cloud services that support the development, execution, and governance of integration flows connecting any number of on-premise or cloud-based applications, processes, data points, or services. This can be within a single enterprise or across multiple organizations or environments.
Usually, an iPaaS platform offers the following to support application development and integration flow:
- Pre-built connectors
- Maps and transformations
- Business rules
Some iPaaS vendors may also provide unique functionalities such as integration with social media platforms, mobile support, business data management, and custom application development tools to modernize legacy applications.
Top Reasons You Need a Cloud Integration Platform
Conventional middleware software and custom code integrations are resource and time intensive, and almost impractical for large enterprises. iPaas systems make it easier and cost-effective for businesses to seamlessly connect different systems, various sources, and applications, and that too sans maintenance troubles, overburdened IT teams, and infrastructure management. However, there is more to it.
Hyperautomation
As your business grows, it becomes critical to automate as many It and business processes as possible to achieve efficiency. iPaaS platforms support enterprise-wide integration that in turn drives hyperautomation initiatives.
Ease of use
Since iPaaS is low code, you don’t need to rely on IT specialists to build integrations. Business users can utilize drag-and-drop functionality, pre-built connectors, recipes, adapters, templates, etc.
Quick time to value
With rapid integrations, you can automate key business processes—be it order to cash, quote to cash, payout reconciliation, or employee onboarding—helping you realize quick ROI.
Centralized access
iPaaS software makes it easier to create, deploy, and manage integrations through a single, unified location, ensuring easy accessibility.
Security and compliance
With iPaaS’ security capabilities, businesses can avoid any potential attacks, threats, or breaches. Additionally, it enables businesses to comply with industry regulations and standards.
Scalability
Regardless of your growth trajectory or IT environment complexity, you can easily scale your business functions with iPaaS. As you add more applications or data sources, you can continue to make limitless connections without additional resources or infrastructure.
Enhanced productivity
iPaaS helps eliminate data silos, so that your teams can collaborate more efficiently, improving productivity.
Cost savings
An iPaas solution reduces the costs associated with custom code integrations as well as the maintenance and management of integrations, regardless of the applications and systems added to your existing tech stack.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Integration Platform for Your Business
Here are some key considerations when choosing the best solution for your business.
- How much is the deployment time and what is the learning curve for your teams?
- In terms of effort, how much burden will it cut down for your teams?
- Does it provide low-code or no-code integration tools, templates, etc. to rescue time for new integrations?
- What different types of data formats, applications, systems, environments, or scenarios does it support?
- Does it exchange information in real-time? Is there any downtime for future updates?
- Does it offer enterprise-grade tools to ensure the safety and compliance of your data and operations?
- How is the pricing—subscription-based? How flexible and customizable are the plans?
- How much are you saving in terms of reducing infrastructure costs, enhancing productivity, or getting rid of legacy system expenses?
- How are the customer service experience and reviews?
Final Words
To remain competitive, companies are increasingly relying on modern iPaaS solutions to scale performance, and improve productivity, enhance customer experience. However, with every iPaas vendor offering common features and competitive pricing, making a choice can be difficult with so many options. If you are a distributor your search for scalable, smart, and affordable iPaaS ends with DCKAP Integrator!
To know more about our integration solution and discuss your business needs, get in touch with us today.
