DataGalaxy included in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Metadata Management Solutions 2025

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DataGalaxy VS Alation

Why top brands choose DataGalaxy’s SaaS-native platform for enhanced governance and cataloging efforts.

Explore the distinct methodologies of DataGalaxy and Alation when it comes to metadata management, and gain a clear overview of the business implications of each.
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4.9
4.5

    Product comparison

      DataGalaxy Alation
    Connect to legacy data stack Yes Yes
    Connect to modern data stack Yes Yes
    Multilingual Business Glossary Yes Yes
    Governance responsibility & workflows Yes Yes
    Exploratory Data Lineage Yes Yes
    Modern user interface Yes Yes
    Diagramming tool Yes Yes

    Service differentiation

      DataGalaxy Alation
    Premium service for all customers Yes Yes
    Unlimited viewer roles Yes Yes
    All-in-one solution Yes Yes
    No hidden costs Yes Yes
    Deployable on day 1 Yes Yes
    Easy to maintain Yes Yes

    Infrastructure differentiation

      DataGalaxy Alation
    Available on all Clouds Yes Yes
    On-Premise deployment Yes Yes
    Independent containerization Yes Yes
    70+ connectors Yes Yes
    Data Quality integration Yes Yes
    Uniform Resource Name Yes Yes

    Not Your Mom’s Data Catalog

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    4.9
    DataGalaxy offers a straightforward set-up process, intuitive interface, and pre-built connectors for popular data sources, simplifying data connection and cataloging.
    4.5
    However, despite the positive ratings, some reviewers have found DataGalaxy easier to use, set up, and administer when compared to Alation​
    4.9
    DataGalaxy’s Business Glossary feature bridges the gap between technical and business users by providing precise term definitions, collaborative tools for input, and seamless integration with existing systems, ensuring clear communication and consistent data understanding across all levels of an organization.
    4
    Alation Business Glossary is based on a one-size-fits-all system of articles that require development to create. The lack of UX flexibility and over customization can lead to issues with maintaining a uniform standard and cause confusion.
    4.9
    DataGalaxy offers several collaboration features (tasks, comments) for teams to work together on data-related tasks A unique web browser plug-in allows users to comment on and share data assets directly from their web browser Integrates with popular collaboration tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams
    4.3
    Alation also supports collaborative data governance by providing a shared environment for data discovery and analysis. Alation offers features like collaborative analytics, a shared SQL editor, and the ability to comment on and share queries and datasets. Alation relies on third-party tools for collaboration.
    5
    DataGalaxy offers customer support through an online help center, which includes a knowledge base, FAQs, and tutorials. DataGalaxy’s customer support team is known for being responsive and providing personalized support to customers. DataGalayx launched a portal for customers (Users Voice) to submit ideas for improvements, responding within a 2 to 3 day timeframe​.
    4.4
    Alation also provides multiple channels of support including email, phone, and a support portal for ticket submissions and knowledge base access. Alation may also offer dedicated account managers or customer success managers, depending on your plan.
    4.9
    DataGalaxy’s Cloud-native architecture allows for easy scalability with business needs. Built on microservices and containerization technologies to handle increasing workloads DataGalaxy can seamlessly adapt to the changing needs of an organization and provides consistent performance even as the data landscape expands
    4.3
    Alation can be deployed in the cloud, utilizing a cloud-native architecture. Alation supports integration with various cloud data sources and data warehouses, allowing organizations to manage and catalog their data wherever it resides. However, some additional costs might occur.
    4.9
    DataGalaxy offers flexible pricing options for their data catalog solution Provides a quote-based pricing model based on the specific needs of each organization Appears to be a considerably more affordable solution according to some customer reviews. Free readers and connectors
    4.2
    Alation’s pricing starts at $60,000 for one year. (source: AWS Marketplace). For an organization with 300 Alation users, the annual cost is $246,000, escalating in Year 2 and 3. Costs cover server subscription and vary with user count and license types: Contributors, Consumers, and Collaborators. (source: The Total Economic Impact™ Of The Alation Data Catalog)

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    Loved by our clients

    5
    “ DataGalaxy’s data catalog provides a centralized, easy-to-use platform for managing and organizing data assets, which can greatly improve efficiency and productivity for data teams ”
    Faouzi C.Data Governance Manager
    5
    “ It is a central repository for all our data. In the realm of data quality, DataGalaxy is our strategic partner. It’s like a microscope revealing hidden imperfections. With its intuitive features, we can optimize processes and manage risks proactively. Its seamless collaboration tools ensure that data quality is a collective effort. DataGalaxy isn’t just a tool; it’s the maestro of our data’s symphony. ”
    Aurelie D.Data Quality Department Manager
    4.5
    “ We were looking for a product that would allow us to visualize complex data lineages and DataGalaxy stood out not only in its UI but also in the fact that it was relatively easy to install in our cloud account and because it has APIs to manage content inside of Data Galaxy. ”
    Daniel N.Senior Manager of Data Engineering
    5
    “ Ergonomy for the end users and data community. Very easy to install and customize. Very useful for our company to deploy a data culture. DataGalaxy is very competitive regarding the price. ”
    Louis-Alban R.Data Governance Leader

    FAQ

    Is DataGalaxy a full alternative to Alation?

    Yes. DataGalaxy offers the full range of data catalog, governance, lineage, glossary, and collaboration capabilities — with a stronger focus on usability and cross-team adoption.

    Our platform is built for business and data teams alike — with a cleaner UI, guided onboarding, and intuitive search that make adoption easier across the organization.

    Yes. Our team can support you in migrating metadata, glossary terms, and lineage. We’ve helped clients transition from legacy tools with minimal disruption.

    In most cases, yes — including Snowflake, Power BI, Databricks, and more. If a connector isn’t available, we support custom integrations via API.

    DataGalaxy is designed for collaboration-first governance — with faster deployment, lower training overhead, and role-based navigation tailored for real workflows.

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