Alation Data Catalog: Is it Right for Your Modern Business Needs?

Updated March 11th, 2025

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What is Alation data catalog? #

Founded in 2012 and launched in 2015, Alation Data Catalog has established itself as one of the pioneers in the data catalog space. Its initial focus was on enabling natural language search for seamless data discovery within organizations. Over time, Alation expanded its features to support data stewards and governance teams, including capabilities like compliance management and access control.

However, the data landscape is evolving rapidly with the rise of next-gen technologies like generative AI, active metadata management, data mesh, and AI copilots. This shift brings up an important question: Can Alation’s data catalog keep pace with these innovations and meet the demands of modern data governance?

Key points about Alation Data Catalog:

  • Early market entry: One of the first data catalogs, introduced in 2015.
  • Natural language search: Core feature enabling data asset discovery across organizations.
  • Expanded capabilities: Includes features for compliance management, access control, and governance.
  • Challenges in a dynamic environment: Faces increasing competition from modern technologies such as active metadata management and AI-driven solutions.

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Table of contents #

  1. What is Alation data catalog?
  2. Is Alation data catalog the best solution for your business needs?
  3. Meet Atlan: The Alation data catalog alternative for modern data environments
  4. FAQs on Alation data catalog
  5. Alation Data Catalog: Related Reads

Is Alation data catalog the best solution for your business needs? #

The rise of modern data governance tools like Atlan has challenged long-standing platforms like Alation. As businesses increasingly seek automation, flexibility, and advanced analytics to handle vast data estates, the question arises: Is Alation’s Data Catalog still the right solution, or is it time to consider alternatives that better align with your growing data needs?

Here’s what you should consider when evaluating Alation and its alternatives:

  • API Extensibility: How well does it support future data integration needs?
  • Automation Capabilities: Can you streamline your data governance tasks effortlessly?
  • User Experience: Does the platform offer flexible, customizable UI options?
  • Cost Transparency: Are you aware of all hidden costs associated with full functionality?

Architecture for API extensibility #


While Alation’s website showcases a range of pre-built connectors, detailed information on how their architecture functions and the level of control they offer is not readily available. There are also users reporting their limited API support for SaaS and data quality tools and newer data tools such as dbt.

Features and benefits #


Alation data catalog offers a range of features for managing your data assets, such as:

Data governance: This includes streamlined data management with its dedicated UI for policy creation, deployment, and enforcement. Features like automated workflows and a centralized policy center aim to simplify governance processes. However, user feedback suggests the platform has drawbacks in its governance capabilities, with reported limitations in built-in workflow capabilities.

Data lineage: Alation data catalog offers automated and column-level lineage for comprehensive data estate visibility. The catalog also provide visual lineage graphs and customization to allow easy-to-explore visualization of data assets. While this provides valuable insights, some users report limitations in complex data scenarios.

Adoption and collaboration: Alation positions its platform as a “Social Network for Data” with tools like Compose (SQL editor) and Anywhere (access platform) aimed at non-technical users. However, user feedback highlights a less-than-optimal UI/UX, with its limited customization options unable to adapt to specific organizational needs.

Integration and implementation: Alation data catalog supports over 100 pre-built connectors for various data sources. The catalog also allow custom connections through their RESTful APIs for less common data sources. However, user feedback reports that integrating Alation into existing IT infrastructure can be challenging, and unlocking its full potential may require significant time investment.

Certifications for expertise #


Data catalog certifications empower individuals and organizations to navigate their data strategy with confidence. Alation data catalog provides two options:

  1. Free Brilliance Badges for foundational knowledge
  2. Paid Certified Professional certifications for advanced skills in specific roles like data steward or implementer

These certifications showcase expertise, potentially boosting careers and enhancing data management within Alation data catalog.

Alation data catalog: Pricing for best value #


Unveiling Alation’s pricing can be a challenge, as they don’t offer upfront costs. While this reflects the variable nature of data catalog pricing, it leaves users seeking clarity.

External comparisons such as GigaOm’s analysis suggest an Alation data catalog could cost around $413,660 annually for a medium enterprise, including $198,000 for 25 contributor licenses. This estimate excludes cloud hosting fees.

While it’s not definitive, the estimate provides a rough benchmark for considering Alation’s potential cost within a larger analytics stack. Some report a complex model with additional fees for full functionality, potentially impacting costs and ROIs.

Read more: Alation Pricing: Estimate The Total Cost of Ownership

Meet Atlan: The Alation data catalog alternative for modern data environments #

While data catalogs like Alation may struggle to keep up with the evolving data landscape, Atlan offers a future-proof solution. Designed for agility and ease of use, Atlan empowers you to streamline and unlock the power of modern data governance and management.

Here’s how Atlan sets itself apart:

  • Future-ready architecture: Open architecture supports modern data sources and technologies for future-proof scalability.
  • Advanced automation: Leverage up-to-date automation features, AI-driven suggestions, and no-code integrations for effortless data management.
  • Comprehensive data visibility: Experience granular, column-level lineage that is quick to set up to track data assets all the way to the source.
  • Intuitive extensibility: Use custom logic, event-driven actions, connector building, policy enforcement, approval workflows, and reporting for readiness for mission-critical projects.
  • Flexible configurability: Get tailored UI and experiences with user personas, purposes, and flexible metadata capture.
  • Partner, not vendor approach: Get a value-aligned pricing structure, which showcases value within weeks.

From legacy to modern: Why teams moved from other vendors to Atlan

Many organizations begin their data governance journey with well-established tools like Alation, but as data needs evolve, they seek solutions that offer a more intuitive, collaborative, and modern experience. Here’s a look at why several companies made the switch to Atlan after evaluating or using traditional cataloging tools including Alation.

  • CSE Insurance, after considering Alation, found Atlan’s interface much easier to use. As one team member shared:
    "When we evaluated Alation, it had solid features for data cataloging, but once we saw Atlan’s demo, it was clear how much easier it would be to use. Atlan almost seemed to know what I needed before I even started clicking—everything was intuitive.” This seamless user experience helped CSE’s teams adopt the platform quickly, setting them up for faster success.
  • Similarly, Nelnet was drawn to Atlan’s simplicity and ease of use, crucial for both technical and non-technical teams. Their leadership noted:
    “Atlan’s intuitive UI was the biggest factor for us. Other vendors felt overly complex, trying to do too many things.”
  • Group 1001 praised Atlan’s focus on collaboration across data teams, a mission they felt was missing in other platforms. As their data leader explained:
    “Alation’s focus seemed to be on cataloging and selling Composer, their SQL editor, but Atlan went beyond that. Atlan’s vision of data collaboration between engineering, analysts, and business teams aligned perfectly with our needs.”
  • For organizations like Porto, Atlan’s user-friendly approach and faster time to value were game-changers, especially when compared to traditional data catalogs. With Atlan’s out-of-the-box integrations and seamless setup, Porto realized immediate benefits, reducing implementation time drastically.

The stories of these companies reflect a broader trend: as businesses prioritize collaboration, ease of use, and fast results, Atlan increasingly becomes the preferred solution over traditional data catalogs. Don’t let outdated tools hinder your data strategy. Upgrade to Atlan and experience the difference.

Book your personalized Atlan demo ✨ today

FAQs on Alation data catalog #

What are the key features of Alation data catalog? #


Alation offers features like natural language search for data discovery, data governance workflows, and automated data lineage. However, user feedback indicates challenges in complex data scenarios and limited workflow customization.

How does Alation compare to other modern data catalogs like Atlan? #


Alation is one of the earliest data catalogs, but tools like Atlan offer more modern features such as AI-driven suggestions, advanced automation, and better flexibility in handling diverse data sources.

What are the pricing details of Alation data catalog? #


Alation’s pricing is not readily available upfront, but external estimates suggest it can cost approximately $413,660 annually for a medium-sized enterprise. This can include hidden fees, making cost transparency a concern.

Is Alation’s API support sufficient for my growing business needs? #


While Alation offers API connectors, many users report limitations in supporting newer tools such as dbt and challenges with integrating newer data tools. Atlan, in contrast, provides broader API extensibility.

Why should I consider Atlan over Alation? #


Atlan offers advanced automation, better scalability, flexible UI configurations, and an API-first approach that makes it easier to integrate into modern data environments, making it a future-ready choice for many organizations.

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