Snowflake’s Data Cloud is one of the popular cloud-based data platforms that provides a wide range of solutions for your businesses to work efficiently. It enables faster data processing, integration, and analytical solutions. It is not built on any “big data” software platform but is a combination of a new SQL query engine designed for clouds. Unlike earlier, businesses had to spend heavy amounts purchasing a data warehouse. However, with Snowflakes being a cloud-based platform, the requirement to buy a separate data warehouse is no longer a necessity. You do not require installing, configuring, or managing separate hardware or software for Snowflake. Its architecture and data-sharing capabilities are designed to make it easy for organizations to share data faster and more securely.
If your organization is looking for a tool that helps perform database analytics tasks faster, look no further. Snowflake’s data cloud platform is one of the best solutions and charges only on your usage periods. Get insightful data for your business using some popular Snowflake Analytics Tools. In this post, we have highlighted the top Snowflake Analytics Tools preferred and used by most organizations.
Here is our list of the Snowflake Usage Monitoring tools and software:
- Datadog Snowflake Monitor One of the powerful tools that can be integrated with Snowflake and provide more visibility and usage monitoring. It helps you to track the performance of your service and apps from different sources and turns them into insightful data.
- Tableau Snowflake Monitoring A very popular analytics platform used to track Snowflake virtual warehouses usage data. It provides user-friendly dashboards and helps you to reduce computing costs.
- New Relic Snowflake Monitoring One of the best software analytics solutions that offers very useful features including Production Monitoring, Real-Time Analytics, Cloud Migration, application development, alerting options, etc.
- Talend Relic Snowflake Monitoring Designed for an enterprise-grade environment that allows quick and seamless Snowflake integration. It allows you to assess reliable data via queried metrics, perform error checks, and discover real-time issues.
- DataSunrise Security Suite A real-time monitoring tool that tracks traffic and queries made to all Snowflake-integrated databases. It is one of the best monitoring tools for discovering fraudulent insider activities and hacker attacks.
- Snowflake Standalone An open-source and leading data processing analytical tool that offers unique solutions without requiring any third-party tool like other integrations to monitor usage, cost, performance, and data security.
- Looker Snowflake Monitoring Tool A data analytics solution specially designed for small and large companies. It allows users to customize and generate interactive visualizations using graphs and charts.
- Qlik Business A data analytics platform that offers integration features and a user-friendly dashboard. You can try the free trial or opt for business or enterprise versions as per the need.
- Microsoft PowerBI Tool Simple BI tool that can be integrated with Snowflake to compute costs, monitor usage, and display user data. It is a cloud-based tool and helps transform raw data into insightful information using various data visualization tools.
What should you look for in Snowflake Usage Monitoring Tools?
With so many analytics tools available in the market, it gets difficult for businesses to select the best one for their data warehouse. An important part of any analytical tool is to check errors, faults, traffic usage, and issue response. Apart from these, there are more factors that one must consider before making a critical decision. Choosing the appropriate data warehouse analytical tool can make or break data pipeline effectiveness.
Follow some of the factors one must consider when choosing an analytical or usage monitoring tool for Snowflake:
- Ensure that the analytical tool provides full integration support to different data warehouse solutions, including Snowflake.
- The usage monitoring tool comprises a robust feature that helps generate complex reports and real-time visualizations.
- The chosen tools are easy to implement or use.
- The features of popular usage monitoring tools support team collaboration for smooth operations.
- Do not miss the training cost, license, documentation, and other usage costs of the analytical tool.
- Look into the quality of community support and customer services provided by the leading software provider.
- Do these tools support real-time data migration?
- Ensure they support features like live monitoring.
The Best Tools for Snowflake Usage Monitoring
Check out some of the best analytics tools available in the market that can be integrated with the Snowflake and meet the business requirements. However, it is a challenging task, yet some of the below-listed tools can be advantageous for your business. Follow the comprehensive list of the best Snowflake Analytics Tools and monitor data usage.
Methodology for Selecting the Best Tools for Snowflake Usage Monitoring
Businesses find it challenging to choose the appropriate analytics tool for their data warehouse because there are so many of them on the market. Here we have listed a few methodologies you must consider when finding an appropriate tool for Snowflake Usage Monitoring:
- Check if it provides full integration support for various data warehouse technologies
- Can it generate complex reports and visualizations in real time?
- Does it support team collaborations for smooth operations?
- Make sure to check on community support and customer services
- Does it offer live monitoring features?
1. Datadog
Datadog can be integrated with Snowflake’s architecture to provide more visibility and usage monitoring. By integrating with Snowflake, users can exercise features of both solutions, understand usage by user, role, etc., and calculate cost on the basis of active usage time. It is a great choice for an enterprise-level environment if you are looking for a tool that helps monitor fluctuations in storage usage. The popular tool helps track the performance of your service and apps from different sources and turns them into insightful data. It provides a seamless workflow regardless of geographical position. Furthermore, Datadog integration allows computing credit consumption, detecting misconfigurations, and monitoring warehouse performance.
Key Features
- Datadog’s integration gives you complete access to Snowflake’s architecture
- Regardless of its structure or intended use, Datadog Snowflake Monitor provides a single, durable storage system for all of your data that can be staged and loaded in different ways
- No matter where you are geographically, it offers a seamless workflow
- Helps detect misconfigurations and track warehouse performance
- Offers full visibility into servers and applications
Who is it recommended for?
Datadog’s integration with Snowflake provides valuable insights into usage, cost analysis, and performance monitoring. It offers full visibility into both Snowflake and your service applications, helping detect misconfigurations and optimize storage usage. Datadog’s ability to turn performance data into actionable insights makes it a valuable tool for enterprise-level environments.
Who is it recommended for?
This integration is recommended for businesses that use Snowflake as their data storage solution and are looking to enhance their visibility, usage monitoring, and cost optimization efforts. Datadog’s features are particularly useful for organizations seeking to streamline data analysis, detect security threats, and receive notifications or alerts for any issues in their Snowflake environment.
One can try a 14-day free trial and handle up to five hosts. However, the free version does not support advanced features like forecasting. Also, for the Snowflake integration, you must have a Datadog agent with an Infrastructure solution.
Pros:
- Datadog provides full visibility over services, apps, and tools
- Streamline data analysis
- Supports configuration of the data filtration setup
- Provides notifications or alerts on noticing any issue
- It helps optimize the storage usage
- It helps detect security threats
- Performs cost analysis with projections
Cons:
- The free version lacks most of the vital features
2. Tableau
Tableau is another analytics platform that helps track Snowflake virtual warehouse usage data. It comprises some intuitive products that make data analysis fast and easy for users. You can also create comprehensive dashboards using the tool that aids in computing costs and monitoring performance. It helps convert raw data into valuable insights by making requests to the cloud, spreadsheets, relational databases, and more for statistical data. Later, categorize and correlate it into a comprehensive analytical report. It comprises remarkable visualization capabilities, supports thriving community and forum platforms for discussions, provides high performance, and is an easy-to-use usage monitoring tool. If you are looking for a Snowflake usage monitoring tool that can handle a large amount of data without affecting the performance, Tableau is the right choice. Also, it is mobile-friendly and supports seamless integration, user-based filters, and alerting features.
Key Features
- It includes certain user-friendly tools that enable quick and simple data analysis for users
- It assists in transforming raw data into insightful reports by sending requests to the cloud, RDBMS, and other statistical data
- Runs active online forums and communities for discussions and queries
- Offers seamless integration with other tools
- Supports user-based filters and alert functionalities
Who is it recommended for?
Tableau is a robust analytics platform that offers valuable Snowflake monitoring capabilities. It excels in turning raw data into insightful reports and dashboards, making it a suitable tool for tracking Snowflake virtual warehouses’ usage data. With features like seamless integration, user-based filters, and alerting functionalities, Tableau provides a comprehensive solution for users looking to optimize their Snowflake usage.
Who is it recommended for?
Tableau’s Snowflake monitoring capabilities are recommended for organizations that need to track and optimize their usage of Snowflake virtual warehouses. Whether you require data analysis, visualization, or alerting features, Tableau offers a user-friendly platform suitable for a wide range of business users, making it a valuable choice for
Snowflake usage monitoring.
Try a 14-day free trial or purchase a license depending on the purpose. It supports three license options – Creator license (connect data and publish custom dashboards) for $70 per month, Explorer (make changes to the existing dashboard) for $42 per month, and Viewer license (supports read-only access to the data) for $15 per month.
Pros:
- Supports Seamless integration
- Provides Notification and alerts if the cost values exceed the prediction
- Supports user-based filters
- Tableau is easy to implement
- Tableau is mobile-friendly and offers high performance
- It has a thriving community and forum platform for users
Cons:
- After-sales support services are poor
- May have security issues
- It is expensive and supports inflexible pricing
- BI Capabilities are poor
3. New Relic
Founded in 2008, New Relic has grown into one of the largest players in the industry. It provides detailed insights to users about their software performance and helps mobile developers in analyzing and improving performance. Also, the application performance monitoring capabilities help users receive an in-depth report and cost tracking. New Relic is one of the best software analytics solutions for businesses that want to analyze and develop relevant data from applications. The tool supports various features like Production Monitoring, Real-Time Analytics, Cloud Migration, application development, alerting options, etc., that help deliver software with good performance and speed. Also, it emphasizes writing codes rather than troubleshooting them.
Key Features
- Identifies warehouse performance issues and fixes them in real-time
- Keeps track of every metric, event, trace, or log at a single location for quick access
- Provides accurate real-time page load times
- Assists in server-side bug fixing
- Provides detailed insights about software performance after collecting and converting data
Why do we recommend it?
New Relic is a well-established player in the industry, offering robust software performance monitoring and analytics capabilities, including Snowflake monitoring. Its ability to identify and fix warehouse performance issues in real time, centralize metrics and logs for quick access, and provide accurate real-time page load times makes it an excellent choice for businesses looking to optimize their Snowflake usage.
Enjoy the flexible pricing with New Relic. Regardless of your pricing plan, the Snowflake usage monitoring tool helps track costs. It comes in three versions – free, standard, and Pro version. The free version supports 100GB/month of data for a single user. However, the standard version is available for five users, and the pro version has no user limit.
Who is it recommended for?
New Relic’s Snowflake monitoring capabilities are recommended for businesses of all sizes that want to analyze and improve their Snowflake usage and software performance. With flexible pricing options and a focus on providing stable and high-performance solutions, New Relic is suitable for organizations looking to optimize their software and database performance efficiently.
Pros:
- New Relic stores all the metrics, events, traces & logs at a central place
- Supports alerting option
- New Relic has a variable pricing model
- It is a trusted mobile app monitoring tool with the ability to collect, analyze, and convert data into useful insights
- Focuses on writing rather than troubleshooting
- Provides stable and high-performance
- Helps debug the server-side
- New Relic provides exact real-user page load times
- It helps detect any warehouse performance issue
Cons:
- New Relic interface is a little tricky for users
- Web page loading data is not provided in detail
- Users need to constantly lower the threshold to improve the site
- Many sections require you to upgrade to a premium account
4. Talend
Talend is a popular tool for Data Integration used for the enterprise-grade environment. Partnered with Snowflake, the tools allow quick and seamless integration. It is an open-source tool used for data processing, data management, data analysis, big data, and integration. Released in 2005, Talend has turned into a leading Big data integration platform with an inbuilt suite of tools. Using Talend, users can assess reliable data via queried metrics, perform error checks, and discover real-time issues. It also provides accurate usage considerations that can be used for creating reports, planning, and making better future decisions.
Key Features
- Easy to run error checks and find issues in real-time
- Build comprehensive dashboards for measuring and monitoring performance
- Offers seamless integration with several other tools
- Allows keeping track of cost and usage for better future decisions
- Generates quality reports that help in making informed decisions
Why do we recommend it?
Talend is a versatile data integration tool that seamlessly integrates with Snowflake, making it a valuable choice for Snowflake users. It offers features like real-time error checks, comprehensive dashboards, and the ability to track usage and costs, making it a valuable tool for optimizing Snowflake usage. Its reporting capabilities and support for data reliability monitoring further enhance its value.
It also comprises ETL-related functionalities and supports the code-generation approach. Users can easily create comprehensive dashboards for monitoring and tracking performance. Talend’s excellent reporting capabilities make it one of the top choices for analysts and developers. You can use the free trial to test the product and make a final call.
Who is it recommended for?
Talend is recommended for enterprises and organizations that require robust data integration and management in an enterprise-grade environment, especially when working with Snowflake. It’s suitable for analysts and developers looking to create comprehensive dashboards, perform real-time error checks, and generate quality reports to make informed business decisions.
Pros:
- Users can create comprehensive dashboards and detailed reports using Talend
- Supports seamless integration
- Monitors data reliability
- Talend helps track usage and costs
- It also helps in performing error checks
- Functional error occurrence is less
- Supports a larger user community
- Talend helps in making quick business decisions with quality reports
- You can deploy it anywhere
Cons:
- Does not comprise enough components for Deduplication
- Experts with a Java background are needed for complex development
5. DataSunrise
DataSunrise Security Suite provides real-time monitoring and tracks traffic and queries made to all Snowflake-integrated databases. Its robust features allow quick detection of SQL injections and any suspicious access request. Furthermore, the activity monitoring tool ensures operation transparency without adding any extra load on servers or affecting the business processes.
Key Features
- Keeps track of traffic and queries made to all Snowflake-linked databases in real-time
- Fast detection of suspicious access requests and SQL injections
- Ensures operation transparency without placing an additional burden on servers or interfering with corporate operations
- Tracks all data and provides a true picture of database operations
- If any rule is broken, the alert message function immediately tells the database security team and shares all details
Why do we recommend it?
DataSunrise Security Suite is a robust tool for real-time monitoring and security for Snowflake-integrated databases. It excels in tracking traffic and queries, detecting suspicious access requests and SQL injections, and ensuring operational transparency without impacting server performance. Its alerting system and the ability to track all instances make it a valuable choice for organizations concerned about database access security.
DataSunrise Security Suite provides accurate information and a true picture of database operations. Users can also monitor and track who all viewed the data or made an effort to make changes to the data. Thus, DataSunrise Security Suite is one of the best monitoring tools for discovering fraudulent insider activities and hacker attacks. The alert message function notifies the database security team instantly if any rule is violated, providing detailed information on who, how, when, and where they tried to violate the rules. The popular tool keeps security concerns as the top priority. However, it also supports computing costs using the provided metrics. Download the free trial from the official website if interested in a tool whose main concern is database access security.
Who is it recommended for?
DataSunrise Security Suite is recommended for organizations that prioritize database access security, especially when using Snowflake-integrated databases. It’s ideal for businesses looking to monitor and track access, detect potential threats like SQL injections, and receive real-time alerts to protect their database environments effectively.
Pros:
- Supports recording of session data
- Follows strict rules for security purposes
- Reports Database errors
- Timely monitors data query
- Users can track all instances from the Centralized Console
- The console setup is quick
- Supports Dynamic Masking
- DataSunrise provides Real-Time Alerting
Cons:
- There are as such no such drawbacks for DataSunrise Security Suite
6. Snowflake Standalone
Snowflake Standalone is a leading data processing analytical tool that offers unique solutions with no additional costs. You do not need any third-party tool like other integrations to monitor usage, cost, performance, and data security. If your organization does not have a budget to use any of the above integrations, it is best to switch to Snowflake’s database which comprises all the information. In simple terms, this database is referred to as Snowflake.
Key Features
- To track performance and usage, you don’t require any third-party tool
- It operates and supports all data variables for usage and cost-tracking
- It is versatile and works well with Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, etc.
- Offers 256-bit AES encryption, multi-factor authentication, and other security measures
- Users can manually export data to other tools
Why do we recommend it?
Snowflake Standalone is a comprehensive data processing and analytical tool that offers unique solutions without the need for additional third-party integrations. It excels in monitoring usage, cost, performance, and data security, making it a cost-effective and flexible choice for organizations that prefer a standalone solution. Snowflake Standalone is compatible with major cloud platforms and provides robust data security features.
It supports and runs all data variables for usage monitoring and tracking costs. Compatible with Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure, it is one of the best tools for the data warehouse. Also, with the help of Snowflake Standalone, users can share data externally, export, and upload it into other visualization tools as per the need. Snowflake Standalone is extremely flexible and supports no extra costs.
Who is it recommended for?
Snowflake Standalone is recommended for organizations that want a self-contained data processing and analytics solution without the need for additional integrations. It’s ideal for businesses looking for a versatile and cost-effective data warehouse tool that supports various data security measures. Snowflake Standalone is a suitable choice for organizations of all sizes seeking to monitor usage cost-effectively.
Pros:
- It supports various data security features, like multi-factor authentication, 256-bit AES encryption, and more
- The tool is compliant with data security standards
- Snowflake Standalone supports no extra cost and installation requirements
- Users can manually export data to other tools using Snowflake Standalone’s robust features
- It requires no additional third-party tool for monitoring usage
- Snowflake Standalone is compatible with Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure
- Highly flexible, scalable, and redundant
Cons:
- The public clouds supported by the tool have their own data warehouse solutions. Thus, users can miss out on the benefits of these integrated cloud ecosystems
- Snowflake Standalone can be expensive in some cases
7. Looker
Looker is a trusted data analytics solution that helps large and small companies generate real value from their data. The platform is browser-based, thus making the process of collecting, visualizing, and analyzing much simpler. Users can also customize and generate interactive visualizations using graphs and charts. Integrating Snowflake into the analytics will help gain comprehensive insights and aid in managing Snowflake instances. It allows users to get detailed information on the data usage, performance, and security metrics. A large number of companies prefer the powerful tool over the others for its robust features and easy-to-use web-based UI. Looker helps in building quick reports which are later used for making better business decisions. It is a great tool for businesses supporting marketing, sales, accounts, Operations, and Processes. Also, it comprises visualization capabilities, sharing features, and supports SQL patterns.
Key Features
- Generate customized interactive visualizations with graphs and charts
- Generates comprehensive insights to further manage Snowflake instances
- Offers an easy-to-use web-based user interface
- Supports SQL patterns
- Looker works well with all browsers and devices
Why do we recommend it?
Looker is a powerful data analytics solution that seamlessly integrates with Snowflake, making it a valuable choice for Snowflake monitoring. It excels in generating custom interactive visualizations, providing comprehensive insights into data usage, performance, and security metrics, and offering an easy-to-use web-based UI.
Another advantage of using Looker is you are not required to import charts from the spreadsheets. Instead, the tool allows analysts to generate their own graphs and charts for better reporting. Improve your business decisions using Looker as they provide real-time data insights.
Who is it recommended for?
Looker’s Snowflake monitoring capabilities are recommended for organizations seeking a user-friendly and versatile data analytics solution that integrates seamlessly with Snowflake. It’s ideal for analysts and business users looking to generate customized reports, visualize data, and make data-driven decisions without requiring SQL expertise. Looker is compatible with all browsers and devices, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Pros:
- Looker is an easy-to-deploy Snowflake usage monitoring tool
- It supports cost analysis features
- It is intuitive and offers great customization features
- It supports ib-build graphs and charts
- Supports SQL patterns
- You require no SQL expert to use the tool
- Looker is compatible with all browsers and devices
- Supports seamless integration with third-party platforms
Cons:
- Looker is not a great option for small teams
- Looker lacks flexibility
- It requires additional onboarding support for better implementation.
- At times the software runs slow and takes time to load large marketing dashboards
8. Qlik
Qlik is a data analytics platform with integration features and a user-friendly dashboard. The analytics platform helps businesses solve some of the most challenging problems and make improved decisions for growth or a better future. With the help of Qlik sense, analysts can visualize data integration processes and display detailed information highlighting errors, query speed, and more. It is a highly customizable and easy-to-install tool. Qlik Sense is a flexible tool suitable for organizations of all sizes. Also, Qlik Sense’s smart search and other robust features help generate insights for the betterment of the business.
Key Features
- Offers graphics and data discovery features
- Collaboration and data sharing
- Customizable dashboards that help track cost and usage
- Send alerts if any unauthorized user makes a login attempt
- Analysts may visualize data integration processes and highlight query speed, and other factors
Why do we recommend it?
Qlik is a robust data analytics platform that offers integration features and a user-friendly dashboard, making it a valuable choice for Snowflake monitoring. It excels in graphics and data discovery, customizable dashboards for cost and usage tracking, and features like collaboration and data sharing. Qlik’s smart search and other robust capabilities make it suitable for organizations of all sizes, providing insights for better decision-making and growth.
The Customizable dashboards also help monitor the usage, cost, projections, and credit allocations. Analysts can also track if any unauthorized user makes a login attempt and display it on the geoanalytics page for security purposes. You can try the free trial or opt for business or enterprise versions as per the need. With Qlik, you need to buy the Data Integration solution for smooth integration.
Who is it recommended for?
Qlik’s Snowflake monitoring capabilities are recommended for organizations looking for a flexible and user-friendly data analytics platform with seamless integration features. It’s ideal for analysts and business users who want to visualize data integration processes, track usage and cost, and collaborate on data sharing. Qlik’s scalable and secure platform is compatible with all devices and applications, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Pros:
- The associative model of the platform helps in simple data integration
- It supports graphics and data discovery features that help in generating meaningful insights
- Qlik is compatible with all devices and applications
- Supports features like collaboration and data sharing
- Supports Data storytelling functionality
- Users can access Drag-and-drop visualizations
- Qlik is scalable, manageable, and provides Enterprise-level security
- It supports intuitive navigation controls.
- Qlik is one of the best Auditing and reporting suites
Cons:
- In the analysis mode, more memory space is needed
- Users may face issues in loading data
- Qlik Management Console is not ideal for all situations
9. Microsoft PowerBI
PowerBI is a simple BI tool that can be integrated with Snowflake to compute costs, monitor usage, and display user data. Most companies choose Microsoft’s Power BI for analytical purposes as it is inexpensive. Also, the platform comprises robust features that make it a reliable product. It is a cloud-based BI platform that helps transform raw data into insightful information using various data visualization tools.
Key Features
- Uses data visualization techniques and assists in transforming raw data into useful information.
- Works well with Windows 10 or Windows Server
- Supports a thriving user community for suggestions and discussions
- Use Power BI to read data from numerous sources
- Offers seamless integration with other applications
Why do we recommend it?
Microsoft PowerBI is a cost-effective and user-friendly BI tool that can be seamlessly integrated with Snowflake to monitor usage, compute costs, and display user data. It excels in data visualization and transformation, making it a valuable choice for organizations looking to convert raw data into meaningful insights. PowerBI is compatible with Windows environments, supports a thriving user community for discussions and suggestions, and offers seamless integration with various applications.
With the help of this analytical tool, analysts can generate quality reports and make improved decisions for the business. Also, it is compatible with Windows 10 or Windows Server.
Who is it recommended for?
Microsoft PowerBI’s Snowflake integration capabilities are recommended for organizations seeking an affordable and accessible BI solution. It’s ideal for analysts and business users looking to generate quality reports, make data-driven decisions, and monitor usage and costs without breaking the budget. PowerBI is compatible with Windows environments and supports integration with different applications, making it suitable for a wide range of users.
Pros:
- Microsoft’s PowerBI is an inexpensive analytical tool
- It has an active user community where people can submit suggestions and feedback for improvement
- Analysts can read data from various sources using Power BI
- Power BI supports Excel Integration
- It supports the embedding of Power BI reports into web-based apps
- Power BI supports seamless integration with different applications
- It provides real-time analysis
Cons:
- The user interface of Power BI is bulky
- There is a limit to the amount of data the tool can ingest
- Users find it difficult to handle complex relationships between tables
- Sometimes the formulas created in Power BI are rigid
Conclusion
Snowflake is a cloud-native platform with excellent data-sharing capabilities and analysis features. It allows data storage and provides secure data in real time to businesses for improved decisions. Also, it offers a wide range of solutions for data integration, analysis, and data processing. In this post, we have highlighted some of the best tools that can be integrated with the Snowflake to help visualize data, compute costs, and monitor data usage. Some of these tools also aid in monitoring unauthorized login attempts and support geoanalytics. Check out some popular tools from the list that may meet your business requirements and help detect errors and monitor performance using query times. Microsoft PowerBI, New Relic, Datadog, Tableau, Talend, etc., are leading analytical tools with different pricing options and best features. Compare the pros and cons of each analytical tool from the list and make a final call.
