Best data extraction tools to speed up your work

Data has become an integral part of existence which is not just limited to storage but also involved in analysis, interpretation, and decision making.  

Data extraction is much more than just importing or exporting data. It takes lots of effort and time for both technical as well as non-technical professionals to harvest data from different data sources.  

Data extraction is an art as well as a science since it can provide you with different results based on the approach used. The invention of data extraction tools makes this process much easier by automating the selection and retrieval of specific information.  

Benefits of data extraction tools 

There are many benefits of using data extraction tools. Some of the most notable ones are: 

1. Increased efficiency  

Data extraction tools automate the selection and retrieval of specific information, which speeds up the process significantly. 

2. Accurate results  

When you extract data manually, there is always a risk of human error. But, with the help of data extraction tools, you can get accurate and consistent results.  

3. Reduced costs  

Automated data extraction tools are cheaper and more efficient than manual extraction methods. 

4. Time-saving  

Data extraction tools make the process faster and easier. You can get the required data in minutes or hours, depending on the size and complexity of the data source. The time saved by using data extraction tools can be put to better use in other areas of your business. 

5. Enhanced productivity  

By automating the data extraction process, you can free up your employees' time to focus on more critical tasks. 

What is data extraction?   

Data extraction is the process of obtaining specific information from a larger set of data for further data processing and analysis to gain valuable insights. It involves extracting data from sources such as documents, emails, databases, and websites so that it can be used for analysis, reporting, or other purposes.  

There are many tools used in the data extraction process depending on the type of data source and its purpose, but primarily these tools work as a bridge between two or more databases to extract the required information.  

For example, you need a bank transactions record for some research project. To get this data, you need to extract it from the bank's database. You can use a data extraction tool for this purpose to extract required data from the bank's database and provide it to you in a formatted way. 

Data extraction process 

The data extraction process usually starts with identifying the source of data and understanding its structure. Once this is done, you can use a tool to extract the data from the source. The data can be selected based on certain criteria, or it can be all the data from the source. 

The extracted data is then cleansed and transformed into a format that is suitable for the target application. This is known as the ETL process (Extract, Transform, Load) and data extraction is the first phase. Once the data is ready, it can be used for various purposes like analysis, reporting, decision making, and more. 

Types of data extraction   

There are three main types of data extraction:  

1. Structured extraction  

This type of extraction is used to extract data from structured data sources. The data is organized in a specific format and can be easily extracted using the right data extraction tools.  

2. Semi-structured extraction  

This type of extraction is used to extract data from semi-structured data sources. The data is not organized in a specific format, but it can still be extracted using the right tools.  

3. Unstructured extraction   

This type of extraction is used to extract data from unstructured data sources. The data is not organized and cannot be easily extracted using the right tools.  

So, these are the three main types of data extraction, each of which has its own benefits and drawbacks. If you need to extract data from a specific type of data source, then you should use the appropriate type of extraction.  

Data extraction methods 

There are three main methods of data extraction: manual, automated, and hybrid. 

1. Manual extraction 

This is the oldest and most common method of data extraction. It involves manually extracting data from a source using a tool like a text editor or spreadsheet. This method is slow and error-prone, so it is not recommended for large datasets. 

2. Automatic extraction 

This method uses a tool to automatically extract data from a source. It is faster and more accurate than manual extraction, but it can be expensive and difficult to set up. 

3. Hybrid extraction 

This method uses a combination of manual and automatic extraction methods to get the best of both worlds. It is fast, accurate, and easy to set up, but it can be expensive. 

Categories of data extraction tools  

There are many different types of data extraction tools, and they can be divided into the following categories:  

1. Desktop extraction tools 

These tools are installed on your computer and used to extract data from a specific source. They are easy to use but can be expensive. 

2. Cloud-based extraction tools 

These tools are hosted in the cloud and used to extract data from a specific source. They are easy to use and affordable, but they can be slow and unreliable. 

3. Server-based extraction tools 

These tools are installed on a server and used to extract data from a specific source. They are fast and reliable, but they can be expensive and difficult to set up. 

4. Custom extraction tools 

These tools are designed specifically for a particular data source or task and are not available to the general public. They are usually fast and accurate, but they can be expensive and difficult to set up. 

How to choose a data extraction tool   

There are many different data extraction tools available on the market, but not all of them are equally good. So, how do you choose the right tool for your needs? Here are some tips:  

1. Evaluate your needs: What type of data do you need to extract? What format is the data in? What are the specific needs and requirements of your business or project?  

2. Consider your budget: How much can you afford to spend on a data extraction tool? Keep in mind that not all tools are equally expensive. You can find good tools at reasonable prices if you shop around.  

3. Evaluate the ease of use: How easy is the tool to use? Can you easily extract the data you need using the tool? Is the tool user-friendly?  

4. Evaluate reliability: How accurate and reliable is the tool? Does it produce consistent results?  

5. Evaluate the features: What type of features does the tool offer? Does it have all the features you need?  

6. Evaluate the support: How good is the support offered by the tool? Is there a good help system in place? Is there a good customer support system?  

7. Evaluate the price: How much does the tool cost? Is it affordable?  

8. Compare different tools: What are the pros and cons of each tool? Which tool is best for your needs?  

9. Read reviews: What are the experiences of other users? Are they happy with the tool? Is the tool reliable and accurate?  

10. Make a decision: After evaluating all the different options, which tool do you think is best for your needs?  

Best data extraction tools 

There are many different data extraction tools available on the market, but not all of them are equally good. So, which tool is the best for your needs? Without further ado, let's check out the list of some of the best data extraction tools available on the market. 

Fivetran 

Fivetran's technology allows data analysts to focus on insights rather than engineering, making it the smart choice for any organization looking at ingesting large volumes of information into their warehouse.  

Fivetran offers quick setup with no maintenance needed after installation; connectors deployed in minutes and source change detection within seconds - all without slowing down your analytics process or preventing you from getting those important numbers out quickly when they need them. 

Pros: 

• Near real time data replication 

• Simplified ETL from a wide range of data sources 

• Stable and painless data pipeline 

• Granular control over what parts of the data source is loaded 

Cons: 

• View based ingestion from RDBMS 

• Detailed logging 

• No API supports 

Bright Data 

Bright Data makes it easy for businesses to access and utilize public data. This tool unlocks any website, collects and structures all of its information, no matter big or small-scale collections. 

With reliable and structured web data, Bright Data allows businesses to create intelligent data-driven insights in real-time. Moreover, the data extracted is seamlessly integrated and delivered into your existing systems. 

Pros: 

• Great customer support 

• Top-notch web un-blocker service 

• Stability and high quality of proxy servers 

Cons: 

• No free/trial periods 

• IPs whitelisting 

Hevo Data 

Built for modern ETL, ELT, and reverse ETL needs, Hevo Data is the new way to streamline and automate your organization's data flows. Bi-directional platforms like Hevo's make it easy for the data teams to have access to these powerful tools that save hours each week on engineering time plus 10x faster reporting, analytics and decision making. 

Pros: 

• Free trials available 

• Building of automated pipelines 

• Models updates in near real-time 

• Flattening of nested data 

Cons: 

• Automatic updates required from external sources 

• Require more features for datasets to ease the work 

Parsehub 

ParseHub is a great tool for scraping any site with little effort. All you need to do is open up your browser and click the data you would like to extract, then wait seconds before getting all that information ready. You can use it with JavaScript and Ajax or infinite scrolling sites that restrict content, all in just one click. 

Pros: 

• Free version available 

• Best for web scraping, saving time 

• Intuitive user interface 

• Top-class tutorials and documentation 

• No coding experience required 

Cons: 

• Standard functions cannot get around many anti-scraping measures 

• Troubleshooting is not easy for large projects 

Import.io 

Import.io tool is a popular tool for extracting data from web pages with ease and speed while also providing visualization tools for reporting purposes - all without any programming skills required.  

This makes it perfect not just in finance but across many industries where analyzing large volumes of information would otherwise be difficult or time-consuming if done by hand.  

Pros: 

• Scrapes specific parts of webpages 

• Crawls pages and scrapes based on patterns you specify via examples 

• Very effective and accurate when it comes to scraping data of large URL lists 

Cons: 

• Free version is not available 

Octoparse 

Octoparse is a tool that makes it easy to scrape websites without any coding knowledge. In just three simple steps, you can extract data from any website and save it in an easily digestible format. 

In addition, Octoparse allows you to scrape any website without being blocked by automatic IP rotation. It has many advanced features, including a 24/7 cloud platform and scheduler for scraping and download options such as CSV or Excel file formats, which can be saved directly into your database once extracted from the web page. 

Pros: 

• There’s a free plan to get started 

• Helpful support team 

• Intuitive user interface 

• Able to get data into spreadsheets at large 

Cons: 

• Lack of tutorial videos 

• Slight delayed in preview 

Mailparser 

Mailparser is a tool that extracts data from email messages and exports it into a CSV, Excel, or JSON file.  

It can be used to extract data from both public and private email accounts and supports all popular email formats, including Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo!, and iCloud. This makes it the perfect tool for extracting data from large volumes of email messages for analysis or reporting purposes. 

Pros: 

• Ability to parse email bodies, subjects, and attachments 

• Ability to create multiple mailboxes 

• Helpful support team 

• Simple set up, easy to edit existing flows with updates in your formats 

Cons: 

• There’s a learning curve 

• A short time of data storage 

Web Scraper 

Web Scraper is a desktop scraping tool that allows you to extract data from web pages and save it in a CSV or Excel file. It is easy to use and has many features that make it the perfect tool for extracting data from the internet. 

With Web Scraper, you can build site maps from different kinds of selectors, which further makes it possible to tailor Data Extraction for disparate structures. The Cloud-based service offers access via API or webhooks so that no matter what type your data extraction needs are, there is an option available. 

Pros: 

• Reasonable pricing, free version available 

• Easy data crawling  

• Can store data in cloud storage 

• Simple to use  

Cons: 

• UI/UX can be improved 

• Lack of export data function 

Summary table 

Check out the table below for a quick summary of the pros and cons of all the recommended data extraction tools above. 

Tool	Pros	Cons
Fivetran	Near real time data replication  Simplified ETL from a wide range of data sources  Stable and painless data pipeline  Granular control over what parts of the data source is loaded	View based ingestion from RDBMS  Detailed logging  No API supports
Bright Data	Great customer support  Top-notch web un-blocker service  Stability and high quality of proxy servers	No free/trial periods  IPs whitelisting
Hevo Data	Free trials available  Building of automated pipelines  Models updates in near real-time  Flattening of nested data	Automatic updates required from external sources  Require more features for datasets to ease the work
Parsehub	Free version available  Best for web scraping, saving time  Intuitive user interface  Top-class tutorials and documentation  No coding experience required	Standard functions cannot get around many anti-scraping measures  Troubleshooting is not easy for large projects
Import.io	Scrapes specific parts of webpages  Crawls pages and scrapes based on patterns you specify via examples  Very effective and accurate when it comes to scraping data of large URL lists	Free version is not available
Octoparse	There’s a free plan to get started  Helpful support team  Intuitive user interface  Able to get data into spreadsheets at large	Lack of tutorial videos  Slight delayed in preview
Mailparser	Ability to parse email bodies, subjects, and attachments  Ability to create multiple mailboxes  Helpful support team  Simple set up, easy to edit existing flows with updates in your formats	There’s a learning curve  A short time of data storage
Web Scraper	Reasonable pricing, free version available  Easy data crawling   Can store data in cloud storage  Simple to use	UI/UX can be improved  Lack of export data function

Wrapping up 

Data extraction is an important process that can help you get the information you need from your data sources for further processing or analysis. Data extraction tools can be a great help in obtaining accurate and timely information from different data sources. They are easy to use, reliable, and accurate. 

Additionally, data extraction tools offer a wide range of features that can meet the specific needs of businesses or organizations. So, if you need to extract data from different data sources, it is worth considering using a data extraction tool.