Both Data Factory and Synapse analytics (Previously known as SQL warehouse) are popular for ELT operations. but its always a challenge to understand what to select based on your need.
Below is the list of features supported in Azure Data Factory vs Azure Synapses Analytics :
| Category | Feature | Azure Data Factory | Azure Synapse Analytics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integration Runtime | Support for Cross-region Integration Runtime (Data Flows) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Integration Runtime Sharing | ✓ Can be shared across different data factories | ✗ | |
| Pipelines Activities | Support for Power Query Activity | ✓ | ✗ |
| Support for global parameters | ✓ | ✗ | |
| Template Gallery and Knowledge center | Solution Templates | ✓ Azure Data Factory Template Gallery | ✓ Synapse Workspace Knowledge center |
| GIT Repository Integration | GIT Integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monitoring | Monitoring of Spark Jobs for Data Flow | ✗ | ✓ Leverage the Synapse Spark pools |
