Differences between Azure Data Factory and Fabric Data Factory

Data Factory in Microsoft Fabric is the next generation of Azure Data Factory, built to handle your most complex data integration challenges with a simpler, more powerful approach.

This guide helps you understand the key differences between these two services, so you can make the right choice for your enterprise. We'll walk you through what's new, what's different, and what advantages Fabric brings to the table.

Ready to explore your migration options? Check out our migration guide.

Compare features side by side

Here's how the core features stack up between Azure Data Factory and Fabric Data Factory. We've highlighted what's changed, what's new, and what stays the same.

Azure Data Factory	Data Factory in Fabric	What's different
Pipeline	Data pipeline	Better integration: Data pipelines in Fabric work seamlessly with Lakehouse, Data Warehouse, and other Fabric services right out of the box.
Mapping data flow	Dataflow Gen2	Easier to use: Dataflow Gen2 gives you a simpler experience for building transformations. We're adding more mapping dataflow features to Gen2 all the time.
Activities	Activities	More activities coming: We're working to bring all your favorite ADF activities to Fabric. Plus, you get new ones like the Office 365 Outlook activity that aren't available in ADF. See our Activity overview for details.
Dataset	Connections only	Simpler approach: No more complex dataset configurations. For Data Factory in Fabric you use connections to link to your data sources and start working.
Linked Service	Connections	More intuitive: Connections work like linked services but are easier to set up and manage.
Triggers	Schedule and file event triggers	Built-in scheduling: Use Fabric's scheduler and Reflex events to automatically run your pipelines. File event triggers work natively in Fabric without extra setup.
Publish	Save and Run	No publishing step: In Fabric, skip the publish step entirely. Just select Save to store your work, or select Run to save and execute your pipeline immediately.
Autoresolve and Azure Integration runtime	Not needed	Simplified architecture: No need to manage integration runtimes. Fabric handles the compute for you.
Self-hosted integration runtimes	On-premises Data Gateway	Same on-premises access: Connect to your on-premises data using the familiar On-premises Data Gateway. Learn more in our on-premises data access guide.
Azure-SSIS integration runtimes	To be determined	Future capability in Fabric: We're still working on the design for SSIS integration in Fabric.
Managed virtual networks and private endpoints	To be determined.	Future capability in Fabric: We're still working on integration for managed virtual networks and private endpoints in Fabric.
Expression language	Expression language	Same expressions: Your existing expression knowledge transfers directly. The syntax is nearly identical.
Authentication types	Authentication kinds	More options: All your popular ADF authentication methods work in Fabric, plus we've added new authentication types.
CI/CD	CI/CD	Coming soon: Full CI/CD capabilities are on the way for Fabric Data Factory.
ARM export/import	Save as	Quick duplication: In Fabric, use "Save as" to quickly duplicate pipelines for development or testing.
Monitoring	Monitoring hub + Run history	Advanced monitoring: The monitoring hub offers a modern experience with cross-workspace insights and better drill-down capabilities.

What makes Fabric Data Factory special

Data Factory in Microsoft Fabric isn't just an upgrade—it's a whole new way to think about data integration. Here are some of the standout features that make Fabric Data Factory a game changer:

Native Lakehouse and Data Warehouse integration

One of the biggest advantages of Fabric Data Factory is how it connects with your data platforms. Lakehouse and Data Warehouse work as both sources and destinations in your pipelines, making it easy to build integrated data projects.

Smart email notifications with Office 365

Need to keep your team in the loop? The Office 365 Outlook activity lets you send customized email notifications about pipeline runs, activity status, and results—all with simple configuration. No more checking dashboards constantly or writing custom notification code.

Streamlined data connection experience

Fabric's modern Get data experience makes it quick to set up copy pipelines and create new connections. You'll spend less time configuring and more time getting your data where it needs to go.

Next-level monitoring and insights

The monitoring experience in Fabric Data Factory is where you'll really see the difference. The monitoring hub gives you a complete view of all your workloads, and you can drill down into any activity for detailed insights. Cross-workspace analysis is built right in, so you can see the big picture across your entire organization.

When you're troubleshooting copy activities, you'll love the detailed breakdown view. Select the run details button (the glasses icon) to see exactly what happened. The Duration breakdown shows you how long each stage took, making performance optimization easier.

Quick pipeline duplication

Need to create a similar pipeline? The Save as feature lets you duplicate any existing pipeline in seconds. It's perfect for creating development versions, testing variations, or setting up similar workflows.

Next steps

Ready to make the switch? Here are some resources to help you get started:

• Migrate from Azure Data Factory to Data Factory in Microsoft Fabric
• Get the full overview of Data Factory in Microsoft Fabric
• Learn about Dataflow Gen2 differences
• Build your first data integration in Fabric