DBConvert Streams vs PeerDB

DBConvert Streams is an operational database migration and CDC tool with a built-in IDE that writes back to operational databases, files, and S3.

PeerDB is a Postgres-first CDC tool that streams data from operational databases into analytical targets like Snowflake, BigQuery, and ClickHouse.

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MySQL → PostgreSQL · insert, update, and delete replicated live, both ends on screen

Quick answer

Choose by job

Choose DBConvert Streams if

  • Your destination is another operational database, files, or S3 — not an analytics warehouse.
  • You need initial Load, ongoing CDC, and validation inside the same product.
  • Your stack centers on MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, files, or S3.
  • You want desktop + Docker self-hosted distribution, not a hosted-cloud option.

Choose PeerDB if

  • Your destination is an analytics target — Snowflake, BigQuery, ClickHouse — or a Kafka-family stream.
  • Your primary source is PostgreSQL and you want Postgres-native snapshot reconciliation at scale.
  • Your stack already includes ClickHouse and you want the vendor-recommended ingestion path.
  • Downstream analytics is the consumer of your CDC events, not another operational database.

At a glance

Side-by-side facts

Aspect
DBConvert Streams
PeerDB
Tool type
Operational DB IDE + migration + CDC
Postgres-first CDC for analytics targets
Primary destination
Operational databases, files, S3
Analytics warehouses and streams
Source coverage
MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, files, S3
PostgreSQL (primary), MySQL, MongoDB
Warehouse targets
Snowflake (coming soon)
ClickHouse — Snowflake and BigQuery connectors deprecated after the ClickHouse acquisition
Stream / event-bus targets
No (writes to DB/files/S3 directly)
Kafka connector deprecated; maintained paths are Postgres → ClickHouse and Postgres → Postgres
Initial snapshot strategy
Native log-based snapshot with checkpointed resume
Multi-LSN reconciliation (Postgres-focused)
Native log-based CDC (MySQL/PG)
Yes
Yes
Built-in IDE / SQL editor
Yes
No
Source/target data comparison
Yes
No
Deployment
Desktop + Docker + web UI
Self-hosted Docker or PeerDB Cloud (ClickHouse-owned)
License
Free IDE + commercial Streams
AGPLv3 core; cloud folded into ClickHouse Cloud after the 2024 acquisition
Pricing model
Per-seat — $49/mo or $399/yr; no usage metering
Cloud from $250/mo (Postgres → ClickHouse Cloud only)

AI and MCP

The AI difference

DBConvert Streams

DBConvert adds an AI-assisted operator layer to migration and CDC, including live database context and stream diagnostics exposed safely to external clients.

Explore DBConvert AI and MCP

PeerDB

No documented AI or MCP features.

Where DBConvert Streams goes further

Write CDC back into an operational target, not a warehouse

Target is another live database, files, or S3 — the CDC pipeline ends in a usable operational endpoint, not an analytics layer.

Inspect data inside the same product that moves it

Browse schemas, run SQL, edit rows, inspect ER diagrams alongside the CDC stream. PeerDB has no IDE — you bring your own SQL client.

Validate the cutover with data, not just delivery

Compare row counts and sample content between source and target inside the same UI. PeerDB leaves validation to the analytics layer.

Run Load, CDC, and Compare from one workspace

Initial population, validation, and ongoing CDC are one workflow. PeerDB focuses on the stream; initial-load inspection is your stack.

Pick a deployment shape that matches the work

Desktop apps (Win/macOS/Linux), Docker, and a web UI — not cloud-only, not Docker-only.

Where PeerDB wins

Ingest Postgres into Snowflake, BigQuery, or ClickHouse

Designed around Postgres → analytics — pipeline patterns and type handling analytics teams already expect.

Take the ClickHouse-recommended path for Postgres CDC

ClickHouse acquired PeerDB in 2024. For Postgres → ClickHouse Cloud, PeerDB is the vendor-recommended route.

Land changes in Kafka, PubSub, or Event Hubs as first-class targets

Kafka, Redpanda, PubSub, Azure Event Hubs, S3, and GCS are real CDC destinations — useful when CDC feeds event consumers downstream.

Snapshot wide Postgres tables without long lock windows

Multi-LSN snapshot strategy handles big initial loads — designed for Postgres replication at scale.

Run on your infrastructure or on the hosted cloud

Open-source self-hosted plus a hosted PeerDB Cloud option. No single deployment shape mandated.

See it on your own databases — self-hosted, free evaluation, no credit card.

Download DBConvert Streams Try DBConvert Streams

Workflow

Replicate operational databases back to another database — not into a warehouse

  1. 1Install DBConvert Streams as a desktop app or Docker distribution.
  2. 2Connect source and target operational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL → MySQL, or PG → PG replica) in Data Explorer.
  3. 3Run Load mode for the initial population with table mapping and filters.
  4. 4Open the Compare tab and validate row counts and sample data on the target before turning on CDC.
  5. 5Switch to CDC mode and monitor throughput, lag, and run history in Stream Monitor.

PeerDB ships Postgres changes into an analytics target like ClickHouse or Snowflake. DBConvert Streams writes back to another operational database — with the IDE and validation alongside.

Also supported

The same workflow runs for other source/target combinations:

  • PostgreSQL → MySQL/MariaDB (cross-engine operational replication)
  • MySQL/MariaDB → PostgreSQL (reverse, operational)
  • MySQL/MariaDB ↔ MySQL/MariaDB (homogeneous operational)
  • PostgreSQL ↔ PostgreSQL (homogeneous operational)
  • MySQL/PostgreSQL → S3 / files (archival or downstream pipelines, not analytics warehouse)
  • Files / S3 → MySQL or PostgreSQL (operational ingest)

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is DBConvert Streams a PeerDB replacement?

Different destinations, different jobs.

  • PeerDB — Streams Postgres (and MySQL/MongoDB) changes into analytics targets — Snowflake, BigQuery, ClickHouse — and event streams like Kafka or PubSub.
  • DBConvert Streams — Writes changes back to another operational database (MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL), files, or S3 — with a built-in IDE and source/target comparison.

For Postgres → ClickHouse / Snowflake / BigQuery, PeerDB. For operational DB ↔ DB and DB ↔ files/S3 moves, DBConvert Streams.

Does PeerDB only support PostgreSQL as a source?

No. PeerDB supports PostgreSQL (primary), MySQL, and MongoDB as sources. The marketing and documentation center on Postgres CDC into analytics targets, but MySQL and MongoDB are real first-party sources.

Does DBConvert Streams support ClickHouse, BigQuery, or Snowflake as targets?

Not as analytics targets today. Snowflake is on the roadmap (coming soon). BigQuery and ClickHouse are not currently supported. If your destination is an analytics warehouse or stream, PeerDB is the better fit. DBConvert Streams targets operational databases, files, and S3.

Which is better for Postgres-to-Postgres replication?

It depends on where the target lives and what shape it has.

  • PeerDB — Strong for Postgres → Postgres when the target is part of an analytics pipeline or you specifically want PeerDB's multi-LSN snapshot reconciliation.
  • DBConvert Streams — Strong for operational Postgres → Postgres with a built-in IDE, Load + CDC + Compare in one workflow.

Is PeerDB part of ClickHouse now?

Yes. ClickHouse acquired PeerDB in 2024. PeerDB is still developed and offered, and is the recommended ingestion path for Postgres → ClickHouse Cloud. The open-source self-hosted distribution remains available.

When should I not use DBConvert Streams?

When your destination is an analytics warehouse (Snowflake before release, BigQuery, ClickHouse) or a streaming platform (Kafka, Redpanda, PubSub, Event Hubs). In those cases PeerDB is a better fit. Also when you need PeerDB-specific multi-LSN snapshot reconciliation for very large Postgres tables.

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