“What is Boomi?” If you’re asking yourself this question, you’re probably on the lookout for an iPaaS solution. Dell Boomi is one of the leading integration platforms on the market but what exactly makes it stand out?

In this guide, we will take a look at why Boomi might be a perfect solution in your case, consider some of its limitations as well as take a look at some of the most popular alternatives.

‍

What is Boomi?

Boomi is a cloud-based iPaaS provider that enables businesses to connect applications, data, and systems, both on-premises and in the cloud. Boomi simplifies complex integration processes and helps organizations streamline workflows, automate tasks, and improve data accuracy.

Founded in 2000 and acquired by Dell Technologies in 2010, Boomi has grown into a widely recognized player in the integration market, serving businesses of all sizes across various industries.

What is Boomi used for?

Boomi is used by thousands of companies worldwide to streamline their integration needs. Due to its high-security standards, it’s particularly beneficial for larger companies in highly regulated sectors, such as healthcare and public services. 

Some of the most common Dell Boomi use cases are:

• Application integrations: Connect SaaS and on-premises applications like Salesforce, NetSuite, SAP, and Microsoft Dynamics.
  ‍
• Data integrations: Synchronize data across multiple systems to ensure consistency and accuracy.
  ‍
• B2B/EDI integrations: Facilitate secure data exchanges with trading partners using EDI standards
  ‍
• ETL: Transforming data into a preferred format and moving it between various applications is the key feature of all iPaaS solutions. Just like its competitors, Boomi does a great job at extracting, transforming, and loading data.
  ‍
• API management: Design, deploy, and manage APIs to enable seamless data sharing across applications.
  ‍
• Workflow automation: Automate complex business processes and workflows to improve efficiency.

Boomi is especially popular among businesses looking to accelerate digital transformation and streamline operations.

What is Boomi AtomSphere?

Boomi AtomSphere is the core product of Boomi by Dell Technologies. The comprehensive iPaaS platform offers a suite of tools for various integration needs:

• Boomi Atoms

Boomi Atoms are essentially engines used to execute integration processes. Atoms can be deployed in the cloud or on-premises, which makes Boomi a perfect hybrid integration platform (HIP).

• Visual interface
  ‍AtomSphere offers a drag-and-drop visual interface that simplifies the design of integration workflows, making it accessible even to non-technical users.

• Pre-built connectors
  ‍Boomi provides a vast library of pre-built connectors for popular applications and data sources, speeding up the integration process.

• API management
  ‍AtomSphere allows users to build, manage, and monitor APIs, enabling businesses to create custom integrations and data-sharing solutions.

• Master data hub
  ‍As the name suggests, it’s a hub for managing your organization’s data. Boomi’s master data hub’s purpose is to manage and synchronize master data across systems, ensuring data consistency and accuracy.

• Flow
  ‍Flow is a low-code platform for building customer journeys and workflow applications, extending integration capabilities beyond data and applications.

Why is Boomi popular?

Boomi has become a popular choice among enterprise companies due to its flexibility, ease of use, and enterprise data security, which includes both standard and specialty certifications.

• Ease of use: The drag-and-drop interface and pre-built connectors make integration projects faster and simpler.
  ‍
• Flexibility: Boomi supports various integration scenarios, including cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-on-premises, and B2B integrations.
  ‍
• Data security: Boomi customers have full control over the encryption/decryption process of their data with an external keystore. Dell Boomi’s certifications include ISO, SOC I/SOC II, CAIQ, FedRAMP/StateRAMP, HIPAA/HITECH, and more.
  ‍
• Speed: With its visual interface and pre-built connectors, Boomi enables rapid deployment of integration projects.
  ‍
• Community and support: Boomi offers a strong community and extensive documentation to help users get the most out of the platform.

Boomi’s pricing structure

Boomi offers a tiered pricing model based on features, number of connectors, and data volume. Currently, Boomi supports 5 different pricing plans: Base, Professional, Pro Plus, Enterprise, and Enterprise Plus.

According to past and existing customers the price is negotiable. The approximate cost for each connector (NetSuite, Salesforce, Workday etc.) is $5000/year.

Boomi limitations in IT service integration

Despite its solid offering, Boomi comes with a list of limitations that businesses must take into account before investing in the platform:

• Cost: Boomi can be expensive for businesses with extensive integration needs, especially as usage scales.
  ‍
• Learning curve: While user-friendly, mastering complex integrations may require prior coding knowledge.
  ‍
• Performance issues: Handling large data volumes or complex workflows can sometimes result in performance bottlenecks.
  ‍
• Customization limits: Some unique integration scenarios may require custom scripting beyond the capabilities of pre-built connectors.

Top Boomi iPaaS alternatives

Unless you work in the healthcare sector or for a governmental agency, there’s no need to get stuck on Boomi as plenty of alternatives in self-service iPaaS tools, including:

• MuleSoft: Known for its API-led integration approach and robust feature set for complex enterprise integrations.
  ‍
• Celigo: Focuses on simplifying integrations for cloud applications with an intuitive interface and pre-built connectors.
  ‍
• Informatica: A comprehensive data integration and management platform for large-scale data workflows.
  ‍
• Workato: An automation-driven iPaaS that allows users to build workflows and automate processes with minimal coding.
  ‍
• Jitterbit: A flexible API integration platform for connecting SaaS, on-premises, and cloud applications.
  ‍
• SnapLogic: Provides AI-driven automation and a visual interface for fast and efficient data and application integrations.

‍

ONEiO as a Managed Integration Service Alternative

When evaluating Boomi alternatives, consider ONEiO’s Integration Ops as a Service—a fully managed, automated, and scalable solution that eliminates the complexities of traditional integrations. Unlike conventional iPaaS tools, ONEiO provides continuous integration management, ensuring your systems stay connected and operational without requiring hands-on technical maintenance.

Key ONEiO advantages

• Fully managed service – While Boomi is a good option for organizations that want to build and maintain their own integrations, ONEiO eliminates that burden. Our team operates, automates, and optimizes integrations, removing the need for in-house technical expertise.
  ‍
• Format-agnostic processing – Supports JSON, XML, CSV, and proprietary data formats, ensuring maximum compatibility across different systems.
  ‍
• Enterprise-grade security – ONEiO provides SOC 2 compliance, field-level encryption, and role-based access controls, ensuring integrations remain secure and compliant.
  ‍
• No-code configuration – Boomi requires hands-on configuration, while ONEiO provides a fully managed, no-code service that adapts to evolving business needs.
  ‍
• Predictable cost structure – Boomi’s pricing fluctuates based on usage and features, whereas ONEiO offers a subscription-based model focused on integration outcomes rather than technical overhead.

Key Differences: Boomi vs. ONEiO

Bottom line on Boomi (and ONEiO as an alternative)

Boomi is a popular iPaaS tool, offering a flexible integration framework for businesses with internal technical resources to manage their integrations. However, organizations looking for a fully managed, hands-free alternative may benefit more from ONEiO’s Managed Integration Service.

ONEiO transforms integrations from a technical challenge into a seamless, scalable, and cost-effective service. By eliminating the need for custom coding and ongoing maintenance, we help businesses achieve faster, more reliable integrations—without the complexity.

‍

If you are looking for ways to keep your tools and people up to speed, contact us for a free 15-minute assessment to see how we can help you reach better integration outcomes. With a 100% success guarantee!

‍