Dataplex Universal Catalog vs. DataHub

Dataplex Universal Catalog is a pay-as-you-go governance solution designed to unify how organizations manage, discover, and govern their data and AI assets. It combines technical, operational, and business metadata in one catalog, enabling transparency and consistency across projects and regions. AI-driven features such as tailored data insights and semantic search help uncover hidden patterns and speed up decision-making. The platform integrates deeply with Vertex AI, allowing users to instantly locate datasets, AI models, and related artifacts while adhering to IAM permissions. With automated lineage, profiling, and quality checks, teams can ensure compliance and maintain trusted data pipelines. Dataplex Universal Catalog also empowers organizations to build decentralized data meshes by logically organizing data into business domains. Its premium tier unlocks advanced exploration, profiling, and quality assessment for complex governance scenarios. For analytics teams, BigQuery integration provides end-to-end governance directly within the warehouse environment. For open data architectures, BigLake integration ensures consistent governance across Iceberg-based lakehouses. Overall, Dataplex Universal Catalog enables enterprises to balance accessibility with control, democratizing data insights while safeguarding trust and compliance.

DataHub stands out as a dynamic open-source metadata platform designed to improve data discovery, observability, and governance across diverse data landscapes. It allows organizations to quickly locate dependable data while delivering tailored experiences for users, all while maintaining seamless operations through accurate lineage tracking at both cross-platform and column-specific levels. By presenting a comprehensive perspective of business, operational, and technical contexts, DataHub builds confidence in your data repository. The platform includes automated assessments of data quality and employs AI-driven anomaly detection to notify teams about potential issues, thereby streamlining incident management. With extensive lineage details, documentation, and ownership information, DataHub facilitates efficient problem resolution. Moreover, it enhances governance processes by classifying dynamic assets, which significantly minimizes manual workload thanks to GenAI documentation, AI-based classification, and intelligent propagation methods. DataHub's adaptable architecture supports over 70 native integrations, positioning it as a powerful solution for organizations aiming to refine their data ecosystems. Ultimately, its multifaceted capabilities make it an indispensable resource for any organization aspiring to elevate their data management practices while fostering greater collaboration among teams.