Holistics
Holistics builds AI governance and docs-as-analytics in parallel, shipping both weekly
Comparison · Analytics
Keboola vs Fulcrum
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Keboola and Fulcrum — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Shared themes:mcp
Keboola vs Fulcrum: at a glance
| Feature | Keboola | Fulcrum |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Analytics | Analytics |
| Velocity score | 7.5 | 6.3 |
| Sparks · 30d | 2 | 1 |
| Top themes | data-platform, ai-agents, mcp, etl | field-data, mobile, gis, ai-toolkit |
| Last editorial update | 1d ago | 21m ago |
| Website | Visit → | — |
What is Keboola?
Keboola's Kai AI assistant hits GA, completing the pivot from data platform to AI-native pipeline orchestration layer.
Keboola's Kai AI assistant is now generally available for multi-tenant contracted customers, marking the formal transition from experimental feature to production-ready product. The platform is simultaneously navigating Snowflake's forced password authentication deprecation — a platform-level forcing function requiring customer migrations before September 7. Recent work also includes the MCP server gaining unified cross-project authentication, which enables AI coding assistants to act as first-class operators across a full Keboola stack.
What is Fulcrum?
Fulcrum ships MCP server and AI Toolkit to let AI assistants build and query field data forms
Fulcrum is running two parallel tracks: foundational mobile stability (GPS accuracy, offline PDF, Photo FastFill across iOS and Android) and a new AI integration layer via MCP. The mobile side is a steady improvement cadence; the MCP launch is the first genuinely new capability surface the product has added in this window. Photo FastFill (AI-assisted data extraction from photos) continues to mature through early access.
Keboola vs Fulcrum: editorial side-by-side
Keboola
7.5ANALYTICS
Keboola's Kai AI assistant hits GA, completing the pivot from data platform to AI-native pipeline orchestration layer.
◆ Current state
Keboola's Kai AI assistant is now generally available for multi-tenant contracted customers, marking the formal transition from experimental feature to production-ready product. The platform is simultaneously navigating Snowflake's forced password authentication deprecation — a platform-level forcing function requiring customer migrations before September 7. Recent work also includes the MCP server gaining unified cross-project authentication, which enables AI coding assistants to act as first-class operators across a full Keboola stack.
◆ Where it's heading
Keboola is building toward a model where AI agents can autonomously manage the data pipeline lifecycle. The MCP server's unified auth is a signal: the target is a world where a developer's coding assistant can browse, create, and modify Keboola pipelines without a human navigating the UI. Kai GA and the MCP expansion are the same thesis from two directions — AI as interface, not AI as feature. Branched storage expansion to BigQuery and Flows improvements in the background are the operational stability layer those agents will depend on.
◆ Prediction
Kai gaining the ability to create and modify Flows, and the MCP server expanding its coverage to transformation and workspace management, are the two most visible next moves. The Branched Storage on BigQuery release is a prerequisite for Branches 2.0 approval workflows, which would give Kai a way to propose and commit pipeline changes with human review gates.
Fulcrum
6.3ANALYTICS
Fulcrum ships MCP server and AI Toolkit to let AI assistants build and query field data forms
◆ Current state
Fulcrum is running two parallel tracks: foundational mobile stability (GPS accuracy, offline PDF, Photo FastFill across iOS and Android) and a new AI integration layer via MCP. The mobile side is a steady improvement cadence; the MCP launch is the first genuinely new capability surface the product has added in this window. Photo FastFill (AI-assisted data extraction from photos) continues to mature through early access.
◆ Where it's heading
The MCP + AI Toolkit launch signals that Fulcrum sees AI-assisted configuration as a primary growth vector — letting field operations teams describe a form in plain language and have an AI build it correctly. Photo FastFill and offline PDF generation via App Extensions are part of the same arc: AI-augmented data capture for field workers who may not be technically proficient. The product is incrementally offloading form-building complexity to AI.
◆ Prediction
Fulcrum will extend the MCP toolset toward reading and writing records directly, not just building forms and schema. Photo FastFill will likely exit early access with more field types supported as the extraction model improves.
Alternatives to Keboola and Fulcrum
Other Analytics products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either Keboola or Fulcrum.
dbt Core
dbt 2.0 enters final RC with beta Snowflake interactive_table materialization and full ClickHouse MV support.
OpenHouse
OpenHouse breaks ground on Iceberg views while tightening storage lifecycle and authorization
Lightdash
Lightdash is cutting its dbt dependency and building AI-powered authoring into every layer of its BI stack.
Omni
Omni's Apps reach general availability, completing its embedded analytics platform pitch.
OpenCTI
OpenCTI ships FIPS-validated base images and a new vulnerability data model, targeting enterprise and government deployments.
See all Keboola alternatives → · See all Fulcrum alternatives →
Recent activity from Keboola and Fulcrum
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 15h agoFulcrumAndroid 2609.1.0: offline PDF export and GPS disconnect notification
- 1d agoFulcrumNew! Fulcrum MCP & AI Toolkit (Labs) ⚡
- 1d agoKeboolaKai is Now Generally Available (Multi-Tenant, Contracted Customers) ⚡
- 4d agoFulcrumiOS 2609.0.1: app freeze on record load fixed
- 4d agoFulcrumWeb Sep 3-9: org creation restricted by permission; Elite plan upgrade fix
- 4d agoFulcrumAndroid 2609.0.1: crash on new record creation fixed
- 6d agoKeboolaMigrate Snowflake Workspaces from Password to Key Pair Auth
- 6d agoFulcrumiOS 2609.0.0: offline PDF export and Photo FastFill replace-by-default
- 22d agoKeboolaKeboola MCP: Log In Once, Work Across Every Project ⚡
- 27d agoKeboolaPython 3.10 Deprecation for Streamlit Apps (September 2026)
- 1mo agoKeboolaFlows: New Condition Operators and Run Selected Tasks
- 1mo agoKeboolaBranched Storage on BigQuery
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Keboola and Fulcrum?
Both compete on the same themes — mcp — within Analytics. Keboola is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 6.3), with 2 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 1. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is Keboola better than Fulcrum?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Keboola is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 6.3), with 2 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 1. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Analytics products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to Keboola?
Top Keboola alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Keboola alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/keboola for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to Fulcrum?
Top Fulcrum alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Fulcrum alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/fulcrum for the full list with editorial commentary on each.