DirectFlow

Do I need a data warehouse to use DirectFlow?

No. DirectFlow connects directly to your operational database (Postgres, MySQL, MongoDB) or data warehouse (Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift). If you have customer data in any of these, you can use DirectFlow. You can also use our API to send data programmatically if you don't have a database or prefer that approach.

What impact does DirectFlow have on my database?

Minimal. Our connections are read-only, and queries are optimized for performance. For production databases, we recommend using a read replica. We never perform writes, updates, or deletes. Most customers report zero noticeable impact. For high-scale needs (millions of contacts), we can architect custom solutions.

How is this different from Klaviyo or Customer.io?

Klaviyo and Customer.io require you to sync customer data to their platform through integrations, webhooks, or CSV uploads. This creates sync delays and data duplication. DirectFlow connects directly to your database and queries it in real-time when campaigns send. No syncing, no delays, no duplicate data storage. Plus, you replace multiple tools (CDP + ESP + SMS provider) with one platform.

Can I use DirectFlow without connecting a database?

Yes. While our core strength is direct database connections, you can also use our API to send customer data, similar to any marketing platform. However, you'll lose the benefits of real-time querying and won't need the higher pricing tier. If you don't have a database, consider starting with a lower-cost platform designed for API-first workflows.

What if I need help with SQL queries?

Our AI-powered query builder translates plain English into SQL automatically. For example: "Users who signed up in the last 7 days but haven't logged in" becomes a working SQL query. You can also write SQL directly if you prefer, or our team can help you build complex queries during onboarding.