Connected Apps are cloud-based platforms—such as Salesforce, HubSpot, QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, and many others—that expose their data through APIs. In Etlworks, these systems are treated like databases: you can connect to them, browse objects and fields, and build flows using drag-and-drop mapping or SQL queries.
This article brings together everything you need to know about working with Connected Apps in Etlworks, from choosing the right connector to building and running flows.
What Are Connected Apps?
Connected Apps are third-party SaaS platforms that Etlworks connects to using native connectors. These connectors abstract away the complexity of the underlying API and expose the service as if it were a relational database—with tables, views, and even stored procedures.
Most Connected App connectors are premium and require small annual fee.
Learn more: Connectors for Connected Apps
Why Use a Connected App Connector?
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Work with SaaS platforms as if they were SQL-accessible databases
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Use SQL-92 compatible queries, including JOINs and filters
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Avoid dealing directly with API endpoints, pagination, or authentication
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Browse and preview data using Etlworks Explorer
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Fully supported in all flow types (extract, load, and transform)
Choosing Between Connected App and API Connectors
Etlworks offers two ways to connect to third-party APIs:
Connected App (native connector)
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Provides a database-like interface
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Supports SQL-based access to all standard and custom objects
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Requires no knowledge of the API
API Connector (generic HTTP)
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Use when a native connector doesn’t exist
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Use if you need full control over raw API requests and responses
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Recommended when the Connected App connector doesn’t support a specific API feature
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No licensing fee
Creating a Connection to a Connected App
To start working with a Connected App:
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Go to the Connections page.
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Open the Connected Apps group.
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Select the connector for your platform (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot).
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Configure authentication—typically OAuth2 via “Sign in with…” flow.
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Test and save the connection.
Using a Connected App in Flows
You can use a Connected App as either a source or a destination in any flow type.
Using a Connected App as a Source
Use this when extracting data from the Connected App and loading it into another system (e.g., database, file, another app).
Learn more: The Source is a Connected App
Using a Connected App as a Destination
Use this when loading data into a Connected App from another system.
Learn more: The Destination is a Connected App
Videos
Watch these short videos to see how to connect to Connected Apps, browse data, and build flows: