BizTalk Replacement – Prepare for BizTalk End-of-Life
30-Second Summary of Our Value Proposition
- PilotFish offers a modern, flexible alternative to BizTalk with a dramatically easier learning curve and faster deployment times.
- PilotFish licenses include every component, processor, and connector (adapter) at
no extra cost. - PilotFish supports all major data formats out-of-the-box–including HL7, X12, FHIR, XML, JSON, and proprietary formats.
- PilotFish eliminates the need for deep .NET or Visual Studio expertise—no coding required.
- PilotFish licenses include every component, processor, and connector (adapter) at
- PilotFish supports ANY-to-ANY integration, including legacy systems, APIs, flat files, databases, etc.
- PilotFish pricing is transparent and predictable with monthly on-demand or enterprise options
—no transaction or connector-based fees. - PilotFish software can be deployed in the cloud, on-premises, or any hybrid configuration.
- Customers consistently choose PilotFish over BizTalk for its ease of use, flexibility, real-time monitoring and faster time to value.
Microsoft is winding down support for BizTalk Server. Mainstream support is ending in 2028, and extended support will end by 2030. With BizTalk end-of-life approaching, BizTalk customers are now under much pressure to find a replacement. That’s where PilotFish comes in.
Designed for speed, simplicity, and adaptability, PilotFish is a future-proof platform that supports on-premise and cloud deployments out of the box. Whether your migration from BizTalk or planning for BizTalk end-of-life involves a few interfaces or an entire ecosystem, PilotFish offers a simplified migration path. It does this by reducing interface complexity, accelerating timelines, offering automated tools and delivering long-term value. Explore the comparison below to see how PilotFish is a great BizTalk alternative and beats it in every key integration category.
Beyond simplified migration, PilotFish stands apart in usability, flexibility, and operational control. Unlike BizTalk, which demands deep technical expertise and has a steep learning curve, PilotFish features a graphical, no-code Automated Interface Assembly Line that empowers users to build, test and deploy integrations visually—no scripting required.
PilotFish also eliminates the adapter sprawl and configuration complexity common in BizTalk by supporting all major standards and protocols, like HL7, X12 EDI, FHIR, JSON, and more, out of the box. With built-in real-time monitoring and alerting through the eiDashboard, PilotFish delivers greater visibility and faster troubleshooting without requiring third-party tools. And with a flexible licensing model tailored to your business, PilotFish offers a more cost-effective, scalable integration solution as a BizTalk replacement for organizations facing BizTalk end-of-life.
BizTalk vs PilotFish – Overview
| PilotFish Integration Suite | Microsoft BizTalk Server | |
| Product Lifecycle | Actively developed and supported. | Mainstream support ends April 2028. Extended support ends April 2030. |
| Cloud Deployment | Native cloud support –on AWS, Azure, GCP, or use a hybrid model | Can be hosted on Azure as a Service (IaaS) but lacks native cloud integration capabilities. |
| On-Premises Deployment | On-premises under the control of the client. | On-premises (hosted within the customer’s own infrastructure). |
| Supported Standards & Protocols | HL7, X12 EDI, FHIR, JSON, XML, proprietary – all supported out-of-the-box. | Many standards require adapters or custom development. |
| API & Extensibility | Open API and .NET Bridge available for easy customization and extension. | Limited API access. Customization often requires significant coding. |
| Monitoring & Management Tools | Real-time interface monitoring via PilotFish eiDashboard web-based app. | Monitoring is possible but limited and complex. Often relies on third-party tools. |
| Ease of Migration | Streamlined migration tools and services available. | Migrations are complex, requiring deep knowledge and often full rewrites. |
| Onboarding Speed | Interfaces can often be built in hours or days with visual tools. | Development cycles are lengthy and resource intensive. |
| PHI/Security Compliance | On-premise or private cloud options available – no external validation or data sharing required. | Sensitive data often must move through more complex routing with more exposure. |
BizTalk vs PilotFish – Interface Development
| PilotFish Assembly Line | BizTalk Orchestration Model | |
| Interface Configuration | Automated graphical interface “Assembly Line” process – no coding required. | Complex, developer-centric tools, requiring deep product expertise. |
| Workflow Design | 7-stage Assembly Line that clearly separates responsibilities: from listener to transformation, routing, etc. | Complex orchestration model using Visual Studio and XLANG expressions. |
| Self-Documentation | Every interface is self-documenting by design. Stages are labeled and traceable. | No built-in self-documentation. Requires external documentation to understand the flow. |
| Modularity & Reusability | Common stages, routes and processors can be reused across interfaces. | Components can be reused but require custom orchestration and .NET development to do so. |
| Learning Curve | Designed for ease-of-use by both technical and semi-technical users. | Requires developer expertise in .NET, XML, and BizTalk-specific constructs. |
| Debugging & Troubleshooting | Each stage can be tested and validated individually. Easy to isolate and fix issues. | Debugging often requires deployment and complex log analysis. |
| Audit & Trace | Full logging and monitoring per stage; easy to trace data lineage and flow. | Logging is available but not granular by default — custom instrumentation often needed. |
| Visual Clarity | Each interface is built as a clear pipeline of stages: Source → Transform → Route → Target. | Orchestrations are diagram-based but can become tangled with conditions, loops, and embedded logic. |
| Documentation Generation | Interfaces are visually inspectable and can export documentation of their flows. | Manual documentation is required for stakeholders to understand logic and flow. |
BizTalk vs PilotFish – Data Mapping
| PilotFish Data Mapper | BizTalk Mapper | |
| User Interface | Modern graphical interface with drag-and-drop mapping across any data structure. | Graphical mapping tool within Visual Studio. |
| Format Support | Maps any format: XML, JSON, flat files, HL7, X12 EDI, databases, proprietary, etc. | Primarily XML. Non-XML formats require conversion to XML first. |
| Schema Flexibility | Supports non-XML schemas and dynamic, schema-less transformations. | Requires strict XSD schema definitions for both source and target. |
| Function Library | 100+ built-in drag-and-drop functions (math, string, logic, date/time, etc.) plus user-defined custom functions. | Dozens of “functoids” for basic logic, but advanced needs often require custom code. |
| Reusability | Reusable templates, modular functions and versioning support. | Limited reuse. Rebuilding mappings for new versions is often required. |
| Testing & Debugging | Inline testing within the mapping tool, with real-time preview of source → target. | No built-in testing; requires separate orchestration and deployment to test mappings. |
| Learning Curve | Intuitive and non-technical users can become proficient quickly. | Steeper learning curve; designed for developers. |
| Performance | Optimized mapping engine for high throughput and low latency. | Performance varies and can become slower with complex mappings or large schemas. |
| Extensibility | Easy to add custom functions via Java or scripting. | Custom functoids must be written and compiled in .NET. |
What Has Replaced BizTalk?
Microsoft has not released a direct successor to BizTalk Server. Instead, it recommends customers transition to Azure Integration Services, which includes:
- Azure Logic Apps – for low-code workflow automation
- Azure API Management – for publishing and managing APIs
- Azure Service Bus/Event Grid – for messaging and pub/sub
- Azure Functions – for lightweight, serverless compute
- Azure Data Factory – for data integration (more ETL)
In this new model, Azure Logic Apps plays the most central role in replacing BizTalk’s workflow orchestration functionality.
Azure Logic Apps vs PilotFish – Overview
| PilotFish Integration Engine | Azure Logic Apps | |
| Deployment | On-prem, cloud, hybrid (any cloud provider, private cloud, or server). | Cloud-native only (PaaS on Azure). |
| Architecture | Unified engine with modular 7-stage Assembly Line for routing, transformation and monitoring. | Microservice-oriented; relies on external services for routing, transformation, etc. |
| Ease of Use | No-code visual tools with a single UI for full interface lifecycle. | Low-code designer, but complex integrations require stitching together multiple services. |
| Data Format Support | Full native support for HL7, X12, FHIR, JSON, XML, flat files, databases, and proprietary formats. | JSON, XML, flat files, some X12 via connectors. |
| Protocol Support | Built-in support for SFTP, TCP, Web Services, JMS, HTTP/S, MQ, REST, and more. | Requires connectors or Azure Functions. |
| Mapping Capabilities | Rich graphical Data Mapper with 100+ drag & drop functions and inline testing. | Basic transformation relies on Liquid templates or Azure Functions for complex logic. |
| Monitoring & Logging | Built-in real-time tracking and diagnostics via eiDashboard. | Requires integration with Azure Monitor and Log Analytics. |
| Vendor Lock-in | Platform-agnostic; no dependency on Microsoft, cloud-agnostic. | Fully dependent on Azure ecosystem. |
| Cost Structure | Flat, predictable licensing (subscription, enterprise, OEM options). | Pay-as-you-go per action and connector; can scale up costs quickly. |
| Migration Support | Offers templates, reusable components, and migration best practices. | No formal BizTalk migration tools. |
Key Differences
- Logic Apps = Cloud-first and connector-based: Great for automating SaaS tasks and lightweight workflows, but complex integrations often require layering multiple Azure services.
- PilotFish = Engineered for deep system-to-system integration: Especially strong in healthcare (HL7, X12, FHIR) and regulated environments, with full on-prem or hybrid support.
Bottom Line
Azure Logic Apps is Microsoft’s cloud-native alternative to BizTalk, but it’s best for lightweight, Azure-centric workflows. PilotFish is a purpose-built integration engine for organizations that need:
- Deep protocol and format support
- No-code mapping and testing
- Real-time visibility
- Deployment flexibility beyond Azure
PilotFish Pricing Model vs Azure Logic Apps
| PilotFish | Azure Logic Apps | |
| Pricing Model | Monthly subscription with predictable base price. | Pay-as-you-go, consumption-based pricing. |
| Charges Based On | – Number of interfaces or transactions. – Additional environments or modules optional. | – Number of triggers, actions, and connector executions. – Premium connectors cost more. – Data retention & logging incur extra charges. |
| Base Cost Estimate | Starts at a flat monthly base price, with transparent add-ons if needed. | No base price; costs scale with usage. Small workflows = low cost; high-throughput = $$$ |
| Connector Fees | No per-connector cost – all protocol and format connectors are included. | – Many standard connectors are free – Premium connectors (e.g., SAP, IBM MQ) require additional cost. |
| Data Handling Costs | Logging and monitoring included in the eiDashboard. | Charged for execution + logging (Log Analytics) + storage. |
| Scalability Pricing Impact | Scales predictably with tiered or enterprise licensing. | Costs can scale unpredictably with volume. |
| Support Cost | Standard and premium support included or tiered. | Extra for SLA-backed Azure support plans. |
| Vendor Lock-In Risk | Low – deploy anywhere, no cloud commitment required. | High – tied to Azure consumption, connectors, and billing. |
What This Means in Practice
- Azure Logic Apps may be cheaper for low-volume, simple workflows.
- Costs increase quickly with complex workflows, frequent actions, or premium connectors.
- Monitoring, logging, and support are add-ons in Azure’s ecosystem.
- PilotFish offers predictable, stable pricing, especially ideal for:
- Healthcare, Finance and enterprise clients
- High-volume transaction environments
- Clients who want control over infrastructure or need hybrid/on-prem deployments
Bottom Line
Suppose you’re running mission-critical interfaces and value predictable pricing with full access to features. In that case, PilotFish’s monthly base + on-demand model is more transparent and cost-effective in the long term.
Conclusion
As BizTalk Server approaches its end-of-life, organizations face a critical decision: remain tethered to a legacy platform with limited future support, or transition to a modern, agile integration solution. PilotFish delivers everything BizTalk lacks—cloud-native flexibility, ease of use, support for all major data formats and protocols and a visual, low-code development experience. With self-documenting workflows, robust monitoring, and faster time-to-deployment, PilotFish enables teams to do more with fewer resources. Whether you’re looking to simplify complex integrations, reduce costs, or future-proof your infrastructure, PilotFish is the clear and strategic choice for replacing BizTalk.
Give us a call at 813 864 8662 or click the button. We’ll be glad to walk you through how we can meet your needs for any integration scenario. PilotFish will reduce your upfront investment, deliver more value and generate a higher ROI.
HL7 is the registered trademark of Health Level Seven International.