Choose data loader for your task

Selecting your tool by scenario

Scenario	Recommended Tool
I want to do the main data load for my organization	Sage People Data Loader
I want to load historical absence requests	Sage People Data Loader
I want to mass delete all data	Sage People Data Loader
I have lots of data to load or delete in a single object not covered by Sage People Data Loader, such as passports and visas	Salesforce Apex DataLoader
I want to mass upload attachments	Salesforce Apex DataLoader
I want to load historical absence requests with data in the Notes field.	Salesforce Dataloader.io or Salesforce Apex DataLoader

Benefits and limitations of each data loader

The pros and cons of each method are discussed below. Salesforce Import Wizard is not documented but details on how to use it can be found Salesforce help content for the Data Import Wizard.

Sage People Data Loader	Salesforce Apex Data Loader	Salesforce Dataloader.io
You can import data into the 3 main Sage People objects (Team Member, Employment and Salary) simultaneously.	You can only load data into a single object at a time.	You can only load data into a single object at a time.
You can mass delete all Sage People data simultaneously.	You can only delete data in one object at a time.	You can only delete data in one object at a time.
Data is verified so any data errors prevent any records from being updated, which can be an advantage when you wish records to be loaded sequentially for auto-numbering purposes.	Data is verified so data errors in any row prevent that record from updating. All records without errors will still be uploaded, which can be a disadvantage when you wish records to be loaded sequentially for auto-numbering purposes but can be quicker if auto-numbering is not a concern.	Data is verified so that data errors in any row prevent that record from updating. All records without errors will still be uploaded, which can be a disadvantage when you wish records to be loaded sequentially for auto-numbering purposes.
You can generate data load templates.	You can only generate a data load template by exporting a blank CSV file for the object.	You can only generate a data load template by exporting a blank CSV file for the object.
You can export picklist options for each picklist in an object simultaneously.	You cannot export picklist values.	You cannot export picklist values.
You must edit a CSV file in a text editor to ensure the correct format.	All CSV files accepted.	All CSV files accepted.
Can only import into specific objects available for data loads.	Can import into all Salesforce objects.	Can import into all Salesforce objects.
Main Data loads can take a long time, probably due to the verification and importing into multiple objects at once.	Generally uploads are quicker than Sage People Data Loader.	Generally uploads are quicker than Sage People Data Loader.
Cannot delete from a single object or filter deletes.	Can delete from a single object and filter deletes.	Can delete from a single object and filter deletes.
Cannot export so have to use Salesforce reports instead.	Can export.	Can export.
Cannot export so no backup can be taken prior to the load in order to roll back later. However, a copy of all successful and unsuccessful data loads is retained in the Data Loads tab.	Can easily create backup before importing and changing data, but data is not stored.	Improved data security as can most easily create backup before importing and that backup is then stored for 30 days.
Good UI.	Slower and UI not as good as Salesforce Dataloader.io.	Quicker, easier and superior UI to Salesforce Apex Data Loader.
Lookup values can be loaded in without specifying the reference field and are validated against lookup values in the system.	When importing lookup fields you must use Salesforce IDs.	When importing lookup fields, you can select the reference field so Salesforce IDs are not always required.
No monthly limits.	No monthly limits.	Has a monthly limit of 10,000 records per month that you can import, export or delete per Admin User. It is possible to create additional admin users to extend this.
Keeps tasks indefinitely so you can go back to tasks already completed and easily rerun for example exports.	No history log to refer back to past tasks.	Keeps tasks for 30 days so you can go back to tasks already completed and easily rerun, exports for example
Native within Sage People so no additional login required.	Prompt you to log in each time.	The auto login feature means that if you are signed into multiple Salesforce orgs at a time, the wrong org can be picked up. It is best to sign out of all orgs other than the one you wish to import into.
You cannot import mass attachments with a source file.	Use for mass importing attachments.	You cannot import mass attachments with a source file.
Cannot be used for exporting.	Allows you to filter the records you are exporting.	Allows you to filter the records you are exporting.
Cannot be used for exporting.	You can specify date format in Settings only.	Allows you to easily specify date format for each import.
Supported by Sage People.	Not supported by Sage People but you could raise a Salesforce case.	Not supported.
Works on Macs.	Works on Macs.	Works on Macs.
Must run a report to see the data.	Must export to see data to correct.	Must export to see data to correct.
High volumes of data can cause Sage People Data Loader to run very slowly.	Works well with high volumes of data.	Works well with high volumes of data.
Unable to load data that contains line breaks, for example sentences on separate lines in a long text field, due to the file format required for upload.	Can load data containing line breaks, for example sentences on separate lines in a long text field.	Can load data containing line breaks, for example sentences on separate lines in a long text field.