# Quickstart Guide to Fivetran

Set up a new account with Fivetran.

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## Overview

This quickstart guide shows you how to create, configure, and navigate your new Fivetran account. We offer a 14-day free trial for all new accounts that begins after your initial sync is complete. During the trial period, you can try the features included in the [Business Critical plan](https://www.fivetran.com/pricing/features) to see if Fivetran meets your business needs.

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## Setup instructions

> **Tip:** If you have questions or need help, [contact our support team](https://support.fivetran.com/hc/en-us/requests/new).

### Sign up for Fivetran

Go to [https://fivetran.com/signup](https://fivetran.com/signup) to sign up. Once you verify your email and enter your information, you enter a guided setup wizard.

### Provide background information (optional)

When prompted, tell us your primary objective for using Fivetran, how you discovered us, and your role.

### Connect source

Review our [supported connectors list](/docs/connectors.md) to select the tools you want to extract data from. We recommend choosing at least three. Based on your selections, we indicate which source connection can be set up the fastest. While we suggest starting with this option, you can choose any of the sources you selected.

Complete the connection setup form using the instructions embedded in the dashboard, then click **Save & Test** to create your connection.

### Connect destination

Select your destination from our [supported destinations list](/docs/destinations.md). If you do not have a destination, follow the instructions on the **I don't have one** tab to sign up for a free trial account with Snowflake.

> **Note:** Fivetran supports cloud data warehouses, databases, and online data platforms as destinations. We also offer a [Managed Data Lake Service](/docs/managed-data-lake-service.md), which syncs query-ready, fully-managed data to your data lake in open table formats.

Complete the destination setup form using the instructions embedded in the dashboard, then click **Save & Test** to create your destination.

### Add more connections (optional)

If you want to try out additional connectors, follow our [Add a new connection](/docs/getting-started/fivetran-dashboard/connectors.md#addanewconnection) instructions. You can add as many connections using as many connectors as you'd like.

If we don't offer a connector that you want, you can develop a custom data connector with our [Connector SDK](/docs/connector-sdk.md).

> **Tip:** Add all of your connections _before_ you begin syncing data. The free trial does not begin until your first initial sync is complete, so you have the most time possible to try these connections.

### Start initial sync

Click **Start initial sync** to begin your connection's [initial sync](/docs/getting-started/glossary.md#initialsync). Fivetran notifies you once the sync is complete. Your free trial begins once a connection starts an incremental sync.

> **Tip:** Want to explore? Learn how to navigate your account in our [Fivetran Dashboard documentation](/docs/getting-started/fivetran-dashboard.md).

### Add transformations (optional)

On the **Transformations** tab, add a new transformation. You can either use our [pre-built data models](/docs/transformations.md#prebuiltdatamodels) or [transformation integrations](/docs/transformations.md#integrations). Our transformations run in your destination after we load your data in, so your raw data is always available alongside your transformed data. Learn more in our [Transformations for dbt documentation](/docs/transformations/dbt.md).

> **Tip:** For the fastest setup, we recommend using [Quickstart data models](/docs/transformations/quickstart.md).

### Add activations (optional)

On the **Activations** tab, add a new activation to create a bidirectional, end-to-end data pipeline. An activation is a reverse ETL data pipeline that moves datasets from your data warehouse or data lake into your business applications. Learn more in our [Activations documentation](/docs/activations.md).

### Add users (optional)

On the **Users** tab, follow our [Add or remove users](/docs/getting-started/fivetran-dashboard/account-settings.md#addorremoveusers) instructions to add teammates to your account. Learn about Fivetran's user roles and permissions in our [Role-Based Access Control documentation](/docs/getting-started/fivetran-dashboard/account-settings/role-based-access-control.md).

### Monitor usage & purchase

Seven days into your trial, go to the **Billing** page to view your estimated usage to see what Fivetran may cost for you. Fivetran notifies you once the estimate is ready. Learn how we calculate the estimate in our [Account Trial documentation](/docs/getting-started/free-trials/account-trial.md#usageestimate).

Once your trial ends, choose a plan to continue using Fivetran. You can either choose a plan on your [Billing page](https://fivetran.com/dashboard/account/billing-usage/billing) and add a credit card (if applicable) or speak with a Fivetran salesperson for an annual commitment.