# Getting data out of Awell
URL: https://docs.awellhealth.com/docs/data/getting-data-out-of-awell

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.awellhealth.com/llms.txt).



Care flow data comes out as a stream of events or as a query against the data repository, and the two
answer different questions.

## Stream events as they happen [#stream-events-as-they-happen]

Use [webhooks](/docs/automate-with-events/webhooks-and-events) to track events happening in Awell and
send them on to Segment, Amplitude, Google Analytics, or an in-house service.

Use this when something should happen **because** an event occurred. It's a near-real-time push that
carries identifiers rather than full records.

## Query the data repository [#query-the-data-repository]

Awell uses **BigQuery** as its data repository, storing and indexing care flow datasets. To query it:

* **connect an external BI tool** to the BigQuery datasets, or
* **use BigQuery Studio** to explore and visualize the data directly.

Use this to analyze across patients and time, rather than to react to one thing.

## Use both, for different jobs [#use-both-for-different-jobs]

|          | Webhooks                  | BigQuery                        |
| -------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Shape    | Push, event by event      | Pull, query across everything   |
| Timing   | Near real-time            | Batch                           |
| Good for | Triggering work elsewhere | Reporting, analysis, dashboards |

Don't reach for BigQuery to drive a real-time action, or for webhooks to build a report.

## Next steps [#next-steps]

**Next:** [Get access to BigQuery](/docs/data/getting-access).