> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.siftstack.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Choose a streaming method

> Select the streaming method that fits your situation

Sift supports several streaming methods. Each method suits a different starting point. Use the table below to match your situation to the right method, then follow the link to get started.

| If you want to…                              | Use…                                                                                                   |
| -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Get started quickly from Python code         | [Python client library](/documentation/ingest/stream/stream-your-first-telemetry-data-with-python)     |
| Stream from any language using gRPC          | [Ingestion-config streaming](/documentation/ingest/stream/stream-telemetry-from-a-running-application) |
| Send data from an existing protobuf pipeline | [Protobuf ingestion](/documentation/reference/stream/protobuf-ingestion-reference)                     |
| Send arbitrary JSON quickly without a schema | [Schemaless ingestion](/documentation/reference/stream/schemaless-ingestion-reference)                 |
| Reuse an existing Influx setup               | [Influx Line Protocol](/documentation/reference/stream/influx-line-protocol-reference)                 |
| Import historical files instead of streaming | [Import](/documentation/ingest/data-import/import-data-from-a-file)                                    |

## Method comparison

| Method                     | Protocol   | Schema required          | Best for                                           |
| -------------------------- | ---------- | ------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Python client library      | gRPC       | Yes (defined in code)    | New Python projects; fastest onboarding path       |
| Ingestion-config streaming | gRPC       | Yes (registered via API) | Any language; high-throughput production streaming |
| Protobuf ingestion         | gRPC       | Yes (compiled .proto)    | Teams with an existing protobuf telemetry pipeline |
| Schemaless ingestion       | REST       | No                       | Quick experiments; low-volume or ad-hoc data       |
| Influx Line Protocol       | HTTP       | No                       | Teams already using an Influx client               |
| Import                     | REST/HTTPS | No                       | Historical data; batch uploads from files or URLs  |

## Related topics

* [Stream your first telemetry data with Python](/documentation/ingest/stream/stream-your-first-telemetry-data-with-python)
* [Stream telemetry from a running application](/documentation/ingest/stream/stream-telemetry-from-a-running-application)
* [Client library reference](/documentation/reference/stream/client-library-reference)