Hello Luca! Enabling Replication Cockpit (and the resulting delta transformations) also enables delta loading in the Data Model. Essentially, moving to replication should enable the fastest possible response to source system changes. See this doc: Delta Data Model Loads (celonis.com)

However, if your requirement can be met without the need for replication, then certainly doing delta extractions will be easier to configure and maintain. Check your data growth expectations to determine if you will need replication in the future.

In my experience, "real time" analytics usually means "within a day/hour" of source system changes. In execution management, however, there are use cases that need a near real time response (ie: Action Flows).