Apache Airflow alternatives

Price against what you get

How each one differs from Apache Airflow

1. 

   Prefect

   Python workflow orchestration with an open-source core and a cloud

   • Prefect starts at $100 per month, billed monthly (Starter, 3 users).
   • Prefect also covers AI agents.

   Suits: Python data and ML teams moving scripts into scheduled, monitored workflows

   Prefect vs Apache AirflowPrefect pricing and details
2. 

   Dagster

   Asset-based data orchestration platform, now part of Prefect

   • Dagster starts at $10 per month plus $0.040 per credit (Solo).
   • Dagster has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Apache Airflow.
   • Dagster also covers dashboards.

   Suits: Data engineering teams that think in tables and models rather than tasks

   Dagster vs Apache AirflowDagster pricing and details
3. 

   Astronomer

   Managed Apache Airflow platform (Astro) with usage-based pricing

   • Astronomer starts at $0.35 per hour for a Developer deployment, plus worker hours billed separately.
   • Astronomer has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Apache Airflow.
   • Astronomer also covers AI agents and dashboards.

   Suits: Data teams that want Apache Airflow without running the scheduler themselves

   Astronomer vs Apache AirflowAstronomer pricing and details
4. 

   Kestra

   Open-source workflow orchestration platform defined in YAML

   Suits: Data and platform engineers who want workflows as code

   Kestra vs Apache AirflowKestra pricing and details
5. 

   Windmill

   Open-source platform for scripts, workflows and internal apps

   • Windmill starts at $10 per seat / month (Cloud Team); self-hosted Pro from $48 / month.
   • Windmill also covers AI agents and app builder.

   Suits: Engineering teams that want internal tools and automations kept as code

   Windmill vs Apache AirflowWindmill pricing and details
6. 

   Apache Camel

   Open-source Java framework for integration routes

   • Apache Camel is free.
   • Apache Camel also lists Linux, macOS and Windows apps.
   • Apache Camel lists no web app, which Apache Airflow has.

   Suits: Java teams wiring together messaging, databases and APIs

   Apache Camel vs Apache AirflowApache Camel pricing and details
7. 

   Apache DolphinScheduler

   Open-source workflow scheduler for data pipelines

   • Apache DolphinScheduler is free.
   • Apache DolphinScheduler also covers job scheduling.

   Suits: Data engineering teams running dependent batch pipelines

   Apache DolphinScheduler vs Apache AirflowApache DolphinScheduler pricing and details
8. 

   Apache NiFi

   Open-source system for routing and processing data flows

   • Apache NiFi is free.
   • Apache NiFi also lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.

   Suits: Teams that run their own infrastructure and need auditable data routing

   Apache NiFi vs Apache AirflowApache NiFi pricing and details
9. 

   Argo Workflows

   Open-source container-native workflow engine for Kubernetes

   • Argo Workflows is free.
   • Argo Workflows also covers job scheduling.

   Suits: Platform and data teams that already run Kubernetes

   Argo Workflows vs Apache AirflowArgo Workflows pricing and details
10. 

    Rundeck

    Runbook automation and job scheduling for IT operations

    • Rundeck also lists Windows, Linux and macOS apps.
    • Rundeck also covers job scheduling.

    Suits: Operations and DevOps teams standardizing runbooks and self-service tasks

    Rundeck vs Apache AirflowRundeck pricing and details
11. 

    StackStorm

    Open-source event-driven automation for DevOps and SRE teams

    • StackStorm is free.
    • StackStorm also lists a Linux app.

    Suits: DevOps and SRE teams automating remediation and incident response

    StackStorm vs Apache AirflowStackStorm pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Apache Airflow