Apache Airflow vs Apache DolphinScheduler (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Apache Airflow and Apache DolphinScheduler share a 2.4 GPA, both are free, so the choice depends on whether you care more about the free plan, where Apache Airflow grades higher, or features, where Apache DolphinScheduler does.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on value for money, ease of use and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Apache Airflow
Open-source platform for authoring and scheduling workflows in Python
Apache DolphinScheduler
Open-source workflow scheduler for data pipelines
Which one is for you
Pick Apache Airflow if
- Fits if you write Python and already run your own servers
- Works for teams that want workflows defined as code with no licence fee
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want a drag-and-drop builder, as workflows are Python only
- Not for you if you have nobody to install, upgrade and secure it
- Tight if you need paid support, because the project lists community help only
- Watch out: managed hosting means a separate vendor and a separate bill
Pick Apache DolphinScheduler if
- Fits if your team already runs batch and data jobs on its own servers
- Works for engineers who want a scheduler with workflow dependencies and an API
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you don't want to host software, since there's no hosted edition
- Not for you if you need paid support, as help comes from GitHub issues and mailing lists
- Too light on hand-holding for non-technical people: it's aimed at data and batch work, not no-code app automation
- Watch out: the project's main page is a docs site, so we read little beyond the listing
How we grade them
| 2.4GPAApache AirflowFair | 2.4GPAApache DolphinSchedulerFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CNo licence fee, but it only runs if you host it, so you pay for a server and someone's time. Managed versions such as Astro are billed separately. | C$0 under an Apache 2 licence, but it's software you host yourself, which needs a server. That puts it in the middle. |
| Free plan and trial | AFree outright with no caps from the project. The cost is the hosting, not the software. | BFree software with no paid tier at all. It costs nothing but the machines you run it on. |
| Features | CScheduling, monitoring and a large set of integrations for clouds. There's no visual builder in the core project, and the site lists no paid support plan. | BDrag-and-drop workflows, a Python SDK, an open API, versioning, many task types and multi-tenancy. The core job is covered. |
| Ease of use | DNo store rating on record. Workflows are written in Python and you install and operate it yourself. | DNo store rating on record. You install and operate the platform yourself. |
| Platforms and integrations | BWeb interface, with integrations for Google Cloud, AWS and Azure. No phone apps and no desktop app. | BWeb interface, with a Python SDK and open API, and 7 integrations. |
| Best for | scheduling Python workflows you host yourself | scheduling data workflows you host yourself |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Apache Airflow and Apache DolphinScheduler. How we grade
Price against what you get
Apache Airflow has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Apache DolphinScheduler has no paid plan and scores 2.3.
Apache DolphinScheduler scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other automation tools on the chart, none scores higher than Apache Airflow for less, and none scores higher than Apache DolphinScheduler for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- Apache DolphinScheduler also covers job scheduling.
At a glance
| Apache Airflow | Apache DolphinScheduler | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | None | None |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| Made by | Apache Software Foundation | The Apache Software Foundation |
| Price read from | airflow.apache.org | github.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Apache Airflow
- You install, upgrade, secure and scale it yourself unless you buy a managed service such as Astronomer's Astro.
- The project's site lists a community, meetups and a Slack for help; it offers no paid support plan.
- Defining workflows requires Python knowledge; there is no visual builder in the core project.
Apache DolphinScheduler
- It is self-hosted software with no hosted edition listed on the project pages, so your team installs and runs it.
- The project page is a documentation site; support comes through GitHub issues and mailing lists, not a paid plan.
- It is aimed at data and batch workflows, not at no-code app-to-app automation for non-technical users.
Key features
Apache Airflow
- Pipelines as Python code
- Workflows are written in Python, so loops and date logic can generate tasks dynamically, with Jinja templating built in for parameters.
- Web interface
- A web application shows the status and logs of running and finished tasks, and lets you schedule and manage workflows.
- Scalable architecture
- A modular design with a message queue lets Airflow spread work over any number of workers.
- Provider integrations
- Ready-made operators cover Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and other third-party services, and you can write your own.
- AI provider
- The Common AI provider reached 1.0 in October 2026, covering agents, sandboxes, human approval and retries for LLM work in pipelines.
Apache DolphinScheduler
- Drag-and-drop workflow editor
- Workflows are created and managed in a web interface by drag and drop, with a tree view that shows how tasks depend on each other.
- Python SDK and open API
- Besides the web interface, workflows can be defined with a Python SDK or managed through the project's open API.
- Multi-master, multi-worker design
- The architecture is decentralized with several masters and workers, and the project says it scales horizontally.
- Versioning and state control
- Workflows and individual workflow instances are versioned, and runs can be paused, stopped, recovered or backfilled from the web interface.
- Built-in task types and data sources
- A range of task types ships with the product, and data sources such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Hive and Trino can be connected.
- Multi-tenancy and permissions
- The project lists multi-tenancy and permission control by project and data source.
Plans
Apache Airflow
Open source$0
Apache-2.0 licensed software you install and run yourself; hosting and operations costs are yours.
Apache DolphinScheduler
Open source$0
Apache 2 licensed software you host yourself. The project lists no paid plans or hosted service.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Apache Airflow or Apache DolphinScheduler?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Apache Airflow and Apache DolphinScheduler are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Apache Airflow or Apache DolphinScheduler?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Apache Airflow and Apache DolphinScheduler have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.