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Apache Airflow vs Kestra (2026): which should you pick?

As of Nov 13, 2026, Apache Airflow and Kestra share a 2.4 GPA, both have a free plan and their prices can't be set side by side, so the choice depends on whether you care more about the free plan, where Apache Airflow grades higher, or features, where Kestra does.

Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and 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

Free
Full detailsairflow.apache.org

Kestra

Open-source workflow orchestration platform defined in YAML

Free plan
Full detailskestra.io

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 Kestra if

  • Fits if you are an engineer who wants to own the orchestrator
  • Works for data teams already using dbt, Spark or Kafka

Look elsewhere if

  • Skip it if you do not write YAML or run servers
  • Tight if you need SSO, roles, audit logs or multi-tenancy, as those are Enterprise
  • Watch out: no Cloud or Enterprise price is published
  • Watch out: you run and upgrade the platform yourself

How we grade them

2.4GPAApache AirflowFair2.4GPAKestraFair
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.
CThe open-source edition is $0 but needs your own servers, which is a C. Cloud and Enterprise prices are not published.
Free plan and trial
AFree outright with no caps from the project. The cost is the hosting, not the software.
BFree to self-host under Apache 2.0, with unlimited flows and executions. You pay for the server.
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.
BDeclarative workflows, code and no-code editors, event-driven scheduling and over 2,600 plugins. Nothing in the listing shows a gap in the core work.
Ease of use
DNo store rating on record. Workflows are written in Python and you install and operate it yourself.
DFlows are YAML, and self-hosting means running and upgrading it yourself.
Platforms and integrations
BWeb interface, with integrations for Google Cloud, AWS and Azure. No phone apps and no desktop app.
BWeb interface with plugins for PostgreSQL, MySQL, Kafka, Terraform, dbt, Spark and Redis. No desktop or phone app.
Best forscheduling Python workflows you host yourselfworkflows defined in YAML

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 Kestra. How we grade

Where they differ

    In commonFree planWebOpen sourceSelf-hostablePublic APIWorkflow automation

    At a glance

    Apache AirflowKestra
    PricingFreeFree plan
    Starts atFreeNot published
    Free planNoneThe open-source edition is free to self-host, with unlimited flows and executions.
    Free trialNone listedNone listed
    Web
    Made byApache Software FoundationKestra
    Price read fromairflow.apache.orgkestra.io
    CheckedNov 13, 2026Nov 12, 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.

    Kestra

    • No Cloud or Enterprise price is published; Cloud is by access request and Enterprise by contact with sales.
    • SSO, role-based access, audit logs and multi-tenancy are Enterprise Edition features.
    • Workflows are defined in YAML, so it assumes engineering skills.
    • Self-hosting means running and upgrading the platform yourself.

    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.

    Kestra

    Declarative workflows
    Workflows, triggers and dependencies are written as YAML, versioned in Git and deployed through CI/CD.
    Code and no-code editors
    Flows can be written in code or built in a visual editor.
    Event-driven scheduling
    Flows run on schedules, on events or through the API, with retries, backfills and failure handling.
    2,600+ plugins
    Plugins and scripts orchestrate SQL, Python, shell, APIs, Terraform, dbt and Spark in one workflow.
    AI features
    An MCP server for AI agents is in open source; an agentic AI copilot on any LLM is an Enterprise feature.
    Enterprise governance
    Enterprise adds SSO, LDAP and SCIM, role-based access, audit logs, multi-tenancy and secrets management.

    Plans

    Apache Airflow

    • Open source$0

      Apache-2.0 licensed software you install and run yourself; hosting and operations costs are yours.

    Kestra

    • Open Source$0

      Self-hosted under Apache 2.0. Unlimited flows and executions, queue on PostgreSQL or MySQL.

    • CloudCustom

      Managed by Kestra with scaling and enterprise plugins; priced by usage, access by request.

    • Enterprise EditionCustom

      Annual subscription per instance, with SSO, RBAC, audit logs, worker groups and SLA support.

    Common questions

    Which is cheaper, Apache Airflow or Kestra?

    As of Nov 13, 2026, Apache Airflow is free, and Kestra publishes no starting price.

    Which has a free plan, Apache Airflow or Kestra?

    As of Nov 13, 2026, both Apache Airflow and Kestra 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.
    How we review and grade