Apache DolphinScheduler vs Kestra (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Apache DolphinScheduler 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 which features you need.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on all five counts.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Apache DolphinScheduler
Open-source workflow scheduler for data pipelines
Free
Which one is for you
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
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 DolphinSchedulerFair | 2.4GPAKestraFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C$0 under an Apache 2 licence, but it's software you host yourself, which needs a server. That puts it in the middle. | 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 | BFree software with no paid tier at all. It costs nothing but the machines you run it on. | BFree to self-host under Apache 2.0, with unlimited flows and executions. You pay for the server. |
| Features | BDrag-and-drop workflows, a Python SDK, an open API, versioning, many task types and multi-tenancy. The core job is covered. | 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. You install and operate the platform yourself. | DFlows are YAML, and self-hosting means running and upgrading it yourself. |
| Platforms and integrations | BWeb interface, with a Python SDK and open API, and 7 integrations. | BWeb interface with plugins for PostgreSQL, MySQL, Kafka, Terraform, dbt, Spark and Redis. No desktop or phone app. |
| Best for | scheduling data workflows you host yourself | workflows 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 DolphinScheduler and Kestra. How we grade
Where they differ
- Apache DolphinScheduler also covers job scheduling.
In commonFree planWebOpen sourceSelf-hostablePublic APIWorkflow automation
At a glance
| Apache DolphinScheduler | Kestra | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan |
| Starts at | Free | Not published |
| Free plan | None | The open-source edition is free to self-host, with unlimited flows and executions. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| Made by | The Apache Software Foundation | Kestra |
| Price read from | github.com | kestra.io |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
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.
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 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.
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 DolphinScheduler
Open source$0
Apache 2 licensed software you host yourself. The project lists no paid plans or hosted service.
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 DolphinScheduler or Kestra?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Apache DolphinScheduler is free, and Kestra publishes no starting price.
Which has a free plan, Apache DolphinScheduler or Kestra?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Apache DolphinScheduler 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.