SHSelfHostIndex

Apache DolphinScheduler vs Prefect

A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted automation & workflows options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.

Not the right match-up?
AP Apache DolphinScheduler Distributed visual workflow scheduling platform VS PR Prefect Modern workflow orchestration for data and Python pipelines
FeatureApache DolphinSchedulerPrefect
CategoryAutomation & WorkflowsAutomation & Workflows
LicenseApache-2.0Apache-2.0
LanguageJavaPython
Setup difficultyHardMedium
Min. RAM2,048 MB1,024 MB
Deploymentdocker, kubernetes, bare-metaldocker, kubernetes, helm
GitHub stars★ 14,412★ 23,573
First released20192018
ReplacesAWS Step Functions, Azure Data FactoryAWS Step Functions, Azure Data Factory

Why pick each one

Choose Apache DolphinScheduler if…

  • Friendly visual interface
  • Scales horizontally
Apache DolphinScheduler details

Choose Prefect if…

  • Pleasant developer experience
  • Flexible dynamic workflows
Prefect details

Frequently asked questions

Is Apache DolphinScheduler or Prefect better?

Prefect is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Apache DolphinScheduler if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are Apache DolphinScheduler and Prefect free and open-source?

Yes. Apache DolphinScheduler is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Prefect under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run Apache DolphinScheduler and Prefect with Docker?

Apache DolphinScheduler: yes. Prefect: yes.

Related comparisons