Freedom251 › Data Lineage Tools
Spline
What Spline is
Spline is a free, open-source tool for tracking data lineage and pipeline structure. Its agents support Apache Spark and functions written in Python 3.9 or newer, with a proof-of-concept adapter for OpenLineage metadata. Agents send pipeline metadata to the server through HTTP REST or Kafka; the Consumer API makes lineage data available to the web UI and third-party applications. Spline processes lineage data into graphs for viewing. The server stores data in ArangoDB and requires version 3.11 or newer. Components are available as Docker containers and JAR or WAR artifacts, and the server can run in a standard Java environment. The project identifies regulatory requirements, documenting business logic, and finding performance bottlenecks as use cases. By default, the Spark agent tracks persistent writes, such as output to files, Hive tables, or databases. SSL certificate validation is enabled by default, and the documentation says not to turn it off in production. Hosted by AbsaOSS, the project lists an Apache-2.0 license and a free self-hosted plan at no cost.
Who it suits
Spline suits teams that need lineage records for compliance, business logic documentation, or performance investigations. It fits environments using Spark or Python functions and able to run its self-hosted components with ArangoDB.
What it does well
- Tracks lineage from Apache Spark and Python functions.
- Lineage graphs are available through a web UI.
- Metadata can travel over HTTP REST or Kafka.
- Components are available as Docker, JAR, or WAR artifacts.
- Free and open source under Apache-2.0.
What to know first
- ArangoDB 3.11 or newer is required.
- Spark tracking defaults to persistent writes only.
- OpenLineage support is a proof-of-concept adapter.
- The Kafka gateway is optional, requiring another transport choice.
Limits
The Spark agent tracks persistent writes by default, such as writes to files, Hive tables, or databases. The server requires ArangoDB 3.11 or newer; the OpenLineage adapter is identified as proof of concept.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Spline | Free and open-source tool; self-hosted components | Free |
As absaoss.github.io lists them, read 10 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Spline project website.
- Select deployment artifacts: Docker containers, JAR, or WAR components.
- Prepare ArangoDB version 3.11 or newer for the server.
- Configure an agent for Apache Spark or a Python 3.9-or-newer function.
- Send metadata to the server using HTTP REST or Kafka.
Verdict
Spline provides a self-hosted path from pipeline metadata to lineage graphs and API access. Check the ArangoDB requirement and the Spark agent’s default tracking scope when assessing fit.
Questions
Does Spline cost anything?
Its plan is listed as free, and the tool is free and open source with self-hosted components.
What license does it use?
The project repository lists the Apache-2.0 license.
Which systems can its agents track?
The project provides agents for Apache Spark and arbitrary functions written in Python 3.9 or newer. It also has a proof-of-concept adapter for OpenLineage metadata.
Where is lineage data stored?
Spline Server stores lineage data in ArangoDB, and version 3.11 or newer is required.
How does metadata reach the server?
Agents use the Producer API over HTTP REST or Kafka. The Kafka gateway is optional.
Who hosts the project?
It is hosted in the AbsaOSS GitHub organization, described as ABSA Open Source and located in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Facts from Spline's own pages
- Deployment
- Components are available as Docker containers and JAR or WAR artifacts, and the server can run in a standard Java environment. · absaoss.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Framework support
- The project provides agents for Apache Spark and arbitrary functions written in Python 3.9 or newer, plus a proof-of-concept adapter for OpenLineage metadata. · absaoss.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository lists the project under the Apache-2.0 license. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Lineage flow
- Agents send pipeline metadata to the server through its Producer API using HTTP REST or Kafka, and the Consumer API makes lineage data available to the UI and third-party applications. · absaoss.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The project is hosted in the AbsaOSS GitHub organization, described as ABSA Open Source and located in Johannesburg, South Africa. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Spline is a free, open-source tool for automatically tracking data lineage and data pipeline structure. · absaoss.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Security configuration
- SSL certificate validation is enabled by default, and the documentation says not to disable it in production. · absaoss.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Spark tracking limit
- By default, the Spark agent tracks only persistent writes, such as writes to files, Hive tables, or databases. · absaoss.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Spline Server stores lineage data in ArangoDB, with ArangoDB version 3.11 or newer required. · absaoss.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Transport integration
- Agents can send lineage metadata over HTTP REST or Kafka; the Kafka gateway is optional. · absaoss.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- The project identifies regulatory requirements, documenting business logic, and finding performance bottlenecks as target problems. · absaoss.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
- Visualization
- Spline processes lineage data into graph form and provides a web UI for viewing it. · absaoss.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
Where Spline stands on Freedom251
- Data Lineage Tools#11 of 43