Side by side
Apache Airflow vs Flyte
Both stand on workflow orchestration software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxMac+2
Airflow is built for scheduled Python batch workflows, with operational controls and a broad set of provider packages. Its deployment support is Linux-based, and secret-backend integrations are read-only.
Visit Apache Airflow
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
Pick Flyte if you want a Python-based runtime for durable AI workflows and need local or cluster deployment. The free OSS plan provides the runtime, while teams needing the listed Team capacity, retention, or support should account for the monthly minimum plus usage; Enterprise pricing is custom.
Visit FlyteThe facts
| Apache Airflow | Flyte | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | See the plans |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | airflow.apache.org | flyte.org |
| On workflow orchestration software | #7 of 38 | #3 of 38 |
Apache Airflow: what it does well
- Free to download and use under the Apache License.
- Supports manual triggers, backfills, and reruns.
- Operators connect to major cloud services.
- More than 80 provider packages are available.
- Credentials are masked in Airflow 3 and later.
What to know first
- Workflows must be defined in Python code.
- Designed for scheduled batch workflows.
- Secret-backend integrations do not allow writes.
- Windows deployment is unsupported except WSL2 development.
Flyte: what it does well
- Free Apache 2.0 runtime for local or cluster use.
- Workflows use Python async functions and TaskEnvironment declarations.
- Resumes failed tasks and recovers from listed infrastructure failures.
- Supports dynamic branching, loops, and runtime decisions.
- Integrates with serving frameworks and AI, data, and ML tools.
What to know first
- Team costs $950 a month plus usage.
- Team limits runs to 25,000 fanout actions and 1,000 concurrent actions.
- Team includes one cluster and 30-day data retention.
- Enterprise pricing is custom.
Alternatives to Apache Airflow Alternatives to Flyte The whole list