Side by side
Cadence vs Flowable
Both stand on process orchestration software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Cadence combines durable workflow execution with scheduling and a range of deployment and storage integrations. Its replay requirement and self-hosted model are important considerations for teams evaluating it.
Visit CadenceChoose Flowable if your case and process work needs standards-based engines, AI-agent controls, or Java deployment options. Flowable Design and the core engines provide free entry points, and the Agentic Case Platform has a 30-day free-access offer. Its deployment model is best suited to teams able to run Java applications or services.
Visit FlowableThe facts
| Cadence | Flowable | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Flowable Platform: $99 per user a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | cadenceworkflow.io | flowable.com |
| On process orchestration software | #5 of 31 | #1 of 31 |
Cadence: what it does well
- Resumes workflows after failures and pauses
- Offers official Go, Java and Python SDKs
- Supports SQLite, Docker Compose and Kubernetes deployments
- No license key, usage limits or per-execution fee
- Payloads can be encrypted or compressed
What to know first
- Workflow code must be deterministic
- Self-hosted deployment requires operating the infrastructure
Flowable: what it does well
- Engines support BPMN, CMMN, and DMN standards.
- Apache 2.0 licensed engines are written in Java.
- AI controls include runtime guardrails and inspection.
- Connectors directory lists 30 integrations.
- Cloud offers dedicated and shared environments.
What to know first
- The Agentic Case Platform free-access offer lasts 30 days.
- Engines run embedded in Java applications or as server, cluster, or cloud services.
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