Side by side
Huey vs River
Both stand on task queue software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Self-hosted
Huey provides scheduling, retries, task controls, and workflow composition for Python projects, with framework integrations and multiple worker models. Its core has no dependencies beyond Python’s standard library, while some storage backends need additional client libraries.
Visit Huey Free plan Self-hostedWeb
River focuses on transactional job processing for Go, with a free core and additional workflow and operational features in Pro. Check database support and plan limits against your application needs.
Visit RiverThe facts
| Huey | River | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Self-hosted | Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Pro: $125 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | huey.readthedocs.io | riverqueue.com |
| On task queue software | #22 of 37 | #26 of 37 |
Huey: what it does well
- Supports multiple storage backends, including SQLite and PostgreSQL.
- Offers retries with configurable delays and backoff.
- Supports task pipelines, chains, groups, and chords.
- Workers can use processes, threads, or greenlets.
- Open source and free.
What to know first
- Redis-like brokers require their client libraries.
- PostgreSQL requires its client library.
- Runs as a self-hosted deployment.
River: what it does well
- Jobs wait for their database transaction to complete
- Core plan includes retries and recurring cron jobs
- Optional web interface is self-hosted
- Pro adds workflows and concurrency limits
- Open Source plan is free
What to know first
- Open Source excludes workflows and concurrency limits
- Open Source includes no support
- SQLite support is experimental
- Pro costs $125 a month