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Dagster vs Prefect: catalog facts
DagsterPrefect
Freemium

The open-source core is free; Dagster+ is a paid hosted service.

Freemium

Open source core is free; the hosted platform has a free start and paid plans.

Web, Self-hosted Web, Self-hosted, Command line
  • Asset-based model with lineage and freshness tracking
  • Self-hostable open-source core
  • Plain Python decorators define flows and tasks
  • Built-in retries and scheduling
  • Aimed at data engineering teams, not general automation
  • Announced merger with Prefect makes the roadmap uncertain
  • Aimed at Python users
  • Some features belong to the paid hosted platform
Self-hosted, Hosted service Self-hosted, Hosted service
Open source Open source
License not stated License: Apache-2.0
Not stated if an account is needed Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline Not stated if it works offline

Checked September 23, 2026

Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.