compare
Apache Airflow vs Prefect
The same facts for both, read from GitHub every night, and the relation a person reviewed.
| Fact | Apache Airflow | Prefect |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Python | Python |
| Licence | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Stars | 47k | 24k |
| Latest | 3.3.2 | 3.8.8 |
| Last push | 2026-10-06 | 2026-10-06 |
| Release cadence | about 36 days between releases | too few releases |
| Active contributors | 133+ commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days | 51 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days |
| Flags | none | none |
How they relate
Prefect replaces Apache Airflow. Alternatives to Apache Airflow →
Full replacementWorkflows as plain Python functions with decorators, without DAG files.
Apache Airflow
- 3.3.22026-09-17Apache Airflow 3.3.2
- 3.3.12026-08-12Apache Airflow 3.3.1
- java-sdk/1.0.0-beta12026-07-13Apache Airflow Java SDK 1.0.0-beta1pre-release
- 3.3.02026-07-06Apache Airflow 3.3.0
- helm-chart/1.22.02026-06-13Apache Airflow Helm Chart 1.22.0
Prefect
- 3.8.82026-10-063.8.8 - I take my wildcards literally
- 3.8.8.dev42026-10-063.8.8.dev4: Nightly Development Releasepre-release
- 3.8.8.dev32026-10-023.8.8.dev3: Nightly Development Releasepre-release
- 3.8.8.dev22026-10-013.8.8.dev2: Nightly Development Releasepre-release
- 3.8.8.dev12026-09-303.8.8.dev1: Nightly Development Releasepre-release
Apache Airflow
unsigned The latest release, 3.3.2, carries no signature GitHub could verify.
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Prefect
✓ signed The latest release, 3.8.8, carries a signature GitHub verified.
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