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Dask vs Polars
The same facts for both, read from GitHub every night, and the relation a person reviewed.
| Fact | Dask | Polars |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Python | Rust |
| Licence | BSD-3-Clause | MIT |
| Stars | 14k | 40k |
| Latest | 2026.8.0 | py-2.0.0 |
| Last push | 2026-09-29 | 2026-10-06 |
| Release cadence | about 4 days between releases | about 21 days between releases |
| Active contributors | 5 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days | 56+ commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days |
| Flags | none | none |
How they relate
Both replace pandas. Alternatives to pandas →
PartialDaskpandas-like DataFrames split into partitions, processed in parallel or on a cluster, with part of the pandas API.
Full replacementPolarsMulti-threaded DataFrames with lazy queries, in Rust with Python bindings, and a different API.
Dask
Polars
- py-2.0.02026-10-06Python Polars 2.0.0
- py-2.0.0-rc.22026-09-20Python Polars 2.0.0-rc.2pre-release
- py-1.44.22026-09-09Python Polars 1.44.2
- py-2.0.0-rc.12026-09-02Python Polars 2.0.0-rc.1pre-release
- py-1.44.12026-08-26Python Polars 1.44.1
Dask
unsigned The latest release, 2026.8.0, carries no signature GitHub could verify.
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Polars
✓ signed The latest release, py-2.0.0, carries a signature GitHub verified.
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