compare
Apache DolphinScheduler vs Prefect
The same facts for both, read from GitHub every night, and the relation a person reviewed.
| Fact | Apache DolphinScheduler | Prefect |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Java | Python |
| Licence | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Stars | 15k | 24k |
| Latest | 3.4.3 | 3.8.8 |
| Last push | 2026-10-06 | 2026-10-06 |
| Release cadence | about 88 days between releases | too few releases |
| Active contributors | 25 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
Both replace Apache Airflow. Alternatives to Apache Airflow →
Full replacementApache DolphinSchedulerWorkflows drawn in a web UI or written with a Python SDK, with multi-tenant scheduling.
Full replacementPrefectWorkflows as plain Python functions with decorators, without DAG files.
Apache DolphinScheduler
- 3.4.32026-09-06[DSIP-107][Scheduler] Add schedule missed fire policy (#18464) @liang-wenjie
- 3.4.22026-05-30[DSIP-37] Disable HTTP TRACE requests in jetty via configuration (#18119) @SbloodyS
- 3.4.12026-03-01[DSIP-104][API&UI] Suggest remove import and export function (#17941) @SbloodyS
- 3.4.02026-01-20[DSIP-88][Auth] Enhancing Apache DolphinScheduler with Generalized OIDC Authentication (#17340) @tusaryan
- 3.3.22025-10-26[Improvement-17447] Remove unused task definition doc (#17448) @SbloodyS
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 DolphinScheduler
unsigned The latest release, 3.4.3, 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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