Kestra review

Kestra is the pick when n8n has turned into a scheduler for data jobs and infrastructure tasks. Workflows, triggers and dependencies are defined declaratively as code, so they can be versioned, reviewed and promoted across environments, and the same flows can be edited in a no-code editor. Kestra lists 2,600+ plugins covering SQL, Python, shell, APIs, Terraform, dbt and Spark, plus an MCP server for AI agents. The open source edition is published under the Apache 2.0 license with unlimited flows and executions and a queue on PostgreSQL or MySQL. Enterprise Edition is an annual subscription per instance, again with unlimited flows, tasks and executions, and adds SSO, LDAP, SCIM, RBAC, audit logs, worker groups and secrets management. Kestra Cloud is a managed version for teams that do not want to run it. Paid prices are by quote, and the tool is built for engineers rather than business staff.

Who it is for

Platform and data teams that want event-driven orchestration with unlimited executions on their own infrastructure.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Declarative workflows defined as code
• 2,600+ plugins for SQL, Python, Terraform, dbt, Spark and APIs
• Code and no-code editors on the same workflows
• MCP server for AI agents
• Runs in the cloud, on-prem or air-gapped

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Open source under the Apache 2.0 license
• Strength: Unlimited flows and executions in the open source edition
• Strength: Enterprise is priced per instance, not per run
• Weakness: Enterprise and Cloud prices are by quote only
• Weakness: Aimed at engineers, not business users
• Weakness: SSO, RBAC and audit logs need Enterprise

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, open source edition
• Plugins: 2,600+
• License: Apache 2.0
• Enterprise pricing: Annual subscription per instance
• Billing unit: Per instance, unlimited executions

Where it ranks

Kestra is No. 6 in our Best n8n Alternatives verdict.