Apache NiFi vs Dagster: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Apache NiFi and Dagster side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Apache NiFi leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Apache NiFi
Automate data flow between systems with visual interface
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Dagster requires payment)
Dagster
Data orchestration platform for ML pipelines
| At a Glance | Apache NiFi | Dagster |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | From $10/mo flat, billed monthly Solo plan |
Category | ETL & Data Pipelines Workflow Automation | ETL & Data Pipelines Workflow Automation |
Rating | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 26 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Overage fees: $0.04/credit for Solo, $0.03/credit for Starter. |
Choose Apache NiFi or Dagster?
Choose Apache NiFi if
- You want a fully free tool (Dagster requires payment)
- You want to automate data flow between systems with visual interface
Choose Dagster if
- You need ETL & data pipelines features specifically.
In-Depth Analysis
Apache NiFi
Automate data flow between systems with visual interface
Apache NiFi's pricing is exceptionally generous as it is entirely open-source with a starting price of $0.
Strengths
- Pro: Data flow automation
- Pro: Visual interface
- Pro: Many processors
- Pro: Enterprise proven
- Pro: Open source
Weaknesses
- Con: Heavy resource usage
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Complex for simple tasks
- Con: UI dated
- Con: Java dependency
Key features
Dagster
Data orchestration platform for ML pipelines
Dagster's pricing model is fair and generous, especially with its robust Open Source offering and significant free credits in the Solo and Starter tiers.
Watch out
Overage fees: $0.04/credit for Solo, $0.03/credit for Starter.
Strengths
- Pro: Modern data orchestration
- Pro: Good DX
- Pro: Asset-centric
- Pro: Type system
- Pro: Good documentation
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Newer than Airflow
- Con: Cloud expensive
- Con: Ecosystem smaller
- Con: Resource intensive
Key features
Plans and prices: Apache NiFi vs Dagster
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Apache NiFi |
| nifi.apache.org read Oct 2, 2026 |
| Dagster |
| dagster.io/pricing read Nov 4, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Apache NiFi pricing and Dagster pricing.
Key Takeaways
Apache NiFi
- Has a free plan
Dagster
- Worth considering for ETL & data pipelines
What the data shows
On the data below, Apache NiFi leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only Apache NiFi has a published user rating (4.2/5 from 26 reviews); Dagster has none we can show.
- Dagster starts at $10/mo flat, billed monthly; Apache NiFi has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Apache NiFi has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Apache NiFi and Dagster compare in 2026?
On the data below, Apache NiFi leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only Apache NiFi has a published user rating (4.2/5 from 26 reviews); Dagster has none we can show. Dagster starts at $10/mo flat, billed monthly; Apache NiFi has no public paid plan price on file. Only Apache NiFi has a free plan.
What are Apache NiFi and Dagster used for?
Apache NiFi: Automate data flow between systems with visual interface. Dagster: Data orchestration platform for ML pipelines.
What does Apache NiFi cost vs Dagster?
Apache NiFi is free. Dagster's cheapest paid plan is Solo at $10/mo flat, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 4, 2026.
What's the main difference between Apache NiFi and Dagster?
Apache NiFi's main strength: data flow automation. Dagster's main strength: modern data orchestration.
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