Kedro vs Prefect: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Kedro and Prefect comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Kedro
An open-source framework for building production-ready data engineering and data science pipelines.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need etl & data pipelines features specifically
- • Applies software engineering best practices to data and ML pipelines.
- • Provides tools for pipeline visualization, data cataloging, and project standardization.
Prefect
Modern workflow orchestration platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need automation features specifically
- • Prefect is a modern data workflow orchestration platform
- • It schedules and monitors Python data pipelines with observability
| At a Glance |  Kedro |  Prefect |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | ETL & Data Pipelines | Automation |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Kedro | Prefect |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | ETL & Data Pipelines | AutomationWorkflow Automation |
How Kedro and Prefect Compare
Kedro
An open-source framework for building production-ready data engineering and data science pipelines.
Free
Prefect
Modern workflow orchestration platform
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Kedro is a etl & data pipelines tool. Prefect is in automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Kedro is free. Prefect is freemium.
Go with: Kedro
Want the highest-rated option?
Prefect scores 84/100. Kedro is unrated.
Go with: Prefect
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Prefect
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Kedro is free. Prefect is freemium. Go with Kedro if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Kedro is a etl & data pipelines tool. Prefect is in automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Prefect
- Higher score: 84/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Kedro
- Completely free
- Better fit for etl & data pipelines
The Bottom Line
Prefect (84/100) is our pick. That said, Kedro is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kedro or Prefect better?
Prefect scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Kedro is free and Prefect is freemium.
What are Kedro and Prefect used for?
Kedro: An open-source framework for building production-ready data engineering and data science pipelines.. Prefect: Modern workflow orchestration platform.
What does Kedro cost vs Prefect?
Kedro is completely free. Prefect is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.