Kestra vs Meltano: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Kestra and Meltano 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 22, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Kestra
Open Source Declarative Data Orchestration for all engineers, simplifying workflows with Everything-as-Code.
Best for you if:
- • You need big data analytics features specifically
- • Open-source declarative data orchestration platform for all engineers.
- • Supports Everything-as-Code development via UI, code editor, and AI.
Meltano
Open-source data integration platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need workflow automation features specifically
- • Meltano is an open-source platform for running Singer ELT pipelines
- • It orchestrates data extraction and loading with version-controlled configs
| At a Glance |  Kestra |  Meltano |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Big Data Analytics | Workflow Automation |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Kestra | Meltano |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Big Data AnalyticsWorkflow Automation | Workflow AutomationETL & Data Pipelines |
How Kestra and Meltano Compare
Kestra
Open Source Declarative Data Orchestration for all engineers, simplifying workflows with Everything-as-Code.
Free tier available
Meltano
Open-source data integration platform
Free · 84/100 score
Kestra is a big data analytics tool. Meltano is in workflow automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Meltano is free. Kestra is freemium.
Go with: Meltano
Want the highest-rated option?
Meltano scores 84/100. Kestra is unrated.
Go with: Meltano
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Meltano
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Kestra is freemium. Meltano is free. Go with Meltano if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Kestra is a big data analytics tool. Meltano is in workflow automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Meltano
- Higher score: 84/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Kestra
- Better fit for big data analytics
The Bottom Line
Meltano (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kestra or Meltano better?
Meltano scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Kestra is freemium and Meltano is free.
What are Kestra and Meltano used for?
Kestra: Open Source Declarative Data Orchestration for all engineers, simplifying workflows with Everything-as-Code.. Meltano: Open-source data integration platform.
What does Kestra cost vs Meltano?
Kestra is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Meltano is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.