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Meltano vs Airbyte: Which Should You Choose in 2026?

Choosing between Meltano and Airbyte 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:

Meltano

Open-source data integration platform

Best for you if:

  • • 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

Airbyte

Open-source data integration platform for ELT pipelines

Best for you if:

  • • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.4/10)
  • • You need api tools features specifically
  • Open-source data integration
  • ELT from any source to any destination
At a Glance
MeltanoMeltano
AirbyteAirbyte
Price
FreeFree + Paid
Best For
Workflow AutomationAPI Tools
Rating
84/10085/100
FeatureMeltanoAirbyte
Pricing ModelFreeFreemium
Editorial Score
84
85
Community RatingNo ratings yetNo ratings yet
Total Reviews00
Community Upvotes
0
0
Categories
Workflow AutomationETL & Data Pipelines
API ToolsLow-Code Backend

How Meltano and Airbyte Compare

Meltano

Open-source data integration platform

Free · 84/100 score

Airbyte

Open-source data integration platform for ELT pipelines

Free tier available · 85/100 score

Meltano is a workflow automation tool. Airbyte is in api tools.

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

Meltano is free. Airbyte is freemium.

Go with: Meltano

Want the highest-rated option?

Meltano: 84/100. Airbyte: 85/100.

Go with: Airbyte

Value user reviews?

Neither has user reviews yet.

Go with: Airbyte

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Meltano is free. Airbyte is freemium. Go with Meltano if free matters most.

2

What's your use case?

Meltano is a workflow automation tool. Airbyte is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.

3

How important are ratings?

Airbyte scores higher: 85/100 vs 84/100.

Key Takeaways

Airbyte

  • Higher score: 85/100 vs 84
  • Free tier available
  • Our pick for this comparison

Meltano

  • Completely free
  • Better fit for workflow automation

The Bottom Line

Airbyte (85/100) is our pick. That said, Meltano is free — hard to beat on price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Meltano or Airbyte better?

Airbyte scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Meltano is free and Airbyte is freemium.

What are Meltano and Airbyte used for?

Meltano: Open-source data integration platform. Airbyte: Open-source data integration platform for ELT pipelines.

What does Meltano cost vs Airbyte?

Meltano is completely free. Airbyte is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

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