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 |  Meltano |  Airbyte |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Workflow Automation | API Tools |
Rating | 84/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Meltano | Airbyte |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| 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
What's your budget?
Meltano is free. Airbyte is freemium. Go with Meltano if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Meltano is a workflow automation tool. Airbyte is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
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.