Trigger.dev vs Airplane: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Trigger.dev and Airplane 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:
Trigger.dev
Background jobs for serverless
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • Trigger.dev is an open-source background jobs framework for TypeScript
- • It runs long-running tasks with retries and scheduling
Airplane
Internal tools and workflows platform
Best for you if:
- • You need low-code backend features specifically
- • Build internal tools and workflows without boilerplate
- • Connect to any database, API, or codebase
| At a Glance |  Trigger.dev |  Airplane |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Low-Code Backend |
Rating | 84/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Trigger.dev | Airplane |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentWorkflow Automation | Low-Code BackendWorkflow Automation |
How Trigger.dev and Airplane Compare
Trigger.dev
Background jobs for serverless
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Airplane
Internal tools and workflows platform
Free tier available
Trigger.dev is a hosting & deployment tool. Airplane is in low-code backend.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Trigger.dev
Want the highest-rated option?
Trigger.dev scores 84/100. Airplane is unrated.
Go with: Trigger.dev
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Trigger.dev
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Trigger.dev is a hosting & deployment tool. Airplane is in low-code backend. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Trigger.dev
- Higher score: 84/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Airplane
- Better fit for low-code backend
The Bottom Line
Trigger.dev (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trigger.dev or Airplane better?
Trigger.dev scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Trigger.dev and Airplane used for?
Trigger.dev: Background jobs for serverless. Airplane: Internal tools and workflows platform.
What does Trigger.dev cost vs Airplane?
Trigger.dev is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Airplane is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.