Trigger.dev vs Steamship: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Trigger.dev and Steamship 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)
- • Trigger.dev is an open-source background jobs framework for TypeScript
- • It runs long-running tasks with retries and scheduling
Steamship
Steamship
Best for you if:
- • You need steamship
- • You want to start free and upgrade later
| At a Glance |  Trigger.dev |  Steamship |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 84/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Trigger.dev | Steamship |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Hosting & DeploymentAI Agents |
How Trigger.dev and Steamship Compare
Trigger.dev
Background jobs for serverless
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Steamship
Steamship
Free tier available
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. Steamship 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?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
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
Steamship
The Bottom Line
Trigger.dev (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trigger.dev or Steamship better?
Trigger.dev scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Trigger.dev and Steamship used for?
Trigger.dev: Background jobs for serverless. Steamship: Steamship.
What does Trigger.dev cost vs Steamship?
Trigger.dev is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Steamship is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.