Trigger.dev vs Windmill: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Trigger.dev and Windmill side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Trigger.dev
Background jobs for serverless
Best for you if:
- • You want background jobs made easy
Windmill
Open-source developer platform for scripts
Best for you if:
- • You want open source workflow engine
| At a Glance | Trigger.dev | Windmill |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $10/mo Hobby plan | Free plan |
Category | Developer Tools Serverless | Internal Tools App Builders |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Overage fees for exceeding included usage credits | n/a |
Choose Trigger.dev or Windmill?
Choose Trigger.dev if
- You want background jobs made easy
- You want TypeScript native
- You work in developer tools, not internal tools
Choose Windmill if
- You want open source workflow engine
- You want scripts and flows
- You work in internal tools, not developer tools
In-Depth Analysis
Trigger.dev
Background jobs for serverless
Trigger.dev's pricing model is quite generous, especially for early-stage projects and small teams.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding included usage credits
Strengths
- Pro: Background jobs made easy
- Pro: TypeScript native
- Pro: Good DX
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Newer platform
- Con: Cloud expensive at scale
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Documentation improving
- Con: Smaller community
Key features
Windmill
Open-source developer platform for scripts
Windmill's pricing is very generous, offering a fully functional self-hosted Free tier.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source workflow engine
- Pro: Scripts and flows
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Good UI
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Documentation improving
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Enterprise features limited
- Con: Setup complexity
Key features
Plans and prices: Trigger.dev vs Windmill
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger.dev |
| trigger.dev/pricing read Oct 12, 2026 |
| Windmill | No plan prices on file | windmill.dev/pricing read Oct 20, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Trigger.dev pricing and Windmill pricing.
Key Takeaways
Trigger.dev
- Choose if you want background jobs for serverless
Windmill
- Choose if you want open-source developer platform for scripts
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Trigger.dev starts at $10/mo; Windmill has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Trigger.dev and Windmill compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Trigger.dev starts at $10/mo; Windmill has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Trigger.dev and Windmill used for?
Trigger.dev: Background jobs for serverless. Windmill: Open-source developer platform for scripts.
What does Trigger.dev cost vs Windmill?
Trigger.dev's cheapest paid plan is Hobby at $10/mo; it also has a free plan. Windmill has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 20, 2026.
What's the main difference between Trigger.dev and Windmill?
Trigger.dev's main strength: background jobs made easy. Windmill's main strength: open source workflow engine.