Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Apache Airflow

airflow.apache.org

Free plan WebmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit airflow.apache.org
Spec score 8.6 #4 of 24 in Workload Automation Software

What it is

Apache Airflow is a platform for authoring, scheduling, and monitoring workflows written in Python. It is designed for batch workflows with a defined beginning and end that run on a schedule. Its web application lets users manage and schedule workflows, trigger DAGs manually, inspect task status and logs, backfill runs, and rerun failed tasks. A modular architecture uses a message queue to coordinate workers and can orchestrate an arbitrary number of them. Built-in operators connect workflows to Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and other services. The community maintains more than 80 separately installable provider packages, which can be upgraded or downgraded independently of Airflow core. Airflow can read connections, variables, and configuration from secret backends, but those integrations do not support writes. JWT authentication is used for its public REST API and internal Execution API. From Airflow 3 onward, sensitive credentials are masked in logs, the interface, and API output. Airflow is free to download and use under the Apache License.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Apache Airflow is a platform for programmatically authoring, scheduling, and monitoring workflows.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Headquarters
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.Read 28 Sep 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Founded
1999Read 28 Sep 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Authentication
Airflow uses JWT authentication for its public REST API and internal Execution API.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Cloud integrations
Built-in plug-and-play operators support Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and other third-party services.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Community support
The project provides learning resources and community support through Slack and mailing lists.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Deployment platforms
Airflow officially supports Linux-based deployment environments; macOS is supported for local development and Windows is unsupported for deployment except WSL2 development.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Operations
The web interface supports manually triggering DAGs, inspecting logs, monitoring task status, backfilling runs, and rerunning failed tasks.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Project history
Airflow began in October 2014 at Airbnb and became an Apache Software Foundation top-level project in January 2019.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Provider releases
Providers can be upgraded or downgraded independently of the Airflow core release.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Providers
The community maintains more than 80 separately installable provider packages.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Scalability
Its modular architecture uses a message queue to orchestrate an arbitrary number of workers.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Secrets
Airflow can read connections, variables, and configuration from secret backends instead of its database, but secret-backend integrations do not allow writes.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Sensitive data
In Airflow 3 and later, sensitive credentials are masked in logs, the UI, and API outputs.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Web interface
Its web application lets users monitor, schedule, and manage workflows and view task status and logs.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Workflow fit
Airflow is intended for batch workflows with a clear start and end that run on a schedule.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org
Workflow language
Airflow workflows are defined in Python code.Read 1 Oct 2026 · airflow.apache.org

Plans and prices

Apache Airflow Free download and use at no cost · Apache License source code Read 1 Oct 2026 · apache.org

Every Apache Airflow plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free to download and use under the Apache License.
  • Web interface supports logs, backfills, and reruns.
  • More than 80 community provider packages are available.
  • Provider packages can change independently of Airflow core.
  • Sensitive credentials are masked from Airflow 3 onward.

Limits

  • Workflows are defined in Python code.
  • Secret-backend integrations do not allow writes.
  • Windows is unsupported for deployment except WSL2 development.

Who it suits

Airflow suits teams with scheduled batch workflows they want to define in Python and operate through a web interface. It is intended for self-hosted deployment in Linux-based environments; macOS is supported for local development, while Windows is limited to WSL2 development.

Verdict

Airflow provides detailed workflow operations, a broad operator ecosystem, and worker coordination for scheduled batch work. Consider its Python workflow model and Linux deployment requirement when deciding whether it fits.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Apache AirflowAll alternatives →