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Prefect

prefect.io

From $100/mo Free plan WebAPISelf-hosted
Visit prefect.io
Spec score 8.0 #12 of 24 in Workload Automation Software

What it is

Prefect is a workflow orchestration platform for data, machine learning and agent workflows written in Python. Its open-source framework lets users add decorators to existing Python code to create workflows, without a rigid DAG structure or custom DSL. Execution features include state tracking, automatic retries, caching and recovery from failures. For observability, Prefect provides run timelines, logs and alerts for failures, missed SLAs and late runs. Workflows can run on cron or event-driven schedules, support backfills, and be triggered by webhooks, cloud events or state changes. Deployment choices include managed serverless execution, hybrid execution in a customer’s infrastructure, and self-hosted orchestration. In hybrid mode, workers connect through outbound-only connections while code and data stay in the customer’s infrastructure; Prefect Cloud hosts the control plane and metadata. The free Hobby plan is limited to two users, five deployments, 500 minutes of monthly serverless credits and seven days of run retention. Paid plans start at $100/mo.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Prefect is a workflow orchestration platform for data, machine learning, and agents, with workflows written as plain Python.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Integrations
The integrations directory lists AWS, Azure, Bitbucket, Dask, Databricks, dbt, Docker, GCP, GitHub, Kubernetes, Slack, Snowflake, and other integrations.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.prefect.io
Security
Prefect states that it is SOC 2 Type II certified and GDPR compliant, and describes itself as HIPAA ready.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Support
The pricing comparison lists Community as Hobby's support channel, and the homepage says every enterprise plan has a 30-minute response SLA.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Founded
2018Read 28 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Durable execution
Prefect describes durable execution features including state tracking, automatic retries, caching, and recovery from failures.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Execution options
Prefect Cloud offers managed serverless execution or hybrid execution in a customer's infrastructure, and Prefect also offers self-hosted orchestration.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Hybrid data control
In hybrid execution, workers poll through outbound-only connections while code and data remain in the customer's infrastructure; Prefect Cloud hosts the control plane and metadata.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Monitoring
Prefect provides workflow observability with run timelines, logs, and alerts for failures, SLA misses, and late runs.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Open-source license
Prefect says its open-source engine is licensed under Apache 2.0 and can be used, modified, and distributed commercially.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Plan limits
The Hobby plan includes 2 users, 1 workspace, 5 deployments, 500 minutes per month of Serverless credits, and 7 days of run retention.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Python framework
The open-source Prefect framework lets users turn existing Python code into workflows by adding decorators, without rigid DAG structures or a custom DSL.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Scheduling and automation
The platform supports cron and event-driven scheduling, backfills, and workflow triggers from webhooks, cloud events, or state changes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Security controls
The security page lists TLS 1.2 or higher, encryption at rest, workspace-unique encryption keys, RBAC, SSO, SCIM, audit logs, and IP allowlisting.Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io

Plans and prices

Hobby Free Free forever 2 users · 1 workspace · 5 deployments · 500 min/mo Prefect Serverless · 7 days run retention · Community support Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Starter $100 a month $100/mo 3 users · Up to 20 deployments · 75 hours of Prefect Serverless · 1,250 API requests/min Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Team $100 a month $100/user/mo 4–8 users · Up to 100 deployments · 225 hours of Prefect Serverless · 24 hour audit log Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io
Enterprise Priced on request Custom Unlimited deployments · SSO (SAML/OIDC) · RBAC + ACLs · Multiple workspaces · Directory Sync (SCIM) · IP allowlisting & PrivateLink Read 30 Sep 2026 · prefect.io

Every Prefect plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Workflows use ordinary Python with decorators
  • Automatic retries, caching and failure recovery
  • Cron and event-driven scheduling
  • Hybrid and self-hosted deployment options

Limits

  • Hobby plan limited to two users
  • Hobby plan allows five deployments
  • Hobby run retention is seven days

Who it suits

Prefect suits Python-based data, machine-learning and agent teams that need scheduling, retries and execution visibility. Its hybrid and self-hosted options may suit teams that want code and data to remain in their own infrastructure.

Verdict

Prefect offers code-based orchestration with monitoring and several execution models. The free plan has specific user, deployment, serverless-credit and retention limits; paid plans start at $100/mo.

Where Specifiction places it

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