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Spline

absaoss.github.io

Free plan WebAPISelf-hosted
Visit absaoss.github.io
Spec score 7.2 #26 of 43 in Data Lineage Tools

What it is

Spline is a free, open-source tool for tracking data lineage and pipeline structure. Agents support Apache Spark and arbitrary functions written in Python 3.9 or newer, with a proof-of-concept adapter for OpenLineage metadata. They send metadata to the server through HTTP REST or Kafka, while the Consumer API exposes lineage to the web interface and third-party applications. Spline converts that information into graphs for visualization. The server stores lineage in ArangoDB, requiring version 3.11 or newer. Components are available as Docker containers and JAR or WAR artifacts, and the server can run in a standard Java environment. The project identifies regulatory documentation, business-logic records, and performance-bottleneck analysis as uses. By default, the Spark agent tracks persistent writes such as files, Hive tables, and databases. The Apache-2.0 project is hosted by AbsaOSS, with self-hosted components.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Spline is a free, open-source tool for automatically tracking data lineage and data pipeline structure.Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io
Deployment
Components are available as Docker containers and JAR or WAR artifacts, and the server can run in a standard Java environment.Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io
License
The GitHub repository lists the project under the Apache-2.0 license.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker
The project is hosted in the AbsaOSS GitHub organization, described as ABSA Open Source and located in Johannesburg, South Africa.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com
Framework support
The project provides agents for Apache Spark and arbitrary functions written in Python 3.9 or newer, plus a proof-of-concept adapter for OpenLineage metadata.Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io
Lineage flow
Agents send pipeline metadata to the server through its Producer API using HTTP REST or Kafka, and the Consumer API makes lineage data available to the UI and third-party applications.Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io
Security configuration
SSL certificate validation is enabled by default, and the documentation says not to disable it in production.Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io
Spark tracking limit
By default, the Spark agent tracks only persistent writes, such as writes to files, Hive tables, or databases.Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io
Storage
Spline Server stores lineage data in ArangoDB, with ArangoDB version 3.11 or newer required.Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io
Transport integration
Agents can send lineage metadata over HTTP REST or Kafka; the Kafka gateway is optional.Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io
Use cases
The project identifies regulatory requirements, documenting business logic, and finding performance bottlenecks as target problems.Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io
Visualization
Spline processes lineage data into graph form and provides a web UI for viewing it.Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io

Plans and prices

Spline Free Free and open-source tool; self-hosted components Read 10 Oct 2026 · absaoss.github.io

Every Spline plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open-source under Apache-2.0
  • Supports Spark and Python 3.9-plus agents
  • HTTP REST and Kafka metadata transport
  • Graph-based lineage web interface
  • Column-level and pipeline lineage

Limits

  • Requires ArangoDB 3.11 or newer
  • Spark tracking defaults to persistent writes
  • Self-hosted deployment requires server components

Who it suits

Spline suits teams needing automated lineage for Spark or Python pipelines and organizations documenting data flows for regulation or troubleshooting.

Verdict

Spline provides an open lineage pipeline from agents through APIs to a graph UI. Its self-hosted architecture and ArangoDB requirement should be planned before deployment.

Where Specifiction places it

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