AWS Step Functions vs Cadence
AWS Step Functions
aws.amazon.com
Cadence
cadenceworkflow.ioSide by side
| Figure | AWS Step Functions | Cadence |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Process Orchestration Software | 7.9 (#11) | 8.0 (#9) |
| Spec score · Workflow Orchestration Software | 7.9 (#19) | 8.0 (#15) |
| Security | Step Functions uses IAM to control access to AWS services and resources, and AWS requires TLS 1.2 while recommending TLS 1.3 for network clients. | TLS is configurable on backing service connections, and SDK connections to the frontend support mutual TLS. |
| What it does | AWS Step Functions is a visual workflow service for orchestrating AWS services and HTTPS endpoints, including SaaS applications, into scalable, reliable applications. | Cadence is an open-source workflow engine for building fault-tolerant, stateful distributed applications. |
Plans
AWS Step Functions
- Free TierFree
- Express WorkflowsPrice not published
- Standard WorkflowsPrice not published
In their own words
AWS Step Functions
AWS Step Functions is a cloud workflow service for coordinating AWS services and HTTPS endpoints, including SaaS applications. Workflows are state machines written in Amazon States Language, with Workflow Studio providing a visual designer. Definitions can branch, run steps in parallel, set timeouts, retry failures, and handle errors with try/catch or rollback patterns. Service integrations connect to over 200 AWS services, while AWS SDK integrations can invoke over 9,000 API actions. HTTPS endpoint integration connects directly to HTTP-based services. Distributed Map can process large datasets, including Amazon S3 data, with up to 10,000 parallel child executions in one Map Run. Execution history, CloudWatch Logs, and AWS X-Ray support review and tracing. Standard executions can run for up to one year; Express executions can run for up to five minutes. Task, state, or execution input and output is limited to 256 KiB. A Free Tier plan is listed at free indefinitely; Standard and Express plans bill usage.
Cadence
Cadence has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.