Softwr

Automation Integration · head to head

Dagster vs Talend

Dagster logo

Dagster

Automation Integration

Data orchestration platform with asset lineage and AI-native observability

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Talend logo

Talend

Automation Integration

Cloud data integration platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Dagster has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Dagster learning curve steeper than simpler task schedulers; Talend no published pricing; all customers receive customized quotes based on usage
  • They diverge on capability: Dagster covers Asset-centric orchestration, Talend covers ETL pipelines.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dagster and Talend actually diverge.

Attributes where Dagster and Talend differ
AttributeDagsterTalend
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelFree open-source core plus paid cloud platformusage-based
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsCloud, Self-hostedWeb, On-premise
FoundedUnknown2006

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Automation Integration).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Dagster

  • Asset-centric orchestration
  • Lineage tracking
  • Data quality monitoring
  • Multi-tool integration
  • Branch deployments
  • Dagster+ AI
  • Hybrid deployment

Only in Talend

  • ETL pipelines
  • Data quality
  • Master data management
  • Real-time streaming
  • Cloud synchronization
  • Monitoring
  • Scheduling
  • 1000+ connectors

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Dagster

  • Orchestrating multi-stage data transformation pipelinesnot Talend
  • Tracking data lineage across transformation toolsnot Talend
  • Monitoring data quality and asset healthnot Talend
  • Coordinating dbt and Snowflake workflowsnot Talend

Talend

  • Enterprises consolidating data integration and pipeline orchestration now under the Qlik Talend Cloud brandnot Dagster

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Dagster

  • Learning curve steeper than simpler task schedulers
  • Asset-centric model requires redesigning existing task-based pipelines
  • Pricing complex with per-credit costs on top of base fee
  • Open-source version requires self-hosting infrastructure
  • Limited to data workflows; not suitable for general automation

Talend

  • No published pricing; all customers receive customized quotes based on usage
  • Billing measured by combination of data volume moved, job executions, and execution duration
  • Pricing details available only through sales contact; no self-serve pricing model

Pricing, plan by plan

Dagster

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Self-hosted deployment
    • Full orchestration engine
    • Community support
  • Solo$10/month
    • 1 user and 1 code location
    • Pay-as-you-go credits at $0.040 per credit
    • 1 deployment
  • Starter$100/month
    • Up to 3 users and 5 code locations
    • Better credit rate at $0.035 per credit
    • 1 deployment
  • Pro$null/custom
    • Unlimited code locations and deployments
    • Custom serverless compute pricing
    • Personalized onboarding

Talend

On request
  • Starter$null/usage
    • Basic SaaS connectivity
  • Standard$null/usage
    • Real-time data movement
    • Change Data Capture (CDC)
  • Premium$null/usage
    • Transformation capabilities
    • Automation features
  • Enterprise$null/usage
    • Comprehensive quality features
    • Governance capabilities

Which should you pick?

Choose Dagster if

  • You need asset-centric orchestration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Self-hosted.
  • You also want lineage tracking.
Dagster review

Choose Talend if

  • You need etl pipelines.
  • You work on Web, On-premise.
  • You also want data quality.
Talend review

Questions people ask

Is Dagster or Talend better?
Neither clearly leads. Dagster starts at Free and Talend at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dagster or Talend?
Dagster has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Dagster and On request for Talend.
Does Dagster or Talend run on more platforms?
Dagster runs on Cloud, Self-hosted. Talend runs on Web, On-premise.
Can I use Dagster for free?
Yes. Dagster has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Talend starts at On request.
What is Dagster best used for?
Dagster is most often used for orchestrating multi-stage data transformation pipelines, tracking data lineage across transformation tools, monitoring data quality and asset health, coordinating dbt and snowflake workflows. Of those, orchestrating multi-stage data transformation pipelines and tracking data lineage across transformation tools are not what Talend is typically brought in for.
What can Dagster do that Talend cannot?
Dagster covers Asset-centric orchestration, Lineage tracking, Data quality monitoring, Multi-tool integration. Talend covers ETL pipelines, Data quality, Master data management, Real-time streaming.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Dagster: What does Solo plan at $10/month include?

Solo includes 1 user, 1 code location, 1 deployment, and serverless compute at $0.010/minute, with 30-day free trial.

Source
Talend: How is Talend Cloud priced?

Talend Cloud uses a usage-based pricing model where customers subscribe to a chosen edition (Starter, Standard, Premium, or Enterprise) and pay based on capacity used. Billing is calculated as a combination of data volume moved, number of job executions, and execution duration, with no published rates.

Source
Dagster: How are credits calculated on Dagster+?

Each asset materialization and ops execution costs 1 credit. Solo plan charges $0.040 per credit; Starter reduces to $0.035 per credit.

Source
Talend: What are Talend Cloud editions?

Talend Cloud offers four editions: Starter (basic SaaS connectivity), Standard (real-time data movement and CDC), Premium (transformation and automation), and Enterprise (comprehensive quality and governance). All pricing is custom based on usage.

Source
Dagster: Is Dagster open-source available for free?

Yes, Dagster open-source is free and includes the full orchestration engine for self-hosted deployment with community support.

Source
Talend: Does Talend Cloud provide usage monitoring?

Yes. Talend provides a self-serve telemetry dashboard where customers can monitor usage trends and receive alerts as utilization approaches capacity limits, allowing tracking of data volume, job executions, and execution duration.

Source
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