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Automation Integration · head to head

jBPM vs Letta

jBPM logo

jBPM

Automation Integration

Long-running Java BPMN engine, now developed inside Apache KIE with commercial support from IBM

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Letta logo

Letta

Automation Integration

Machines that learn

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: jBPM the project moved to the Apache Software Foundation as Apache KIE and is still in incubation, which is a weaker governance signal than a vendor-owned product and a harder case to make to an architecture board.; Letta free tier limited to 3 stateful agents
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which jBPM and Letta actually diverge.

Attributes where jBPM and Letta differ
AttributejBPMLetta
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feefreemium
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Docker, KubernetesWeb

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 jBPM

  • BPMN 2.0 execution
  • Drools integration
  • Human task service
  • Kogito compilation
  • Process designer
  • Timers and signals
  • REST and Java APIs
  • Case management

Only in Letta

Nothing recorded that jBPM does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

jBPM

  • A Java organisation already running jBPM 7 that needs to decide between the Apache KIE line, Kogito or migration awaynot Letta
  • A team that wants BPMN processes and Drools business rules executing in one runtime without integrating two productsnot Letta
  • A government or banking system with long-running processes needing durable timers and full audit history at no licence costnot Letta
  • A Quarkus estate adopting Kogito to run compiled processes with container-appropriate startup timesnot Letta

Letta

  • Building agents with memory for continuous learningnot jBPM
  • Enabling reflection during idle periods via sleep-computenot jBPM
  • Managing agent context and extracting learningsnot jBPM

Where each one falls short

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

jBPM

  • The project moved to the Apache Software Foundation as Apache KIE and is still in incubation, which is a weaker governance signal than a vendor-owned product and a harder case to make to an architecture board.
  • The classic jBPM 7.x line has not had a Red Hat-sponsored release since 2023, so staying on it means running effectively frozen software while the development happens under a different name.
  • Kogito is architecturally different from the classic runtime, using ahead-of-time compilation, so moving forward is a migration project rather than a version upgrade.
  • Commercial support has shifted to IBM Business Automation Manager Open Editions, which means renegotiating with a different vendor under different terms than Red Hat customers signed.
  • The tooling and workbench have long been the weakest part, and organisations routinely build their own process administration interfaces because the shipped ones are dated.

Letta

  • Free tier limited to 3 stateful agents
  • Pro tier capped at 20 stateful agents
  • API Plan usage charges apply beyond base tier

Pricing, plan by plan

jBPM

Free
  • jBPMFree
    • Apache 2.0 licence with no usage restrictions
    • Full BPMN engine, human tasks and Drools integration
    • Community support via Apache KIE mailing lists

Letta

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited agents
    • Limited Letta Auto usage
    • Bring your own API keys
  • Pro$20/month
    • Weekly and monthly Letta Auto quota
    • Pay-as-you-go overage
    • Up to 20 stateful agents
  • API Plan$20/month
    • Unlimited agents
    • $0.10/active agent/month
    • $0.00015/second for tool execution
  • Teams Pro$20/month
    • Per seat pricing
    • Add teammates
    • Letta Auto quota

Which should you pick?

Choose jBPM if

  • You need bpmn 2.0 execution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want drools integration.
jBPM review

Choose Letta if

  • You want to start without paying.
Letta review

Questions people ask

Is jBPM or Letta better?
Neither clearly leads. jBPM starts at Free and Letta at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, jBPM or Letta?
jBPM starts at Free and Letta at Free.
Does jBPM or Letta run on more platforms?
jBPM runs on Linux, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes. Letta runs on Web.
Can I use jBPM for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is jBPM best used for?
jBPM is most often used for a java organisation already running jbpm 7 that needs to decide between the apache kie line, kogito or migration away, a team that wants bpmn processes and drools business rules executing in one runtime without integrating two products, a government or banking system with long-running processes needing durable timers and full audit history at no licence cost, a quarkus estate adopting kogito to run compiled processes with container-appropriate startup times. Of those, a java organisation already running jbpm 7 that needs to decide between the apache kie line, kogito or migration away and a team that wants bpmn processes and drools business rules executing in one runtime without integrating two products are not what Letta is typically brought in for.
What can jBPM do that Letta cannot?
jBPM covers BPMN 2.0 execution, Drools integration, Human task service, Kogito compilation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

jBPM: Is jBPM dead?

No. Development continues as part of Apache KIE, with releases through 2025, but the Red Hat-sponsored 7.x line has been static since 2023.

Letta: How much does Letta cost?

Letta offers a free tier, then Pro plan at $20/month with up to 20 stateful agents, API Plan at $20/month base plus usage charges ($0.10/active agent/month, $0.00015/second for tool execution), and Teams Pro at $20/seat/month.

Source
jBPM: Who provides commercial support?

IBM, through Business Automation Manager Open Editions, following the transition away from Red Hat Process Automation Manager as a growth product.

Letta: How many agents can I create on the free plan?

The free tier is limited to 3 stateful agents. Pro plan allows up to 20 stateful agents, while API Plan offers unlimited agents.

Source
jBPM: What is Kogito?

The cloud-native successor that compiles processes ahead of time for Quarkus and Spring Boot, architecturally different from the classic jBPM runtime.

Letta: Does Letta charge for tool execution?

On the API Plan, Letta charges $0.00015 per second for tool execution. The Pro and Teams Pro plans include execution in their monthly fee.

Source
jBPM: Does it cost anything?

No. It is Apache 2.0 licensed with no fee. Costs are support contracts and the engineering effort to run it.

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