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Automation Integration · head to head

Dagster vs Paragon

Dagster logo

Dagster

Automation Integration

Data orchestration platform with asset lineage and AI-native observability

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paragon logo

Paragon

Automation Integration

Embedded integration platform for SaaS

From
$299/month
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; Paragon no published pricing rates or specific plan costs
  • They diverge on capability: Dagster covers Asset-centric orchestration, Paragon covers Embedded workflows.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dagster and Paragon actually diverge.

Attributes where Dagster and Paragon differ
AttributeDagsterParagon
Starting priceFree$299/month
Pricing modelFree open-source core plus paid cloud platformsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsCloud, Self-hostedWeb, Embedded
FoundedUnknown2021

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 Paragon

  • Embedded workflows
  • Native integrations
  • Workflow builder
  • Error handling
  • Monitoring
  • Analytics
  • Webhooks
  • 500+ apps

What people use each for

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

Dagster

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

Paragon

  • Embedding third party integrations into a SaaS productnot Dagster
  • Managing customer facing connectors without building each onenot 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

Paragon

  • No published pricing rates or specific plan costs
  • Pricing is entirely custom based on Connected Users
  • Both Pro and Enterprise plans require direct contact for pricing

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

Paragon

$299/month
  • Starter$299/month
    • 50 integrations
    • Basic support
  • Growth$999/month
    • 200 integrations
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$5000/month
    • Unlimited integrations
    • Dedicated support

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 Paragon if

  • You need embedded workflows.
  • You work on Web, Embedded.
  • You also want native integrations.
Paragon review

Questions people ask

Is Dagster or Paragon better?
Neither clearly leads. Dagster starts at Free and Paragon at $299/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dagster or Paragon?
Dagster has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Dagster and $299/month for Paragon.
Does Dagster or Paragon run on more platforms?
Dagster runs on Cloud, Self-hosted. Paragon runs on Web, Embedded.
Can I use Dagster for free?
Yes. Dagster has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Paragon starts at $299/month.
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 Paragon is typically brought in for.
What can Dagster do that Paragon cannot?
Dagster covers Asset-centric orchestration, Lineage tracking, Data quality monitoring, Multi-tool integration. Paragon covers Embedded workflows, Native integrations, Workflow builder, Error handling.

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
Paragon: How much does Paragon cost?

Paragon does not publish pricing rates. The company uses a custom pricing model based on Connected Users (the number of tenant organizations using integrations), requiring customers to request custom quotes.

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
Paragon: What are Paragon's pricing plans?

Paragon offers Pro and Enterprise plans. The Pro plan includes unlimited integrations, access to all three products, and custom integrations. The Enterprise plan adds self-hosted options, priority support with SLAs, and SAML SSO.

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
Paragon: Does Paragon offer a free trial?

Yes, a free trial is available via signup, though specific trial duration and limitations are not detailed on the pricing page.

Source
Paragon: How does Paragon determine the cost of my plan?

Pricing is customized based on business model and the number of Connected Users, meaning organizations must contact Paragon's sales team for a custom quote.

Source
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