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Automation Integration · head to head

Prefect vs Celigo

Prefect logo

Prefect

Automation Integration

Python-first workflow orchestration that heals itself

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Celigo logo

Celigo

Automation Integration

The iPaaS platform for mid-market and enterprise

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Prefect has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Prefect limited to Python-based workflows; other languages require API calls; Celigo prices are not published on any of the three editions
  • They diverge on capability: Prefect covers Python function decorators, Celigo covers App integration.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Prefect and Celigo actually diverge.

Attributes where Prefect and Celigo differ
AttributePrefectCeligo
Starting priceFree$400/month
Pricing modelFreemium with per-user and usage-based tierssubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsCloud, Self-hosted, VPCWeb, Mobile
FoundedUnknown2008

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 Prefect

  • Python function decorators
  • Automatic resilience
  • Flexible deployment
  • Observable execution
  • Multiple scheduling
  • Webhooks
  • Open-source core

Only in Celigo

  • App integration
  • Process automation
  • Master data management
  • API management
  • Workflow builder
  • Error handling
  • Analytics
  • 800+ apps

What people use each for

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

Prefect

  • Orchestrating data pipeline workflows in Pythonnot Celigo
  • Managing ML model training and inference jobsnot Celigo
  • Building ETL and event-driven automationnot Celigo
  • Monitoring and alerting on workflow healthnot Celigo

Celigo

  • Integrating NetSuite with ecommerce and CRM systemsnot Prefect
  • Prebuilt integration templates between common business applicationsnot Prefect
  • Building custom flows between internal systemsnot Prefect
  • Governance and auditability over integrations on the higher editionsnot Prefect

Where each one falls short

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

Prefect

  • Limited to Python-based workflows; other languages require API calls
  • Hobby free tier severely limited for production use
  • Team plan billing per user scales quickly with team size
  • Less visual workflow builder compared to some competitors
  • Smaller ecosystem of pre-built connectors than alternatives

Celigo

  • Prices are not published on any of the three editions
  • Billed on endpoints and flows, so the cost is driven by how many systems you connect rather than by volume through them
  • API Builder, lookup caching and a sandbox all require the Professional edition
  • Single sign-on is optional on Standard and included from Professional up
  • Unlimited endpoints and the full governance features are Enterprise only

Pricing, plan by plan

Prefect

Free
  • HobbyFree
    • 2 users and 5 deployments
    • 500 minutes serverless monthly
    • 7-day run retention
  • Starter$100/month
    • 3 users and 20 deployments
    • 75 hours serverless compute
    • Bring-your-own infrastructure
  • Team$100/user/month
    • 4-8 users per plan tier
    • 100 deployments
    • 225 hours serverless monthly
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • SSO and SAML authentication
    • Role-based access control
    • Multiple workspaces

Celigo

$400/month
  • Growth$400/month
    • 50 integrations
    • Basic support
  • Scale$1200/month
    • Unlimited integrations
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$3000/month
    • Custom solutions
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Prefect if

  • You need python function decorators.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Self-hosted, VPC.
  • You also want automatic resilience.
Prefect review

Choose Celigo if

  • You need app integration.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want process automation.
Celigo review

Questions people ask

Is Prefect or Celigo better?
Neither clearly leads. Prefect starts at Free and Celigo at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Prefect or Celigo?
Prefect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Prefect and $400/month for Celigo.
Does Prefect or Celigo run on more platforms?
Prefect runs on Cloud, Self-hosted, VPC. Celigo runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use Prefect for free?
Yes. Prefect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Celigo starts at $400/month.
What is Prefect best used for?
Prefect is most often used for orchestrating data pipeline workflows in python, managing ml model training and inference jobs, building etl and event-driven automation, monitoring and alerting on workflow health. Of those, orchestrating data pipeline workflows in python and managing ml model training and inference jobs are not what Celigo is typically brought in for.
What can Prefect do that Celigo cannot?
Prefect covers Python function decorators, Automatic resilience, Flexible deployment, Observable execution. Celigo covers App integration, Process automation, Master data management, API management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Prefect: What is included in the Hobby free plan?

Hobby includes 2 users, 5 deployments, 500 minutes of serverless compute monthly, and 7-day run retention.

Source
Celigo: How much does Celigo cost?

Celigo pricing is not publicly disclosed; the vendor requires direct contact with sales to obtain pricing quotes based on your endpoint and workflow requirements.

Source
Prefect: What is the difference between Starter and Team plans?

Starter is $100/month for 3 users and 20 deployments. Team is $100 per user per month for 4-8 users and 100 deployments.

Source
Celigo: What is Celigo's pricing model?

Celigo uses a flat-rate subscription model based on endpoints and flows, not per-transaction costs; customers must contact sales for actual pricing for each tier.

Source
Prefect: Can I deploy Prefect in my own infrastructure?

Yes, Starter and higher plans support bring-your-own-compute infrastructure and VPC deployments.

Source
Celigo: Is there a free trial for Celigo?

Yes, Celigo offers a 30-day free trial with unlimited access to the platform; no credit card is required to start the trial.

Source
Celigo: What are the Celigo pricing tiers?

Celigo offers Standard, Professional, and Enterprise editions; specific pricing for each is not published and requires sales contact, with Enterprise including unlimited endpoints and premium support.

Source
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