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Automation Integration · head to head

Prefect vs Flowise

Prefect logo

Prefect

Automation Integration

Python-first workflow orchestration that heals itself

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Flowise logo

Flowise

Automation Integration

Build AI Agents, Visually

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Prefect limited to Python-based workflows; other languages require API calls; Flowise enterprise tier requires custom pricing with no published rates

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Prefect and Flowise actually diverge.

Attributes where Prefect and Flowise differ
AttributePrefectFlowise
Pricing modelFreemium with per-user and usage-based tiersfreemium
PlatformsCloud, Self-hosted, VPCWeb

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 Prefect

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

Only in Flowise

Nothing recorded that Prefect does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Prefect

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

Flowise

  • Building multi-agent systems with orchestrated workflowsnot Prefect
  • Creating chatbots that retrieve knowledge from uploaded documentsnot Prefect
  • Implementing human-in-the-loop approval for AI agent decisionsnot Prefect
  • Deploying conversational AI without writing backend codenot 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

Flowise

  • Enterprise tier requires custom pricing with no published rates

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

Flowise

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 Flows & Assistants
    • 100 predictions per month
    • 5 MB storage
  • Starter$35/month
    • Unlimited flows & assistants
    • 10,000 predictions per month
    • 1 GB storage
  • Pro$65/month
    • 50,000 predictions per month
    • 10 GB storage
    • Unlimited workspaces

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 Flowise if

  • You want to start without paying.
Flowise review

Questions people ask

Is Prefect or Flowise better?
Neither clearly leads. Prefect starts at Free and Flowise at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Prefect or Flowise?
Prefect starts at Free and Flowise at Free.
Does Prefect or Flowise run on more platforms?
Prefect runs on Cloud, Self-hosted, VPC. Flowise runs on Web.
Can I use Prefect for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Flowise is typically brought in for.
What can Prefect do that Flowise cannot?
Prefect covers Python function decorators, Automatic resilience, Flexible deployment, Observable execution.

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
Flowise: Does Flowise have a free tier?

Yes, Flowise offers a free plan with 2 flows and assistants, 100 predictions per month, 5 MB storage, and community support.

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
Flowise: What is Flowise's Starter plan pricing?

The Starter plan costs $35 per month (first month free) and includes unlimited flows and assistants, 10,000 predictions per month, and 1 GB storage.

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
Flowise: How does Flowise charge for additional users?

Additional users on the Pro plan cost $15 per user per month. The Pro plan supports 5+ users with this per-user add-on pricing.

Source
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