# active_workflow vs Apache Airflow

> Two self-hosted [Workflow Automation projects](https://selfhost.directory/workflow-automation), compared on the numbers selfhost.directory tracks live: score, popularity, release cadence and setup effort.

| | active_workflow | Apache Airflow |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 44/100 | 84/100 ✓ |
| Rank in category | #24 of 32 in Workflow Automation | #2 of 32 in Workflow Automation |
| GitHub stars | 863 | 47 301 ✓ |
| Stars, last 30 days | — | +344 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 0 | 7 ✓ |
| Latest release | — | providers-ydb/2.6.1 · 13 Oct 2026 |
| Setup | Moderate ✓ | Advanced |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| License | Other | Apache-2.0 |
| Main language | Ruby | Python |

## Which one should you pick?

Apache Airflow scores 84/100 against 44/100 for active_workflow, so it is the safer default.

Apache Airflow ships more often: 7 stable releases in the past year, against 0 for active_workflow.

If you want the quickest setup, active_workflow is easier to run; Apache Airflow needs more configuration.

Apache Airflow is growing faster right now (+344 stars in 30 days).

## Details

- [active_workflow](https://selfhost.directory/project/activeworkflow) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/activeworkflow.md)
- [Apache Airflow](https://selfhost.directory/project/apache-airflow) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/apache-airflow.md)

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Source: https://selfhost.directory/compare/activeworkflow-vs-apache-airflow