Comparison
airflow vs SpiffWorkflow
Verdict
Pick airflow if apache Airflow is a Python-based orchestrator for scheduling and monitoring workflows, suitable for tasks that require flexible DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) definitions; pick SpiffWorkflow if spiffWorkflow is an open-source Python workflow engine that adheres to BPMN specifications.
Markdown twin · airflow alternatives · SpiffWorkflow alternatives
GraphCanon updated Sep 20, 2026
10views this month
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Trust & integrity
| Signal | airflow | SpiffWorkflow |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very active (0d since push) As of Sep 14, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Active (14d since push) As of Sep 17, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of Sep 14, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Organization account As of Sep 17, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| OSV dependency advisories | No lockfile (source not queried) As of Jul 15, 2026 · osv@v1 | No lockfile (source not queried) As of Jul 15, 2026 · osv@v1 |
| deps.dev advisories | Not queried deps.dev@v1 | No lockfile (source not queried) As of Aug 2, 2026 · deps.dev@v1 |
| OpenSSF Scorecard | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 | Published findings As of Jul 26, 2026 · openssf-scorecard@v1 |
Tagline
- airflow
- A platform to programmatically author, schedule, and monitor workflows
- SpiffWorkflow
- A powerful workflow engine implemented in pure Python
Stars
- airflow
- 47k
- SpiffWorkflow
- 1.9k
Forks
- airflow
- 18k
- SpiffWorkflow
- 343
Open issues
- airflow
- 2.1k
- SpiffWorkflow
- 8
Language
- airflow
- Python
- SpiffWorkflow
- Python
Adopt for
- airflow
- Apache Airflow is a Python-based orchestrator for scheduling and monitoring workflows, suitable for tasks that require flexible DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) definitions.
- SpiffWorkflow
- SpiffWorkflow is an open-source Python workflow engine that adheres to BPMN specifications.
Persona
- airflow
- -
- SpiffWorkflow
- -
Runtime
- airflow
- -
- SpiffWorkflow
- -
License
- airflow
- Apache-2.0
- SpiffWorkflow
- LGPL-3.0
Last pushed
- airflow
- Sep 14, 2026
- SpiffWorkflow
- Sep 2, 2026
Categories
- airflow
- Developer Tools
- SpiffWorkflow
- Developer Tools
Trust and health
Maintenance
- airflow
- Very active (96%)
- SpiffWorkflow
- Active (82%)
Days since push
- airflow
- 0d
- SpiffWorkflow
- 14d
Open issues (now)
- airflow
- 2.1k
- SpiffWorkflow
- 8
Stars delta
- airflow
- +419 (30d)
- SpiffWorkflow
- +7 (30d)
Open issues delta
- airflow
- +262 (30d)
- SpiffWorkflow
- 0 (30d)
deps.dev advisories
- airflow
- Not queried
- SpiffWorkflow
- No lockfile (source not queried)
OpenSSF Scorecard
- airflow
- Not queried
- SpiffWorkflow
- Published findings
Full report
- airflow
- Trust report
- SpiffWorkflow
- Trust report
Shared compatibility
- Python · airflow: Python runtime · SpiffWorkflow: Python runtime
Choose airflow if…
- License: airflow is Apache-2.0, SpiffWorkflow is LGPL-3.0.
- Tags unique to airflow: airflow, apache, automation, dag.
- If you need to model complex workflow dependency graphs with Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs).
When NOT to use airflow
- Avoid if you require Windows as the primary execution environment without using WSL2.
- If your project strictly adheres to MariaDB for database management, Airflow is not recommended because it is neither tested nor supported by the tool.
Choose SpiffWorkflow if…
- License: SpiffWorkflow is LGPL-3.0, airflow is Apache-2.0.
- Tags unique to SpiffWorkflow: bpmn, bpmn-engine, python, workflow.
- You need a pure Python solution without external dependencies for implementing BPMN workflows.
When NOT to use SpiffWorkflow
- The project demands real-time performance or low-latency requirements as SpiffWorkflow, being a Python library, might not meet those stringent criteria.
- You require integration with non-BPMN workflow specifications exclusively.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (apache/airflow) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (apache/airflow) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (apache/airflow) · observed Sep 14, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 16, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 15, 2026
- GitHub stars (sartography/SpiffWorkflow) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (sartography/SpiffWorkflow) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (sartography/SpiffWorkflow) · observed Sep 2, 2026
- License file (LGPL-3.0) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 16, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 15, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: airflow 47k · SpiffWorkflow 1.9k (synced Sep 20, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between airflow and SpiffWorkflow?
- airflow: A platform to programmatically author, schedule, and monitor workflows. SpiffWorkflow: A powerful workflow engine implemented in pure Python. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose airflow over SpiffWorkflow?
- Choose airflow over SpiffWorkflow when License: airflow is Apache-2.0, SpiffWorkflow is LGPL-3.0; Tags unique to airflow: airflow, apache, automation, dag; If you need to model complex workflow dependency graphs with Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs).
- When should I choose SpiffWorkflow over airflow?
- Choose SpiffWorkflow over airflow when License: SpiffWorkflow is LGPL-3.0, airflow is Apache-2.0; Tags unique to SpiffWorkflow: bpmn, bpmn-engine, python, workflow; You need a pure Python solution without external dependencies for implementing BPMN workflows.
- When should I avoid airflow?
- Avoid if you require Windows as the primary execution environment without using WSL2. If your project strictly adheres to MariaDB for database management, Airflow is not recommended because it is neither tested nor supported by the tool.
- When should I avoid SpiffWorkflow?
- The project demands real-time performance or low-latency requirements as SpiffWorkflow, being a Python library, might not meet those stringent criteria. You require integration with non-BPMN workflow specifications exclusively.
- Is airflow or SpiffWorkflow more popular on GitHub?
- airflow has more GitHub stars (46,844 vs 1,917). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are airflow and SpiffWorkflow open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (airflow: Apache-2.0, SpiffWorkflow: LGPL-3.0).
- Where can I find alternatives to airflow or SpiffWorkflow?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at airflow alternatives and SpiffWorkflow alternatives (airflow markdown twin, SpiffWorkflow markdown twin), ranked by typed relationship edges rather than popularity votes.
- Is there a machine-readable version of this comparison?
- Yes. The markdown twin at this comparison mirrors this page for agents and LLM crawlers, with the same stats table and FAQ answers.
- Which is better maintained, airflow or SpiffWorkflow?
- airflow: Very active. SpiffWorkflow: Active. Compare maintenance labels, days since push, and release cadence in the trust section below - stars alone do not measure maintenance.
- Where are the full trust reports for airflow and SpiffWorkflow?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: airflow trust report; SpiffWorkflow trust report.