Comparison
hamilton vs dagster
Verdict
Pick hamilton if apache Hamilton aids Python data environments by enabling modular, self-documenting dataflows with lineage/tracing and metadata support; pick dagster if dagster is an open-source orchestration platform developed in Python for managing and observing data pipelines and workflows.
Markdown twin · hamilton alternatives · dagster alternatives
GraphCanon updated 1w
Trust & integrity
| Signal | hamilton | dagster |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very active (1d since push) As of 2w · github_public_v1 | Very active (0d since push) As of 1w · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of 2w · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Organization account As of 1w · github_public_v1 |
| OSV dependency advisories | No lockfile (source not queried) As of 1mo · osv@v1 | No lockfile (source not queried) As of 1mo · osv@v1 |
| deps.dev advisories | Not queried deps.dev@v1 | Not queried deps.dev@v1 |
| OpenSSF Scorecard | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 |
Tagline
- hamilton
- Modular dataflow definition for Python environments
- dagster
- An orchestration platform for data assets
Stars
- hamilton
- 2.6k
- dagster
- 16k
Forks
- hamilton
- 203
- dagster
- 2.2k
Open issues
- hamilton
- 148
- dagster
- 2.6k
Language
- hamilton
- Jupyter Notebook
- dagster
- Python
Adopt for
- hamilton
- Apache Hamilton aids Python data environments by enabling modular, self-documenting dataflows with lineage/tracing and metadata support.
- dagster
- Dagster is an open-source orchestration platform developed in Python for managing and observing data pipelines and workflows.
Persona
- hamilton
- -
- dagster
- -
Runtime
- hamilton
- -
- dagster
- -
License
- hamilton
- Apache-2.0
- dagster
- Apache-2.0
Last pushed
- hamilton
- Aug 1, 2026
- dagster
- Aug 9, 2026
Categories
- hamilton
- Data & Retrieval, Developer Tools
- dagster
- Data & Retrieval, Evaluation & Observability
Trust and health
Days since push
- hamilton
- 1d
- dagster
- 0d
Open issues (now)
- hamilton
- 148
- dagster
- 2.6k
Full report
- hamilton
- Trust report
- dagster
- Trust report
Shared compatibility
- Python · hamilton: Python runtime · dagster: Python runtime
Choose hamilton if…
- hamilton is primarily Jupyter Notebook; dagster is Python.
- Tags unique to hamilton: dag, data-analysis, data-science, feature-engineering.
- Also covers Developer Tools.
- Requires detailed lineage and tracing in Python-based ETL processes
When NOT to use hamilton
- Working exclusively within a non-Python environment where broader platform support is needed
- Projects that do not require extensive metadata capture or lineage tracking capabilities
Choose dagster if…
- dagster is primarily Python; hamilton is Jupyter Notebook.
- Tags unique to dagster: data-orchestrator, etl, workflow.
- Also covers Evaluation & Observability.
- When your project requires an Apache-2.0 licensed tool allowing broader reuse and modification of code.
When NOT to use dagster
- If you are restricted to proprietary or non-open-source licenses, as Dagster's Apache-2.0 might not align with compliance requirements.
- In environments where Python is not a preferred language, considering Dagster requires good knowledge of the Python ecosystem.
- For teams that do not require or benefit from extensive documentation and hands-on tutorials for onboarding.
- If specific features or integrations crucial to your workflow are found lacking in comparison to competitors.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (apache/hamilton) · observed Aug 3, 2026
- GitHub forks (apache/hamilton) · observed Aug 3, 2026
- Last push (apache/hamilton) · observed Aug 1, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Aug 3, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 17, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 11, 2026
- GitHub stars (dagster-io/dagster) · observed Aug 10, 2026
- GitHub forks (dagster-io/dagster) · observed Aug 10, 2026
- Last push (dagster-io/dagster) · observed Aug 9, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Aug 10, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 16, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 15, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: hamilton 2.6k · dagster 16k (synced Aug 3, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between hamilton and dagster?
- hamilton: Modular dataflow definition for Python environments. dagster: An orchestration platform for data assets. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose hamilton over dagster?
- Choose hamilton over dagster when hamilton is primarily Jupyter Notebook; dagster is Python; Tags unique to hamilton: dag, data-analysis, data-science, feature-engineering; Also covers Developer Tools; Requires detailed lineage and tracing in Python-based ETL processes.
- When should I choose dagster over hamilton?
- Choose dagster over hamilton when dagster is primarily Python; hamilton is Jupyter Notebook; Tags unique to dagster: data-orchestrator, etl, workflow; Also covers Evaluation & Observability; When your project requires an Apache-2.0 licensed tool allowing broader reuse and modification of code.
- When should I avoid hamilton?
- Working exclusively within a non-Python environment where broader platform support is needed Projects that do not require extensive metadata capture or lineage tracking capabilities
- When should I avoid dagster?
- If you are restricted to proprietary or non-open-source licenses, as Dagster's Apache-2.0 might not align with compliance requirements. In environments where Python is not a preferred language, considering Dagster requires good knowledge of the Python ecosystem. For teams that do not require or benefit from extensive documentation and hands-on tutorials for onboarding. If specific features or integrations crucial to your workflow are found lacking in comparison to competitors.
- Is hamilton or dagster more popular on GitHub?
- dagster has more GitHub stars (15,949 vs 2,557). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are hamilton and dagster open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (hamilton: Apache-2.0, dagster: Apache-2.0).
- Where can I find alternatives to hamilton or dagster?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at hamilton alternatives and dagster alternatives (hamilton markdown twin, dagster 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, hamilton or dagster?
- hamilton: Very active. dagster: Very 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 hamilton and dagster?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: hamilton trust report; dagster trust report.