Comparison
compose vs docker-airflow
Verdict
Pick compose if a tool for defining and orchestrating multi-container applications with Docker using Compose files; pick docker-airflow if docker-airflow leverages Docker to provide streamlined management of Apache Airflow environments, making it easy for developers to maintain and deploy workflows.
Markdown twin · compose alternatives · docker-airflow alternatives
GraphCanon updated Sep 18, 2026
7views this month
vs
Trust & integrity
| Signal | compose | docker-airflow |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very active (0d since push) As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Dormant (1294d since push) As of Sep 16, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Organization account As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Personal account As of Sep 16, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| OSV dependency advisories | Published findings 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 | Not queried deps.dev@v1 |
| OpenSSF Scorecard | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 |
Tagline
- compose
- Define and run multi-container applications with Docker
- docker-airflow
- Docker Apache Airflow
Stars
- compose
- 38k
- docker-airflow
- 3.8k
Forks
- compose
- 5.8k
- docker-airflow
- 591
Open issues
- compose
- 107
- docker-airflow
- 261
Language
- compose
- Go
- docker-airflow
- Shell
Adopt for
- compose
- A tool for defining and orchestrating multi-container applications with Docker using Compose files.
- docker-airflow
- docker-airflow leverages Docker to provide streamlined management of Apache Airflow environments, making it easy for developers to maintain and deploy workflows.
Persona
- compose
- -
- docker-airflow
- -
Runtime
- compose
- -
- docker-airflow
- -
License
- compose
- Apache-2.0
- docker-airflow
- Apache-2.0
Last pushed
- compose
- Sep 17, 2026
- docker-airflow
- Mar 1, 2023
Categories
- compose
- Developer Tools
- docker-airflow
- Developer Tools
Trust and health
Maintenance
- compose
- Very active (96%)
- docker-airflow
- Dormant (18%)
Days since push
- compose
- 0d
- docker-airflow
- 1294d
Open issues (now)
- compose
- 107
- docker-airflow
- 261
Stars delta
- compose
- +139 (30d)
- docker-airflow
- -1 (30d)
Open issues delta
- compose
- +2 (30d)
- docker-airflow
- 0 (30d)
Owner type
- compose
- Organization
- docker-airflow
- User
OSV dependency advisories
- compose
- Published findings
- docker-airflow
- No lockfile (source not queried)
Full report
- compose
- Trust report
- docker-airflow
- Trust report
Choose compose if…
- compose is primarily Go; docker-airflow is Shell.
- Tags unique to compose: containerization, docker-compose, orchestration.
- When your project involves running multiple connected services or microservices, as Docker Compose streamlines the orchestration of these with Docker.
When NOT to use compose
- When your application orchestration needs extend beyond basic services definition and coordination provided by Compose files.
- If you are specifically targeting a legacy setup or need tools that were historically paired with Docker Swarm, as some recent enhancements may lack full compatibility.
- For users who require advanced orchestration features like horizontal scaling, service discovery, or load balancing outside of the capabilities offered by simple docker compose setups.
Choose docker-airflow if…
- docker-airflow is primarily Shell; compose is Go.
- Pricing: Open source under the Apache-2.0 license, it is free of cost, but support and enterprise features might come at a premium..
- Requirements: Requires Docker.
- Tags unique to docker-airflow: airflow, docker.
- Opt for docker-airflow if you are already using Docker in your workflow setup, because it seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure without needing additional configuration steps.
When NOT to use docker-airflow
- Avoid docker-airflow if you require a completely customized setup for your workflow management system and have limited experience or resources to understand and manage Docker configurations.
- Should be avoided in environments where there is no need for containerization benefits as using docker-airflow may introduce unneeded complexity.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (docker/compose) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- GitHub forks (docker/compose) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- Last push (docker/compose) · observed Sep 17, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 17, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 15, 2026
- GitHub stars (puckel/docker-airflow) · observed Sep 16, 2026
- GitHub forks (puckel/docker-airflow) · observed Sep 16, 2026
- Last push (puckel/docker-airflow) · observed Mar 1, 2023
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Sep 16, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 17, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 15, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: compose 38k · docker-airflow 3.8k (synced Sep 18, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between compose and docker-airflow?
- compose: Define and run multi-container applications with Docker. docker-airflow: Docker Apache Airflow. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose compose over docker-airflow?
- Choose compose over docker-airflow when compose is primarily Go; docker-airflow is Shell; Tags unique to compose: containerization, docker-compose, orchestration; When your project involves running multiple connected services or microservices, as Docker Compose streamlines the orchestration of these with Docker.
- When should I choose docker-airflow over compose?
- Choose docker-airflow over compose when docker-airflow is primarily Shell; compose is Go; Pricing: Open source under the Apache-2.0 license, it is free of cost, but support and enterprise features might come at a premium.; Requirements: Requires Docker; Tags unique to docker-airflow: airflow, docker; Opt for docker-airflow if you are already using Docker in your workflow setup, because it seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure without needing additional configuration steps.
- When should I avoid compose?
- When your application orchestration needs extend beyond basic services definition and coordination provided by Compose files. If you are specifically targeting a legacy setup or need tools that were historically paired with Docker Swarm, as some recent enhancements may lack full compatibility. For users who require advanced orchestration features like horizontal scaling, service discovery, or load balancing outside of the capabilities offered by simple docker compose setups.
- When should I avoid docker-airflow?
- Avoid docker-airflow if you require a completely customized setup for your workflow management system and have limited experience or resources to understand and manage Docker configurations. Should be avoided in environments where there is no need for containerization benefits as using docker-airflow may introduce unneeded complexity.
- Is compose or docker-airflow more popular on GitHub?
- compose has more GitHub stars (38,178 vs 3,810). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are compose and docker-airflow open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (compose: Apache-2.0, docker-airflow: Apache-2.0).
- Where can I find alternatives to compose or docker-airflow?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at compose alternatives and docker-airflow alternatives (compose markdown twin, docker-airflow 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, compose or docker-airflow?
- compose: Very active. docker-airflow: Dormant. 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 compose and docker-airflow?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: compose trust report; docker-airflow trust report.