Overview
Prefect is a modern Python-native workflow orchestration framework. Built as a response to Airflow's limitations, it lets you turn any Python function into a workflow with just a decorator. Prefect Cloud provides observability and scheduling without the infrastructure burden.
Key Features
- ✓ Python Native: Just add decorators to existing code
- ✓ Dynamic Workflows: Build workflows programmatically at runtime
- ✓ Async Support: First-class async/await support
- ✓ Hybrid Execution: Run anywhere, observe from Cloud
- ✓ Flexible Infrastructure: Kubernetes, Docker, serverless
- ✓ Automations: Event-driven triggers and notifications
Pros
- 👍 Lowest barrier to entry (just decorators)
- 👍 Works with existing Python code
- 👍 Generous free tier on Prefect Cloud
- 👍 Excellent developer experience
- 👍 Active community and development
- 👍 No need to manage scheduler infrastructure
Cons
- 👎 Smaller ecosystem than Airflow
- 👎 Fewer pre-built integrations
- 👎 Less enterprise adoption (so far)
- 👎 Prefect 1 to 2 migration was disruptive
Best For
Python teams who want simple orchestration without Airflow's complexity. Great for ML workflows, microservices, and teams already writing Python scripts they want to productionize.
Founded: 2018 HQ: Washington, DC