# Kestra (open-source, declarative workflow orchestration)

> Updated 2026-10-31 · type: tool · category: workflow-automation · status: active · rev 1

Kestra swaps per-task Zapier billing for self-hosted YAML workflows that trigger on events, run any language and stay versioned in Git.

- Open source: yes (Apache-2.0)
- Self-hostable: yes
- Pricing: Open-source edition free (Apache-2.0). A paid Enterprise Edition adds RBAC, policies and governance features (README); no public prices checked.
- Best for: Ops and RevOps teams paying per-task automation fees who can run a Docker service and want lead routing, enrichment syncs and reporting jobs as reviewable YAML in Git.
- Not for: Non-technical teams that want a no-code app-to-app connector with zero hosting; Kestra assumes someone owns a server and writes YAML.
- Version: 2.0.7
- Last verified: 2026-10-31

- **Canonical:** https://gtmstacker.com/registry/tool/kestra/
- **Source:** [can't believe ten repos just killed your Zapier bill](https://x.com/ridark_eth/status/2116272180673794129) — ridark_eth
- **Tags:** workflow-automation, orchestration, yaml, event-driven, zapier-alternative, self-hosted, open-source
- **Repository:** https://github.com/kestra-io/kestra
- **Version:** 2.0.7

## Is Kestra (open-source, declarative workflow orchestration) open source?

Yes, Kestra (open-source, declarative workflow orchestration) is open source under the Apache-2.0 license.

## How much does Kestra (open-source, declarative workflow orchestration) cost?

Open-source edition free (Apache-2.0). A paid Enterprise Edition adds RBAC, policies and governance features (README); no public prices checked. (freemium).

## Can I self-host Kestra (open-source, declarative workflow orchestration)?

Yes, Kestra (open-source, declarative workflow orchestration) can be self-hosted (the source is available under the Apache-2.0 license).

## Alternatives & related

- [Apache Airflow](https://gtmstacker.com/registry/tool/apache-airflow/)
- [Temporal](https://gtmstacker.com/registry/tool/temporal/)
- [Activepieces](https://gtmstacker.com/registry/tool/activepieces/)


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**Kestra** (`kestra-io/kestra`) is an **Apache-2.0** open-source orchestration platform. Workflows ("flows") are written in **declarative YAML**, triggered by schedules or events, versioned in Git, and can run scripts in any language. A plugin ecosystem covers databases, cloud storage and APIs; v2 adds plugin UI artifacts, the `kestractl` CLI and VM task runners on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and Huawei Cloud.

## Provenance

- License **Apache-2.0** (GitHub license API `spdx_id` and LICENSE file).
- Identity: official `kestra-io` org, created 2019-08-24, not a fork, not archived.
- Activity as of 2026-10-31 (GitHub API): **30,094 stars, 3,494 forks**, last push 2026-10-30, latest release **v2.0.7** (2026-10-20).
- Install: one `docker run` quick start (UI on :8080), plus AWS CloudFormation and Google Cloud Terraform templates.
- **Vendor claim:** plugin breadth and execution scale are README statements.
- Surfaced in a 10-repo "replace Zapier" X listicle in the 2026-10-31 pull. Of the ten repos, only Kestra, Langflow, RAGFlow and Node-RED carry plain OSI-permissive licenses; n8n, Dify, FastGPT, AutoGPT, Inngest and Windmill carry extra terms (6 of 10, not the post's 4). Curated and verified in run `2026-10-31-registry-update-01` (step-3 verification, 2026-10-31).

## Why it matters for a GTM stack

Per-task automation pricing grows with volume: Zapier's Professional plan lists 2,000 tasks at $49/mo and 100,000 at $489/mo (annual billing, pricing page fetched 2026-10-31). A RevOps team that already runs lead routing, enrichment syncs and CRM hygiene jobs at volume can move the heavy, predictable flows to Kestra and keep them reviewable in Git. Keep the long tail of one-off app connections where they are; move the expensive, high-volume jobs first.