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Comparison · Infra & APIs

Apache DolphinScheduler vs Hatchet

A side-by-side editorial comparison of Apache DolphinScheduler and Hatchet — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

Apache DolphinScheduler vs Hatchet: at a glance

FeatureApache DolphinSchedulerHatchet
SectorInfra & APIsInfra & APIs
Velocity score2.56.3
Sparks · 30d00
Top themesworkflow-scheduler, data-engineering, apache, aws-integrationdurable-execution, reliability, sdks, sandboxes
Last editorial update2mo ago15h ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is Apache DolphinScheduler?

Apache DolphinScheduler adds missed fire policy and AWS EMR Serverless integration in its 3.4.x patch series.

DolphinScheduler 3.4.x is a mature data workflow scheduler on a quarterly patch cadence. Recent releases address real operational gaps: schedule missed fire policy handling (what happens when a job doesn't fire at its scheduled time), Amazon EMR Serverless as a new task plugin, configurable maximum runtime for workflow and task instances, and complement data dependency support. Security hygiene also landed — HTTP TRACE disabled, plaintext passwords removed from worker logs.

Read the full Apache DolphinScheduler trajectory →

What is Hatchet?

Hatchet chases DAG crash loops through three engine patches in a day.

Hatchet added sandboxes, Labs switches and cloud MFA in early November. The week since has been engine reliability: v0.120.3 batches DAG step triggers, v0.120.4 fixes stranded match rows and prunes database partitions before locking, and v0.120.5 removes another cause of DAG crash loops. Python SDK 1.46.0 makes it easier to unit-test tasks and passes failures to cleanup dependencies.

Read the full Hatchet trajectory →

Apache DolphinScheduler vs Hatchet: editorial side-by-side

A2.5

Apache DolphinScheduler adds missed fire policy and AWS EMR Serverless integration in its 3.4.x patch series.

◆ Current state

DolphinScheduler 3.4.x is a mature data workflow scheduler on a quarterly patch cadence. Recent releases address real operational gaps: schedule missed fire policy handling (what happens when a job doesn't fire at its scheduled time), Amazon EMR Serverless as a new task plugin, configurable maximum runtime for workflow and task instances, and complement data dependency support. Security hygiene also landed — HTTP TRACE disabled, plaintext passwords removed from worker logs.

◆ Where it's heading

The 3.4.x series is consolidating scheduler reliability (missed fire, dispatch timeout for missing worker groups, configurable max runtime) while expanding cloud integrations (AWS EMR Serverless, with prior support for SageMaker and Kubernetes from the 3.3.0 connection center work). The pattern is incremental operational hardening rather than architectural change. The 3.3.0-alpha connection center abstraction (Zeppelin, SageMaker, K8s) is the most notable structural addition in the visible history.

◆ Prediction

Additional AWS or cloud provider task plugins are the most likely near-term additions given the EMR Serverless landing. Scheduler reliability work will continue as the missed fire policy and timeout logic get extended to more edge cases.

H
Hatchet
INFRA · APIS
6.3

Hatchet chases DAG crash loops through three engine patches in a day.

◆ Current state

Hatchet added sandboxes, Labs switches and cloud MFA in early November. The week since has been engine reliability: v0.120.3 batches DAG step triggers, v0.120.4 fixes stranded match rows and prunes database partitions before locking, and v0.120.5 removes another cause of DAG crash loops. Python SDK 1.46.0 makes it easier to unit-test tasks and passes failures to cleanup dependencies.

◆ Where it's heading

After a burst of features, Hatchet is tuning the engine under load: fewer locks, batched triggers and crash-loop fixes. The SDKs are getting testing and correctness work to match.

◆ Prediction

Expect more v0.120.x patches on DAG handling, then a sandbox package out of release candidate.

Alternatives to Apache DolphinScheduler and Hatchet

Other Infra & APIs products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either Apache DolphinScheduler or Hatchet.

See all Apache DolphinScheduler alternatives → · See all Hatchet alternatives →

Recent activity from Apache DolphinScheduler and Hatchet

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 16h agoHatchetHatchet v0.120.5 fixes another DAG crash loop
  2. 17h agoHatchetPython SDK 1.46.0
  3. 20h agoHatchetHatchet v0.120.4 fixes stranded match rows
  4. 21h agoHatchetv0.120.4 alpha prunes partitions before locking
  5. 1d agoHatchetHatchet sandbox package 0.1.5 release candidate
  6. 1d agoHatchetHatchet v0.120.3 batches DAG step triggers
  7. 2mo agoApache DolphinSchedulerRelease 3.4.3
  8. 5mo agoApache DolphinSchedulerRelease 3.4.2
  9. 8mo agoApache DolphinSchedulerRelease 3.4.1
  10. 1y agoApache DolphinScheduler3.3.0 alpha: connection center for Zeppelin, SageMaker, and K8s

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Apache DolphinScheduler and Hatchet?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Hatchet is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 2.5), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is Apache DolphinScheduler better than Hatchet?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Hatchet is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 2.5), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Infra & APIs products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to Apache DolphinScheduler?

Top Apache DolphinScheduler alternatives in Infra & APIs are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Apache DolphinScheduler alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/dolphinscheduler for the full list with editorial commentary on each.

What are the best alternatives to Hatchet?

Top Hatchet alternatives in Infra & APIs are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Hatchet alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/hatchet for the full list with editorial commentary on each.