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Glances vs Dagster

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

Glances vs Dagster: at a glance

FeatureGlancesDagster
SectorAnalyticsAnalytics
Velocity score5.05.0
Sparks · 30d00
Top themessystem monitoring, security fixes, major version, rest apiorchestration, mcp, dbt-fusion, dagster-plus
Last editorial update4d ago4h ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is Glances?

Glances 4.5.9 closes out the 4.x line as a 5.0 beta opens for testing.

Glances 4.5.9 replaces the python-jose library, which carried a CVE, with PyJWT and updates every dependency. The notes say it is the last 4.x release and point users to a Glances 5.0.0 beta on Test PyPI and a dev Docker image. Most 4.5 releases this year were security and correctness fixes.

Read the full Glances trajectory →

What is Dagster?

Dagster drops Python 3.10 and lets agents run schedules and sensors through MCP.

Dagster's 1.13 line ships weekly and follows two threads. dagster-dbt no longer installs dbt-core and gained a dbt v2 extra for the Fusion engine, while the UI keeps getting phone layouts and faster search and catalog pages. 1.13.30 on November 12 makes Python 3.11 the minimum and widens the Dagster+ MCP server to reading and toggling schedules and sensors and managing partitions.

Read the full Dagster trajectory →

Glances vs Dagster: editorial side-by-side

G
Glances
ANALYTICS
5.0

Glances 4.5.9 closes out the 4.x line as a 5.0 beta opens for testing.

◆ Current state

Glances 4.5.9 replaces the python-jose library, which carried a CVE, with PyJWT and updates every dependency. The notes say it is the last 4.x release and point users to a Glances 5.0.0 beta on Test PyPI and a dev Docker image. Most 4.5 releases this year were security and correctness fixes.

◆ Where it's heading

After a year of CVE patches and alert correctness work on 4.5, the project is ending the 4.x line and moving to 5.0. The feed does not yet describe what changes in 5.0.

◆ Prediction

Expect further 5.0 betas and then a 5.0.0 release; whether it changes the plugin model, web UI or API is not visible in these entries.

D
Dagster
ANALYTICS
5.0

Dagster drops Python 3.10 and lets agents run schedules and sensors through MCP.

◆ Current state

Dagster's 1.13 line ships weekly and follows two threads. dagster-dbt no longer installs dbt-core and gained a dbt v2 extra for the Fusion engine, while the UI keeps getting phone layouts and faster search and catalog pages. 1.13.30 on November 12 makes Python 3.11 the minimum and widens the Dagster+ MCP server to reading and toggling schedules and sensors and managing partitions.

◆ Where it's heading

The Dagster+ MCP server has grown release by release, from launching runs without a code location in September to controlling schedules, sensors and partitions now. Combined with the dbt split, Dagster is trimming legacy dependencies while making the orchestrator something an agent can operate, not just a person in the UI.

◆ Prediction

The MCP server still lacks write access to things like backfills and alert policies, so expanding it there is the most visible next step; further Python and dbt version floors are likely to follow the 3.10 cut.

Alternatives to Glances and Dagster

Other Analytics 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 Glances or Dagster.

See all Glances alternatives → · See all Dagster alternatives →

Recent activity from Glances and Dagster

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

  1. 1d agoDagster1.13.30: Python 3.11 minimum, more Dagster+ MCP tools
  2. 6d agoGlancesGlances 4.5.9
  3. 8d agoDagster1.13.29: more mobile layouts, faster search and catalog
  4. 14d agoDagster1.13.28: dbt v2 extra and retries for failed code locations
  5. 18d agoDagster1.13.27: mobile run details, bounded BigQuery Insights scans
  6. 1mo agoGlancesGlances 4.5.8
  7. 1mo agoGlancesPre-cutover tag before the v4 migration
  8. 1mo agoDagster1.13.26: dagster-dbt stops installing dbt-core
  9. 1mo agoDagster1.13.25: phone layout for the Dagster UI, ECS run resumes
  10. 1mo agoGlancesGlances 4.5.7 fixes dozens of wrong or silent alerts
  11. 3mo agoGlancesCredential leak via URL values in /api/4/config
  12. 5mo agoGlancesContainer API latency, ARM GPU monitoring, AMP command-execution fix

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Glances and Dagster?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Glances and Dagster are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 5.0 vs 5.0, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is Glances better than Dagster?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Glances and Dagster are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 5.0 vs 5.0, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Analytics products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to Glances?

Top Glances alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Glances alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/glances for the full list with editorial commentary on each.

What are the best alternatives to Dagster?

Top Dagster alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Dagster alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/dagster for the full list with editorial commentary on each.