kitio.aiMetaflow vs ZenML
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Metaflow is completely free, while ZenML is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Workflows in plain Python
- Automatic versioning
- One-command production deploy
- Cloud compute and GPUs
- Event-based triggers
- Python pipeline orchestration
- Runs on your own infrastructure
- Agent session replay with Kitaru
- Evaluators and experiment runs
- Model and artifact control planes
- Self-hosted open source
| Feature | Metaflow | ZenML |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Open-source Python framework for ML and AI workflows | Open-source orchestration for ML pipelines and AI agents |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting price | Free | $39/mo |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | Yes |
| Made by | Outerbounds | ZenML |
| Based in | – | Germany |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Metaflow is completely free, while ZenML is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Open Source
Free
- Self-hosted
- Evaluators and experiment runs
- Community support
Kitaru Cloud
$39/mo
- 3 agents and 2 seats
- 90-day session retention
- Hosted dashboard
- 14-day full-access trial
Scale
$999/mo
- 2,000 executions per month
- 3 projects
- Model and artifact control planes
- Audit logs
Enterprise
Custom
- Air-gapped deployment
- Custom limits
Prices in USD, checked Oct 29, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Metaflow
- Free and open source
- Same code runs locally and in production
- Tracks every step automatically
- Requires Python skills
- Cloud setup takes effort
ZenML
- Apache 2.0 open source core
- Works with existing orchestrators and clouds
- Replays real sessions to test agent changes
- Flat $39 plan for Kitaru Cloud
- Scale plan starts at $999 a month
- Requires Python engineering skills
- Self-hosting means running it yourself
Which one should you choose?
Choose Metaflow if you want:
- Free and open source
- Same code runs locally and in production
- Tracks every step automatically
Watch out: requires python skills.
Choose ZenML if you want:
- Apache 2.0 open source core
- Works with existing orchestrators and clouds
- Replays real sessions to test agent changes
Watch out: scale plan starts at $999 a month.
Metaflow vs ZenML FAQ
What is the difference between Metaflow and ZenML?
Metaflow: Open-source Python framework for ML and AI workflows. ZenML: Open-source orchestration for ML pipelines and AI agents. Both are models & apis tools.
Is Metaflow or ZenML cheaper?
Metaflow is completely free, while ZenML is freemium.
Do Metaflow and ZenML have free plans?
Metaflow: Yes, fully free. ZenML: Yes.
Who makes Metaflow?
Metaflow is made by Outerbounds.
Who makes ZenML?
ZenML is made by ZenML, based in Germany.
Which should I choose, Metaflow or ZenML?
Choose Metaflow if you value free and open source and same code runs locally and in production. Choose ZenML if you value apache 2.0 open source core and works with existing orchestrators and clouds.