What's the difference between Trigger.dev and Inngest?
Quick Answer: Trigger.dev is a fully Apache 2.0 durable runner with task-based authoring, machine-size selection, and first-class self-host. Inngest is a developer-first event-driven step platform with an open-source dev server, a managed cloud, 50,000 step runs/month free, and $20/month Hobby pricing.
Trigger.dev vs Inngest: Direct Comparison
Trigger.dev (2022, London, Apache 2.0) and Inngest (2021, San Francisco, OSS dev server plus managed cloud) are both TypeScript-first durable runners but ship different programming models and license postures.
Programming Model
Trigger.dev v3 uses task-based authoring with retries, concurrency limits, and machine-size selection per task. Tasks are compiled and deployed via CLI to the Trigger.dev runtime.
Inngest uses event-driven step authoring. A function listens on an event or schedule and runs sequential or parallel step.run, step.sleep, step.waitForEvent, and step.sendEvent calls, each independently retryable.
License and Self-Host
Trigger.dev is fully Apache 2.0 across the platform with first-class self-host via Docker Compose or Kubernetes. Inngest open-sources the dev server only; the production cloud is proprietary, with self-host available on enterprise plans.
Pricing (May 2026)
- Trigger.dev: Hobby free tier; Pro from $20/month with run and machine fees; self-host zero license cost
- Inngest: Free 50K step runs/month; Hobby $20/month; Pro $50-$500/month tiers
When Each Wins
Trigger.dev wins when the Apache 2.0 license is decisive (compliance, sovereignty, open-source policy) or self-host on the team's own infrastructure is a first-class requirement. Inngest wins when event-driven step semantics fit the workflow shape better than task-based jobs and managed cloud with zero ops is the priority.
For deeper analysis, see the Trigger.dev vs Inngest 2026 comparison guide.
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