Windmill

Windmill is a code-first orchestration platform designed for building and running internal software. It functions as a workflow engine that allows developers to create scripts, workflows, applications, agents, and data pipelines. The platform supports development either within the Windmill UI or locally using the Windmill CLI or MCP.

It is designed to handle complex internal operations, from simple scripts to large-scale data pipelines. The system is built to be highly scalable, supporting environments from single-node VPS instances up to 1,000-node Kubernetes clusters. Observability is built-in, meaning every run tracks its inputs, logs, and results, and failures can trigger alerts.

For teams requiring strict governance, Windmill supports self-hosting on private infrastructure and adheres to SOC 2 Type II standards. Deployment is managed through Git sync, allowing changes to be built in a workspace fork, reviewed, and deployed through staging and production environments. Enterprise features, including SAML and SCIM, permissions per folder, and audit logs, are available on Enterprise Edition and Cloud plans.

Best for:

• Building internal operational scripts and automation.
• Orchestrating complex AI workflows using AI Sessions.
• Managing data pipelines for internal applications.
• Creating custom development environments with CI/CD workflows.
• Running mission-critical tasks that require high availability and auto-scaling.

Frequently asked questions

Is Windmill open source?

Yes, it is described as an open-source workflow engine.

How does the platform handle security?

It supports self-hosting on your own infrastructure, provides SOC 2 Type II compliance, and allows users to manage their own workers and network.

What is the deployment process?

Deployment can be handled via Docker or Kubernetes. Enterprise features include Git sync, allowing changes to be managed through forks and merge requests across dev, staging, and production environments.

Can I use AI within the workflows?

Yes, the platform allows users to build and run workflows using AI directly within the Windmill UI through AI Sessions.

What are the pricing details?

Specific pricing is not detailed in the provided source material, but Enterprise Edition and Cloud plans are available.

Alternatives

• Retool if you need a platform to drag, drop, code, and ship internal applications quickly.
• Make if you require a visual platform to build and automate tasks and systems.
• Zapier if you need a tool to connect various applications and automate workflows without coding.
• Process Street if you are looking for an AI-powered tool focused on process management and team collaboration.