Must have
Installation requirements
- A supported Python environment for the selected Airflow release.
- A metadata database compatible with the selected release.
- An executor and worker arrangement that can run the intended tasks.
Application hosting
Hosting Apache Airflow
Apache Airflow schedules and monitors workflows made of dependent tasks. It suits data pipelines and recurring jobs where the order of work, retries and run history matter. Workflows are defined in Python, and the web interface helps operators follow each run. Airflow coordinates those tasks; it does not remove the compute or service costs of the work they perform.
Requirements last checked against the project's documentation.
A sensible first server for Apache Airflow is 2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM and 40 GB of storage. The cheapest listed plan that fits is OVHcloud VPS-2 (US) at $8.50/month.
Understand the setup
Find the software and services needed to run the application.
See requirementsBudget your resources
Plan memory, storage and CPU for the way you will use it.
Open resource plannerBuild your shortlist
Compare plans for the starting size, then review the provider and billing terms.
See plansRecommended
Planning guidance
- Start with 2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM and 40 GB storage.Resize after watching real memory and CPU use under your own traffic.
- Use the resource planner to size for your user count.
Choosing a server for Apache Airflow
Airflow recommends at least 4 GB of memory, with actual needs depending on deployment. Treat that as a platform starting point, not capacity for every task. Worker concurrency and task memory can dominate the total.
Where to start
A sensible first server for Apache Airflow
- vCPU
- 2
- RAM
- 8 GB
- Disk
- 40 GB
Airflow's Docker Compose guide says to give Docker at least 4 GB of memory, ideally 8 GB. The vCPU count and disk are our estimates.
Our shortlist
Cheapest plans that meet this size
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$8.50/mo list price
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$14.99/mo list price
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$20.00/mo list price
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$21.99/mo list price
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$26.99/mo list price
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$32.12/mo list price
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$32.88/mo list price
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$36.59/mo list price
One cheapest plan per provider, based on each provider's standard list price. Check the plan page for introductory and renewal pricing before you buy.
Deploy with
Supported paths
The host must provide
Runtime
- Python
- Airflow 3.3.2 documentation supports Python 3.10–3.14.
- Metadata database
- Use a supported PostgreSQL or MySQL release for production; check the Airflow version matrix.
Storage
Persistent data
Preserve workflow code, configuration and metadata database backups. Task logs and output datasets need their own storage and retention policy; the metadata database is not a copy of every file produced by a workflow.
Step by step
Plan your Apache Airflow deployment
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Pin the environment
Choose the Airflow and Python versions together and install with the matching constraints file.
Official instructions -
Prepare production services
Configure the metadata database and run the required components separately instead of relying on the local standalone quick start.
Official instructions -
Control task execution
Choose the executor, set concurrency and retries, and run a small workflow before scheduling important jobs.
Official instructions
Security
Before you go public
- Only trusted users should be able to deploy workflow code.
- Keep service credentials private and restrict administrative access to the interface and execution environment.
Cost
Beyond the server price
- Budget for schedulers, workers, the metadata database and logs.
- Cloud queries, storage transfers and external services called by tasks can cost more than the Airflow service itself.
Want the full monthly bill? Use the hosting cost calculator. Add storage, backups and other costs to your estimate.