Trigger.dev
Durable TypeScript background jobs and AI agents with full runtime control
What is Trigger.dev?
Trigger.dev is an open-source (Apache 2.0) TypeScript platform for durable background jobs and long-running AI agent tasks, with built-in retries, queues, scheduling, and realtime streaming to the frontend. Unlike pure workflow engines, it lets you install system packages (FFmpeg, Prisma, Python) inside task runtimes. Aimed at Node/TS teams who want background infra without running their own workers.
Tools for building, hosting, testing, observing, connecting, and giving memory or computer access to AI agents.
See the full Agent Infrastructure guide to compare more tools, buyer criteria, and related workflows.
Use cases to evaluate
Running long, durable AI agent tasks with retries and streaming
Browser automation and Python execution inside background jobs
Scheduled cron-style workflows triggering on app events
Realtime task status streamed to a React frontend
Fit to evaluate
TypeScript/Next.js teams building AI agents
Startups avoiding self-managed worker fleets
Companies needing custom binaries (FFmpeg, headless browsers) in jobs
Teams that may want to self-host later for compliance
Business fit
Right for you if you're shipping AI agents in TypeScript and want streaming + human-in-the-loop primitives without standing up Temporal yourself. Skip if your stack is Python-only or you need a visual workflow builder for non-engineers. Distinctive: you can apt-get install dependencies into your task runtime, which most managed job platforms forbid. Self-hosting is a real option (15.1k+ GitHub stars) if data residency matters.
How to evaluate Trigger.dev
Use this category when a business wants agents that do work across tools, APIs, browsers, and data sources.
Confirm the exact workflow
Map Trigger.dev to one concrete workflow first, such as running long, durable ai agent tasks with retries and streaming. Avoid buying before the owner, trigger, output, and success metric are clear.
Check category fit
Compare tool-calling, memory, browser automation, evals, observability, and deployment controls.
Compare practical alternatives
Shortlist Trigger.dev against Orgo, Browser Use, Browserbase so the decision is based on fit, effort, and workflow ownership rather than brand recognition alone.
Validate cost and rollout effort
Free: $0/mo with $5 included usage, 20 concurrent runs. Hobby: $10/mo ($10 usage included). Pro: $50/mo ($50 usage included, 200 concurrent runs, extra 50-run blocks $10/mo, extra seats $20/mo). Enterprise is custom. Compute billed at $0.000025/run invocation + per-second machine pricing ($0.0000169/s Micro to $0.00068/s Large 2x). Also confirm implementation time, support needs, and whether the technical setup matches your team.
Compare Trigger.dev with alternatives
Use this quick comparison before booking demos or moving data into a new system.
| Primary workflow | Running long, durable AI agent tasks with retries and streaming, Browser automation and Python execution inside background jobs |
|---|---|
| Best-fit team | TypeScript/Next.js teams building AI agents, Startups avoiding self-managed worker fleets |
| Implementation effort | Technical setup and maintenance profile |
| Pricing check | Free plan + paid plans |
| Closest alternatives | OrgoBrowser UseBrowserbaseHyperbrowser |
Trigger.dev pricing
| Model | Free plan + paid plans |
|---|---|
| Snapshot | Free: $0/mo with $5 included usage, 20 concurrent runs. Hobby: $10/mo ($10 usage included). Pro: $50/mo ($50 usage included, 200 concurrent runs, extra 50-run blocks $10/mo, extra seats $20/mo). Enterprise is custom. Compute billed at $0.000025/run invocation + per-second machine pricing ($0.0000169/s Micro to $0.00068/s Large 2x). |
| Checked |
Common questions about Trigger.dev
What is Trigger.dev?
Trigger.dev is an open-source (Apache 2.0) TypeScript platform for durable background jobs and long-running AI agent tasks, with built-in retries, queues, scheduling, and realtime streaming to the frontend. Unlike pure workflow engines, it lets you install system packages (FFmpeg, Prisma, Python) inside task runtimes. Aimed at Node/TS teams who want background infra without running their own workers.
What is Trigger.dev used for?
Common use cases: Running long, durable AI agent tasks with retries and streaming; Browser automation and Python execution inside background jobs; Scheduled cron-style workflows triggering on app events; Realtime task status streamed to a React frontend.
How much does Trigger.dev cost?
Free: $0/mo with $5 included usage, 20 concurrent runs. Hobby: $10/mo ($10 usage included). Pro: $50/mo ($50 usage included, 200 concurrent runs, extra 50-run blocks $10/mo, extra seats $20/mo). Enterprise is custom. Compute billed at $0.000025/run invocation + per-second machine pricing ($0.0000169/s Micro to $0.00068/s Large 2x).
Who is Trigger.dev best for?
Trigger.dev fits TypeScript/Next.js teams building AI agents, Startups avoiding self-managed worker fleets, Companies needing custom binaries (FFmpeg, headless browsers) in jobs, Teams that may want to self-host later for compliance. Right for you if you're shipping AI agents in TypeScript and want streaming + human-in-the-loop primitives without standing up Temporal yourself. Skip if your stack is Python-only or you need a visual workflow builder for non-engineers. Distinctive: you can apt-get install dependencies into your task runtime, which most managed job platforms forbid. Self-hosting is a real option (15.1k+ GitHub stars) if data residency matters.
What are alternatives to Trigger.dev?
Common alternatives to Trigger.dev include Orgo, Browser Use, Browserbase, Hyperbrowser, Steel, Anchor Browser.