Head-to-head · Task Queue Software
Trigger.dev vs pg-boss
Trigger.dev leads on 0 checks, pg-boss on 3, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreTrigger.dev · 4.6/10
- Free planboth
- Most featurespg-boss · 3 of 3
Our editors rank Trigger.dev at #2 and pg-boss at #6 for task queue software; pg-boss has no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.
pg-boss offers custom retry policy; Trigger.dev doesn't publish it. pg-boss offers scheduled jobs; Trigger.dev doesn't publish it. pg-boss offers dead-letter queue; Trigger.dev doesn't publish it.
Trigger.dev is the better fit for typeScript durable tasks with previews. pg-boss is the better fit for postgreSQL-backed JavaScript queues.
- Trigger.dev fits best
TypeScript durable tasks with previews
- pg-boss fits best
PostgreSQL-backed JavaScript queues
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Side by side
| Feature | Trigger.dev 4.6/10 Visit ↗ | pg-boss —/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 4.6 | — |
| Ranking | #2 in Task Queue Software | #6 in Task Queue Software |
| Best for | TypeScript durable tasks with previews | PostgreSQL-backed JavaScript queues |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | $10/mo | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Integrations | 4 integrations | 9 integrations |
| Features Trigger.dev 0/3 · pg-boss 3/3 | ||
| Custom retry policy | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Scheduled jobs | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Dead-letter queue | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment model | Not published | Self_hosted |
| Maximum payload size | Not published | Not published |
| Official SDK languages | Not published | JavaScript, TypeScript |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Trigger.dev is an open-source platform for building and deploying durable background jobs, AI agents, and workflow tasks in code. It is designed for developers working with TypeScript and JavaScript, while also supporting Node.js, Bun, and… Read the review → |
pg-boss is an open-source background job queue for Node.js applications, built on PostgreSQL for asynchronous execution and worker processing. It suits JavaScript teams that want queue infrastructure alongside an existing PostgreSQL-backed… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Trigger.dev — where it wins
- Durable execution with retries, checkpointing, queues, and scheduling
- Preview branches provide isolated environments for task development
- Open-source deployment through managed cloud or self-hosting
Where it doesn't
- Primarily targets background jobs rather than conventional HTTP serverless hosting
- Python support runs through a Python build extension
- Enterprise pricing uses custom discounts and plan terms
pg-boss — where it wins
- Retries, backoff, redriveable dead-letter queues, and dependencies
- Cron, RRULE, deferred jobs, throttling, and debouncing
- Adapters for Knex, Kysely, Drizzle, and Prisma
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment requires operational ownership
- Its core fit is strongest for PostgreSQL-compatible systems
- Official SDK support centers on JavaScript and TypeScript
- Trigger.dev4.6/10 · Free plan · paid from $10/mo
A strong fit for durable TypeScript tasks, queues, retries, and preview environments.
Visit Trigger.devFull verdict → - pg-boss—/10 · Free plan
A deep, self-hosted queue for JavaScript teams already working with PostgreSQL.
Visit pg-bossFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026