Huey
Huey: A feature-rich self-hosted queue for scheduled, retried, and prioritized Python tasks. Ranked #22 of 36 in Task Queue Software by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Open source; best for feature-rich lightweight Python queues.
At a glance
- Editor score7.1 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forFeature-rich lightweight Python queues
- Paid fromFree
- Deployment modelSelf_hosted
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Scheduling, retries, backoff, priorities, and recurring tasks
- Pipelines, chains, groups, chords, locking, and rate limits
- Process, thread, and greenlet worker modes
Where it doesn't
- Requires self-hosted deployment and operational ownership
- Integration options center on Python, Django, and selected backends
- May be more capability than simple background jobs require
Our verdict on Huey
Huey is an open-source Python task queue library for developers who need background work, delayed execution, scheduled jobs, and recurring crontab-style tasks. It runs as a self-hosted deployment and supports Redis, Valkey, Redict, PostgreSQL, SQLite, filesystem, and in-memory storage. Django integration is included, while the consumer is operated from the command line. Huey fits teams that want queue functionality inside a Python application without adopting a hosted SaaS product.
Its strongest advantage is the breadth of queue controls in a lightweight library. Tasks can use configurable retries, delays, and backoff, with prioritization, result storage, expiration, locking, rate limits, and timeouts. Workflow features include pipelines, chains, groups, and chords, giving developers options for coordinating related work rather than handling each task independently. Multiple worker modes—multi-process, multi-thread, and greenlet—also provide flexibility for different application architectures.
Huey is most suitable when a team can operate its own queue infrastructure and wants a Python-focused tool with scheduling and workflow depth. Its ecosystem fit is clearest for applications using the supported storage systems or Django; teams needing a broader integration catalog or a hosted operating model should consider another product. Choose Huey for control over deployment and a concentrated set of task-queue capabilities. Choose an alternative when managed infrastructure, a wider platform ecosystem, or a simpler scheduling-only workflow matters more than self-hosted flexibility.
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Huey pricing
Huey fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment model | Self_hosted |
| Custom retry policy | Yes |
| Scheduled jobs | Yes |
| Dead-letter queue | Not verified |
| Maximum payload size | Not verified |
| Official SDK languages | Python |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: Redis, Valkey, Redict, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Django |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | huey.readthedocs.io |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Huey integrations
Huey lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- Redis
- Valkey
- Redict
- PostgreSQL
- SQLite
- Django
Alternatives to Huey
- HatchetA code-first queue for durable execution, observable workflows, and AI task orchestration.9.4
- Trigger.devA strong fit for durable TypeScript tasks, queues, retries, and preview environments.9.2
- InngestA flexible task engine for serverless teams that need durable, observable execution.9.0
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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