Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Apache Airflow
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Apache Airflow is an open source tool that can be used to programmatically author, schedule and monitor data pipelines using Python and SQL.N/A
Control-M
Score 9.3 out of 10
N/A
Control-M from BMC is a platform for integrating, automating, and orchestrating application and data workflows in production across complex hybrid technology ecosystems. It provides deep operational capabilities, delivering speed, scale, security, and governance.
$29,000
per year
Tidal by Redwood
Score 6.7 out of 10
N/A
Tidal Automation, from Redwood Software since the early 2023 acquisition, is an enterprise workload automation platform for automating and orchestrating cross-application, cross-platform workloads – in on-prem, cloud or hybrid environments – from one central point of control. Tidal is used to optimize mission-critical business processes, manage…N/A
Pricing
Apache AirflowControl-MTidal by Redwood
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
On-Premise
Contact Sales
SaaS
Starting at $29,000
per year
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Apache AirflowControl-MTidal by Redwood
Free Trial
NoYesNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesNoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Apache AirflowControl-MTidal by Redwood
Considered Multiple Products
Apache Airflow

No answer on this topic

Control-M
Chose Control-M
We need end to end automation, so using Control-M we can achieve this but by using Azure Automation it automates data pipelines across the cloud. Compared to Autosys, Control-M has more advanced and modern UI and simple job life cycle management. When compared with Apache …
Chose Control-M
It supports both on-prem and cloud environments.
Easy to handle complex, multi-system workflows more efficiently.
Helped reduce manual intervention, which has decreased errors and operational costs.
Chose Control-M
Control-M stands out in the workload automation space for its robust orchestration capabilities, especially in complex, hybrid IT environmentsActiveBatch: Known for its rich integrations and intuitive workflow designer,

ActiveBatch often scores higher in ease of use and …
Chose Control-M
We have been using Control-M for almost 20 years and our teams are already trained to use it. Other tools are not as robust and resilient as Control-M. Control-M's graphical interface is very easy to use.
Chose Control-M
We would still use Control-M as overall orchestrator to manage the workflows created in these other products. We do not consider them as a replacement for Control-M.
Chose Control-M
Control-M comes out on top in this comparison.

It is a very innovative and feature-rich solution and can be used to complete many diverse tasks and solve different issues, resulting in significant time savings and cost-effectiveness.
Chose Control-M
more user friendly and more option to schdule the steams and schedules
Tidal by Redwood
Chose Tidal by Redwood
I liked the ability to write code directly within Automic. I understood the logic of the "object oriented" design of the user interface, but I felt it was confusing to understand and troubleshoot.

You don't have to look too deep into Control-M to see it's mainframe roots. The …
Chose Tidal by Redwood
compare to Control-M , Tidal automation is much better in way of job creation and maintained . Installation of Agent and Adapter configuration , API features which can automate the Task of scheduling and creation . we have both GUI and CLI to maintain the jobs and admin work. …
Chose Tidal by Redwood
The time-to-deliver an automated job was much less with Tidal by Redwood than the other automation solutions. Tidal by Redwood product is much more evolved than many newer market contenders.
Chose Tidal by Redwood
Tidal by Redwood excels at performing complex workflows, event-driven automation, and compliance-focused procedures in big companies with varied IT infrastructures. This includes claims, policy, and billing processes are included in this. The sending of our documents and checks …
Chose Tidal by Redwood
Tidal Automation had the best and most transparent pricing. Tidal Automation has the best dedicated team investing in the development of the product. Tidal Automation was always ahead of its time in the Workload Automation industry. It has the best in industry documentation of …
Features
Apache AirflowControl-MTidal by Redwood
Workload Automation
Comparison of Workload Automation features of Product A and Product B
Apache Airflow
8.7
12 Ratings
5% above category average
Control-M
8.8
178 Ratings
6% above category average
Tidal by Redwood
8.3
19 Ratings
0% above category average
Multi-platform scheduling9.312 Ratings9.5174 Ratings8.716 Ratings
Central monitoring8.912 Ratings9.3162 Ratings8.618 Ratings
Logging8.612 Ratings8.5165 Ratings8.519 Ratings
Alerts and notifications9.312 Ratings8.8166 Ratings8.519 Ratings
Analysis and visualization6.812 Ratings8.5159 Ratings8.019 Ratings
Application integration9.412 Ratings8.6160 Ratings7.818 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Apache AirflowControl-MTidal by Redwood
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

No answers on this topic

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
ActiveBatch Workload Automation
ActiveBatch Workload Automation
Score 7.5 out of 10
Apache Airflow
Apache Airflow
Score 8.7 out of 10
Apache Airflow
Apache Airflow
Score 8.7 out of 10
Enterprises
Control-M
Control-M
Score 9.3 out of 10
Redwood RunMyJobs
Redwood RunMyJobs
Score 9.6 out of 10
Control-M
Control-M
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Apache AirflowControl-MTidal by Redwood
Likelihood to Recommend
8.8
(12 ratings)
9.3
(162 ratings)
7.4
(21 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
9.4
(24 ratings)
2.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
8.2
(3 ratings)
9.1
(118 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(8 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
8.9
(8 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(19 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.3
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.9
(6 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.3
(13 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.2
(9 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(5 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.2
(7 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(8 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(7 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.2
(9 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(9 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Apache AirflowControl-MTidal by Redwood
Likelihood to Recommend
Apache
Airflow is well-suited for data engineering pipelines, creating scheduled workflows, and working with various data sources. You can implement almost any kind of DAG for any use case using the different operators or enforce your operator using the Python operator with ease. The MLOps feature of Airflow can be enhanced to match MLFlow-like features, making Airflow the go-to solution for all workloads, from data science to data engineering.
Read full review
BMC Software Inc.
Anytime you have a process that has to do multiple things, transfer data, interact with other systems, Control-M is critical. Not only does it provide the insight to what is going on, but it also lets you keep tight audit controls over access, reduces the need to spend large amounts of time tracking down issues, reduces the need to write custom "code" to do integrations with other systems and helps you better manage and track critical SLAs for workflows across the business.
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Redwood Software
On coming to well suited experience while error handling and effortless recovery processes are crucial, Tidal performs exceptionally well. It can identify and fix automated issues, reducing downtime and interruptions. A smaller automation solution may be more cost-effective if a business primarily utilizes a single platform or uses a small number of applications that do not require complex integration.
Read full review
Pros
Apache
  • Apache Airflow is one of the best Orchestration platforms and a go-to scheduler for teams building a data platform or pipelines.
  • Apache Airflow supports multiple operators, such as the Databricks, Spark, and Python operators. All of these provide us with functionality to implement any business logic.
  • Apache Airflow is highly scalable, and we can run a large number of DAGs with ease. It provided HA and replication for workers. Maintaining airflow deployments is very easy, even for smaller teams, and we also get lots of metrics for observability.
Read full review
BMC Software Inc.
  • The good thing is that there are so many connectors available. Control-M provides lots of features, and we are using almost 60 to 70% of them. Control-M is providing us with so much capability to use during our daily problem-solving.
  • Most of the job creation is very simple and quick and worked as per expectations.
  • Testing and debugging are also very easy, and you can test multiple scenarios using temporary changes during job runs.
  • Log and output presentations are also very good, short and detailed.
  • To monitor specific job net, we can create viewpoint, which can be use on daily basis.
Read full review
Redwood Software
  • Tidal Automation allows us to automate and schedule/ perform various tasks in a easy and effective manner. It is highly interactive and effective allowing nearly 4k -5k jobs to run a day.
  • Tidal is designed to be easily shareable and collaborative allowing multiple users to work at a particular time making work effective.
  • Tidal allows us to ensure that every event which is triggered is exactly when it's supposed to be regardless of other activities which are going as well.
  • It is user-friendly to generate the reports required of a particular object and allows us to test the codes perfectly well before executing in live environment.
Read full review
Cons
Apache
  • UI/Dashboard can be updated to be customisable, and jobs summary in groups of errors/failures/success, instead of each job, so that a summary of errors can be used as a starting point for reviewing them.
  • Navigation - It's a bit dated. Could do with more modern web navigation UX. i.e. sidebars navigation instead of browser back/forward.
  • Again core functional reorg in terms of UX. Navigation can be improved for core functions as well, instead of discovery.
Read full review
BMC Software Inc.
  • I haven't come across too many spots where I'm not happy with the product. Most of the shortfalls were in my knowledge of the product as opposed to the actual product. Currently we're having a little bit of an issue with the deployment of the software to the servers, but it's more of an "us" problem than a product problem. I can't really give any good examples of shortfalls of the product that I've found so far.
Read full review
Redwood Software
  • Still a bit slow when navigating. If you close a job you have to wait a few seconds to open another one. Even when you made no changes.
  • When viewing a job and make no changes, the "ok" button changes the last modified date as if you made a change. No big deal, but wastes time when troubleshooting a problem and looking into what jobs were changed last.
  • You can see the parameters column in the "job activity", but not in "Job definitions".
  • Can't search the parameters field in the filter.
  • Changing a variable name does not change it on the job. It still works because Tidal Automation uses the ID number. It just causes confusion when you see a variable on a job and can't find the variable under "Variables". On top of that, Tidal Automation does not show the ID column under "Variables" making it even more difficult to find the variable.
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Likelihood to Renew
Apache
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
It is one of the best solutions on the market, in terms of innovation, reliability and stability. Control-M provides security when used by the largest companies in Mexico such as banks, department stores and logistics. It has proven to be able to integrate with new technologies on the market and provide almost 100% availability, thanks to its automatic FailOver scheme.
Read full review
Redwood Software
We are on the fence. The increased pricing for renewals is staggering. With new automation options like Microsoft's Power Automate and Event Driven Ansible on the field, there are other options now available.
Read full review
Usability
Apache
For its capability to connect with multicloud environments. Access Control management is something that we don't get in all the schedulers and orchestrators. But although it provides so many flexibility and options to due to python , some level of knowledge of python is needed to be able to build workflows.
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BMC Software Inc.
User experience is meeting my expectations. We had a manual checklist, which Control-M Reports has now replaced, that helped us check the jobs without any issues. So, being fair with the work, the ratings should also be fair. More to come as the AI progresses; this will not only help motivate the Control-M Developers but also lead to the development of advanced technology.
Read full review
Redwood Software
No answers on this topic
Reliability and Availability
Apache
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
Secondary Instances: Control-M supports the installation of a secondary instance of the entire Control-M environment, Control-M/EM, or Control-M/Server.Automatic & Manual Failover: In case of a failure on the primary host, Control-M can automatically failover to the secondary host if using Oracle or MSSQL databases. Manual failover is also an option, enabling a controlled switch during planned maintenance.Fallback: After resolving the issue on the primary host, you can easily fall back to it, or even designate the secondary host as the new primary. Database Replication: For high availability, Control-M leverages database replication from the primary site to a disaster recovery site. While replication is essential, its implementation and maintenance are the user's responsibility.
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Redwood Software
No answers on this topic
Performance
Apache
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
good page load times, efficient report completion, and minimal impact on integrated systems. Specifically, the well-designed GUI contributes to a positive user experience, and the platform's ability to automate various stages of the workflow, including Big Data processes, is highlighted as a key strength. Fast Page Loads: Control-M is reported to have a responsive user interface with fast page load times, allowing users to quickly navigate and manage their workflows
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Redwood Software
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Apache
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
Support is generally excellent. Getting lower priority ones resolved can take a while, but it's rare for something to have to be dumped in the "unfixable" bin. If you end up speaking to Houston or Tel Aviv, then you know you've got a "live one".
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Redwood Software
No answers on this topic
In-Person Training
Apache
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
Very knowledgeable instructors provide a hands-on, collaborative learning experience and can interact directly with instructors to develop our Control-M skills. This format allows for immediate feedback, in-depth discussions, and tailored guidance, leading to a deeper understanding of Control-M concepts and practical application. Face-to-face interaction fosters higher engagement and a more dynamic learning environment.
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Redwood Software
No answers on this topic
Online Training
Apache
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
Simple and easy to use web based, well paced. Available any time. All online courses are simple and easy to access and use. Very practical everyday use scenarios and solutions. Incorporates software simulations, learning games, and built-in assessments to enhance comprehension and engagement. Online subscriptions are regularly updated with the latest product information, ensuring users have access to the most current knowledge.
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Redwood Software
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Apache
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
As HA we have depend on the external DB, why don't we have HA feasibility with embedded DB. As with external DB, there are performance issues and fine tuning the DB. As if its embedded DB, Control-M it self take care of the functionality.
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Redwood Software
Having provided consulting services for years on Tidal by Redwood, I recommend going with a solutions partner or consultant to deploy it. I believe there are sizing and tuning guidelines that should be followed for environments of scale. I believe they are not critical when first lighting up the product, but if you are not aware of them you will encounter performance degradation after a few thousand job objects are added.
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Alternatives Considered
Apache
Multiple DAGs can be orchestrated simultaneously at varying times, and runs can be reproduced or replicated with relative ease. Overall, utilizing Apache Airflow is easier to use than other solutions now on the market. It is simple to integrate in Apache Airflow, and the workflow can be monitored and scheduling can be done quickly using Apache Airflow. We advocate using this tool for automating the data pipeline or process.
Read full review
BMC Software Inc.
Control-M: Known for its comprehensive workload automation capabilities, handling complex job scheduling, dependency management, and IT process automation. TWS: Traditionally strong in Batch processing and job scheduling, focusing on high-performance computing environments. TIDEL: Offers a combination of workload automation and IT process management, often used in mainframe environments.AutoSys: Provides job scheduling and workflow management with a reputation for scalability and performance.
Read full review
Redwood Software
1. Tidal is good at processing large volume pf data and is cost effective. 2. Tidal can automate the scheduling of production objects, ensure that materials are delivered on time 3. Tidal Process large volumes of data which cannot be done everyday by running codes/scripts manually which does it with ease when required.
Read full review
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
Apache
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
While Control-M offers flexibility with usage-based and subscription-based pricing, some users might prefer more predictable, upfront costs, especially for large-scale deployments. A potential area for improvement could be offering more options for fixed-term contracts with predictable pricing based on factors like the number of agents or jobs, providing a clearer budget for long-term planning
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Redwood Software
No answers on this topic
Scalability
Apache
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
awesome product.Control-M delivers advanced operational capabilities easily consumed by Dev, Ops, data teams, and lines of business.Control-M Workflow InsightsApplication and data workflow observability: Increased confidence that SLAs are being met for Control-M users and IT leadersComprehensive control and management capabilities: Enhanced dashboards and reporting with constant telemetry and intelligent analysis on executing workflowsSelf-service visibility: In-depth reporting to help teams work autonomously
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Redwood Software
No answers on this topic
Professional Services
Apache
No answers on this topic
BMC Software Inc.
Strengths: The vendor provided strong post-sales support, timely issue resolution, and effective onboarding. Their technical team was knowledgeable and responsive, ensuring smooth integration and minimal disruption. Training resources and documentation were comprehensive. Areas for Improvement: While overall service was excellent, occasional delays in advanced customization or escalations slightly impacted timelines. More proactive optimization suggestions could further enhance value.
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Redwood Software
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Apache
  • Impact Depends on number of workflows. If there are lot of workflows then it has a better usecase as the implementation is justified as it needs resources , dedicated VMs, Database that has a cost
  • Donot use it if you have very less usecases
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BMC Software Inc.
  • Since centralizing all our workflows in Control-M, we've cut end to end processing time by nearly 30%
  • Before Control-M we were babysitting scripts, manually rerunning failed jobs, and chasing ghost errors. With automated recovery, smart notifications, and fewer failures slipping through the cracks, we have saved 3 hours a day across teams
  • Our workflows success rate sits at 99.95% and when things do fail, they are pinpointed immediately
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Redwood Software
  • Better decision-making and more process visibility are achieved through reporting and monitoring.
  • Lowered time frames and streamlined administration of the workflow.
  • Improved cost and resource allocation, especially in cloud contexts.
  • A decrease in manual errors and related expenditures.
  • Unusual problems that could occur during automation.
  • Possible difficulties shifting to a new automation tool.
  • The expense of beginning implementation and training.
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