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QStash alternative

Spooled Cloud vs QStash

QStash is a lightweight HTTP message queue that shines for serverless fan-out with minimal setup. Spooled adds worker registration, workflows, job priorities, WebSocket/SSE streams, Prometheus metrics, and a self-host option QStash does not offer.

Start free Full comparison matrix QStash website ↗

Where Spooled wins

  • + Worker registration and claim semantics
  • + Workflows with dependencies
  • + Job priorities and queue controls
  • + WebSocket/SSE streams and Prometheus metrics
  • + Self-hostable open-source core

When QStash is the better pick

  • – Zero-infrastructure push model for serverless endpoints
  • – Very low setup cost for simple fan-out

Our own read of public docs, last reviewed 2026-07-16 — not an independent benchmark, and we're biased. Apache-2.0 core · free tier available.

Where Spooled goes further than QStash

Spooled leads on 14 of 26 capabilities · they match on 12/26. See the full matrix for every row side by side.

Capability QStash
  • gRPC API QStash: No
  • Job Priorities QStash: No
  • 6-Field Cron (Seconds) QStash: No
  • Workflows / DAGs QStash: No
  • WebSocket Updates QStash: No
  • SSE Updates QStash: No
  • Worker Registration QStash: No
  • Concurrency Controls QStash: No
  • Job Tags & Filtering QStash: No
  • Queue Pause/Resume QStash: No
  • Prometheus Metrics QStash: No
  • Self-Hosted Option QStash: No
  • PostgreSQL Data Plane QStash: No
  • Open Source (core) QStash: No

Pricing at a glance

Spooled's numbers come from the pricing page. Competitor pricing is badge-only so we don't invent precision.

Spooled Cloud

1,000 jobs/day · Starter $19 USD/mo (10,000/day) · Pro $49 USD/mo (100,000/day)

Free: Yes Flat
Pricing ↗
QStash
Free: Yes Usage-based
Site ↗

Switching from QStash?

Moving from QStash: swap HTTP publish calls for Spooled enqueue and add a worker to claim jobs — or keep a push-style flow with outgoing webhooks. You gain priorities, workflows, and WebSocket/SSE status streams.

Quickstart · SDKs · All comparisons

FAQ

Spooled vs QStash — FAQ

Is Spooled Cloud a good QStash alternative?
Yes, when you have outgrown simple HTTP fan-out and need worker registration, workflows with dependencies, job priorities, real-time WebSocket/SSE streams, or the ability to self-host. QStash is still the simplest option for zero-infrastructure push to serverless endpoints.
Can I self-host Spooled? QStash cannot be self-hosted.
Yes. Spooled’s Apache-2.0 core runs on your own PostgreSQL with no platform limits. QStash is a proprietary Upstash service with no self-host option, which is a common reason teams compare the two.
When should I choose QStash over Spooled?
Choose QStash when you just need reliable HTTP delivery to serverless endpoints with the lowest possible setup cost and no worker process to run.
Get started

Put one real workload on a durable queue.

Try hosted Spooled with 1,000 jobs a day, or run the Apache-2.0 core against your own PostgreSQL.

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  • Free tier forever
  • Open source — Apache-2.0