Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Zapier · 🤖 automation
Zapier vs Automatisch
A smaller AGPL Zapier clone for ordinary trigger-action flows. Here is how Automatisch ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Zapier ($29.99/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Automatisch
$0.00/mo · AGPL-3.0
Zapier vs Automatisch Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Zapier (Paid) | Automatisch (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $29.99 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $360 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $360) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,799 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,799) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $3,599 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $3,599) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source AGPL-3.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 14k (active jan 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Zapier to Automatisch
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It has a far smaller integration catalog and less mature debugging, administration and support than Zapier.
How to deploy Automatisch
Docker Compose
What it takes to run
Docker plus PostgreSQL, Redis and a public OAuth callback URL for many app connections
Where your data lives
Automation definitions and credentials in PostgreSQL; jobs and cache in Redis on the user's server
Why fork Automatisch instead of vibe-coding a Zapier clone?
A few personal automations are easy; Zapier's moat is the 9,000+ app integration catalog, auth handling, retries, task history, UI, and reliability.
Zapier vs Automatisch FAQ
Is Automatisch a good free alternative to Zapier?+
Yes. Automatisch is a verified open-source (AGPL-3.0) replacement for Zapier. A smaller AGPL Zapier clone for ordinary trigger-action flows.
What is the catch when switching from Zapier to Automatisch?+
It has a far smaller integration catalog and less mature debugging, administration and support than Zapier.
How much do you save switching from Zapier to Automatisch?+
Zapier costs $29.99/mo ($360/yr) per seat, whereas Automatisch is $0/mo. Switching saves $360/yr for a solo user, $1,799/yr for a 5-person team, and $3,599/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Automatisch instead of Zapier?+
Install: Docker Compose. Setup: Docker plus PostgreSQL, Redis and a public OAuth callback URL for many app connections
