n8n
Fair-code workflow automation platform with native AI capabilities. Combine visual building with custom code, self-host or cloud, 400+ integrations.
209k GitHub stars · Custom · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Open-source and self-hosted alternatives to Zapier
Connect apps and automate workflows on your own server. Check licenses carefully here: some popular options use "fair-code" licenses rather than OSI open-source ones.
Category: Workflow automation · GitHub data as of Oct 29, 2026 · FAQ · Cost & self-hosting
| Project | What it is | License | GitHub stars | Last release | Runs as | Hosted plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n8n Active Custom | Fair-code workflow automation platform with native AI capabilities. Combine visual building with custom code, self-host or cloud, 400+ integrations. | Custom | 209k | Oct 29, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Yes, from the project |
| Huginn Active MIT | Create agents that monitor and act on your behalf. Your agents are standing by! | MIT | 50.2k | Oct 26, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Not confirmed |
| Activepieces Active Mixed or custom | A no-code workflow automation tool with a visual builder, hundreds of integrations and AI agent features. | Mixed or custom | 25.3k | Oct 29, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Yes, from the project |
| Windmill Active Mixed or custom | A developer platform that turns scripts into webhooks, workflows and internal UIs. | Mixed or custom | 18.3k | Oct 29, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Yes, from the project |
| Automatisch Slowing down Mixed or custom | A workflow automation tool that connects apps without code, similar to Zapier. | Mixed or custom | 14.0k | Aug 8, 2025 | Self-hosted web app | Yes, from the project |
Are they still maintained?
4 of 5 Zapier alternatives here had a code push or release in the last 180 days (checked Oct 29, 2026).
- n8n: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Huginn: active, last activity Oct 26, 2026 (3 days ago)
- Activepieces: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Windmill: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Automatisch: slowing down, last activity Feb 11, 2026 (260 days ago)
See every project in the "Is it still maintained?" tracker →
What switching from Zapier costs
Zapier: current plans and prices are on Zapier's pricing page.
| Alternative | How you run it | Software cost | What you pay for |
|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | Your server, or the project's hosted plan | $0 (Custom, check terms) | A server you rent (or own), or the project's paid hosted plan. |
| Huginn | Your server | $0 (MIT) | A server you rent or own, plus your time for updates and backups. |
| Activepieces | Your server, or the project's hosted plan | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | A server you rent (or own), or the project's paid hosted plan. |
| Windmill | Your server, or the project's hosted plan | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | A server you rent (or own), or the project's paid hosted plan. |
| Automatisch | Your server, or the project's hosted plan | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | A server you rent (or own), or the project's paid hosted plan. |
Self-hosting basics: n8n, Huginn, Activepieces, Windmill and Automatisch need a server, which can be a small cloud server or a spare machine at home. For a sense of scale, DigitalOcean's price list shows a 1 GiB server at $6/month and 2 GiB at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size, and budget time for updates and backups.
Don't want to run a server? n8n, Activepieces, Windmill and Automatisch offer a hosted plan run by the project itself. Prices change, so check each project's site.
License check: n8n, Activepieces, Windmill and Automatisch do not use a single standard open-source license that GitHub can detect. Read the license before using them in a business.
The options in more detail
Huginn
Create agents that monitor and act on your behalf. Your agents are standing by!
50.2k GitHub stars · MIT · last code push Oct 26, 2026 · GitHub
Activepieces
A no-code workflow automation tool with a visual builder, hundreds of integrations and AI agent features.
25.3k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Windmill
A developer platform that turns scripts into webhooks, workflows and internal UIs.
18.3k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Automatisch
A workflow automation tool that connects apps without code, similar to Zapier.
14.0k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Feb 11, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Zapier alternatives: common questions
What is the best open-source alternative to Zapier?
It depends on how you use Zapier. Of the 5 options here, n8n is the most followed on GitHub (209k stars) and is actively maintained, with its latest release on Oct 29, 2026.
Is there a self-hosted Zapier alternative?
Yes. n8n, Huginn, Activepieces, Windmill and Automatisch run on a server you control, so your data stays with you. If you'd rather not run a server, n8n, Activepieces, Windmill and Automatisch also offer a hosted plan from the people who make them.
Is there a free alternative to Zapier?
Yes. Every project on this page can be downloaded and used at no cost from its public repository. Server apps are free software, but you pay for the server they run on. Check the license of n8n, Activepieces, Windmill and Automatisch before using them in a business.
Are these Zapier alternatives still maintained?
As of Oct 29, 2026, 4 of 5 had a code push or release in the last 180 days. Be careful with Automatisch: Automatisch is slowing down. We re-check every project weekly.
How much does it cost to switch from Zapier?
The software itself is free. For server apps, the main cost is hosting: as a reference point, DigitalOcean lists a 1 GiB server at $6/month and a 2 GiB server at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size. The hidden cost is time: moving your data and, for self-hosted apps, keeping up with updates and backups.
Are all of these really open source?
Not all under a standard license. n8n: Sustainable Use License (fair-code). Source is public but this is not an OSI-approved open-source license. Activepieces: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. Windmill: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. Automatisch: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. The others use OSI-approved open-source licenses.
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