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Self-hostable open-source workflow automation built in Berlin — no vendor lock-in, no per-task pricing
Automatisch is a Berlin-built open-source workflow automation platform licensed under AGPL-3.0, designed as a self-hostable alternative to Zapier. Teams connect apps, trigger automated workflows, and keep all execution data on their own servers — no per-task fees, no third-party data processing, and no vendor lock-in.
Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
Founded
2022
Pricing
EU Data Hosting
Yes
Employees
1-10
Open Source
Yes
Free
Contact Sales
Billing: one-time, monthly
Every Zapier invoice is a tax on your workflows. At Zapier's standard pricing, a team running 25,000 tasks per month pays EUR 74/month. At 100,000 tasks, that climbs to EUR 299/month. The cost scales with usage, which means the more value you extract from automation, the more you pay — a backwards incentive structure that punishes success.
Automatisch was built in Berlin to solve that problem. The platform is an open-source, self-hostable workflow automation tool licensed under AGPL-3.0. Deploy it on your own VPS, connect your apps, and run unlimited workflow executions. The software costs nothing. The infrastructure — a basic EUR 5/month server — is the only recurring expense.
Founded in 2022, Automatisch describes itself as "the open source Zapier alternative" with a Zapier-compatible visual interface that reduces the friction of switching. The project has accumulated over 13,000 GitHub stars and supports approximately 60 app integrations including Slack, GitHub, Google Sheets, Notion, Stripe, and Discord. The codebase is maintained by a small team in Berlin with a growing open-source contributor community.
The defining characteristic of Automatisch is that execution data never leaves your server. When a workflow runs — a new GitHub issue triggers a Slack notification, or a Stripe payment updates a Google Sheet — every step executes on your own infrastructure. Zapier runs that same flow on Twilio's US-based servers and bills you per task. Automatisch runs it on your server at zero marginal cost.
Docker deployment is the primary installation method. The official repository includes a Docker Compose file that brings up the application, database, and Redis queue in under 30 minutes on a standard Linux VPS. The minimum recommended server is 1 GB RAM and 1 vCPU — a EUR 4-5/month instance at Hetzner or Contabo is sufficient for small teams with moderate workflow volumes.
For higher-volume deployments, Automatisch supports horizontal scaling of worker processes behind a load balancer. The architecture separates the web application, background job processor, and database, allowing each component to scale independently.
The interface mirrors Zapier's trigger-and-action model closely. Each workflow starts with a trigger — an inbound webhook, a scheduled poll, or an event from a connected app — followed by one or more action steps. Step configuration uses form-based input with variable interpolation from previous step outputs.
The deliberate UX similarity to Zapier is a strategic choice. Teams switching from Zapier can rebuild existing workflows without relearning a new paradigm. Compared to n8n's node-graph canvas — which is powerful but steep for non-technical users — Automatisch's linear step model is more accessible to operations teams and non-developers.
Execution history is stored and searchable. Failed runs display the exact step that errored, the input payload, and the error message. Retry logic is configurable per step, reducing the need to manually re-trigger failed workflows.
Automatisch's GDPR compliance story is structurally different from cloud-based automation tools. With Zapier or Make, your data passes through their servers, requiring you to sign Data Processing Agreements and trust their compliance certifications. With Automatisch self-hosted on an EU VPS, your data never leaves your infrastructure.
This makes GDPR compliance straightforward: your data processor is your own server, governed by your own policies. Teams handling personal data — HR workflows, customer support ticket routing, billing notifications — can automate without creating cross-border data transfers or third-party DPA dependencies.
Automatisch's origin in Berlin places the project within the EU's legal framework, and the AGPL licence means the full source code is auditable. Security teams can review every line of code that touches their data.
The Community Edition covers the core platform — unlimited workflows, all integrations, Docker deployment, and the full API. The Enterprise Edition adds features required for multi-team or multi-client deployments: single sign-on (SSO) via SAML, role-based access controls, audit logs, and priority support from the core team.
Enterprise pricing is negotiated directly and is most relevant for agencies running Automatisch as a shared platform for multiple clients, or for larger organisations that need IT governance controls over who can create and modify workflows.
The Community Edition has no software cost. The total cost of running Automatisch is the infrastructure bill. A Hetzner CX22 (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM) at EUR 5.99/month handles small-to-medium workflow volumes comfortably. At 25,000 executions per month — where Zapier charges EUR 74 — Automatisch's all-in cost is under EUR 8/month including the VPS.
The savings compound at scale. At 100,000 monthly tasks, Zapier costs EUR 299/month. A more capable EUR 15/month VPS still handles that volume with headroom. The break-even point for the infrastructure effort versus Zapier's subscription is typically reached within the first month for teams running more than 5,000 monthly tasks.
Enterprise Edition pricing is not publicly listed. Contact the Automatisch team for a quote based on user count and support requirements.
Automatisch is built in Berlin, Germany — an EU member state — and licensed under AGPL-3.0, meaning the source code is permanently open and auditable. The self-hosted deployment model gives operators full control over data residency.
There is no cloud service to send data to. No third-party analytics, no telemetry by default, no vendor lock-in. Teams in Germany, France, the Netherlands, or any other EU jurisdiction can run Automatisch entirely within their national data centre with zero cross-border data flows.
The AGPL licence has one significant implication: if you modify Automatisch and offer it as a service to third parties, you must publish your modifications. For internal use — which covers the vast majority of self-hosted deployments — the AGPL imposes no practical restrictions.
Cost-conscious teams with moderate automation needs. Companies running 10,000-100,000 workflow executions per month who are paying Zapier or Make but do not need their 6,000+ integrations. The infrastructure savings cover the setup effort within weeks.
Privacy-sensitive organisations. Healthcare teams, legal firms, HR departments, or any organisation that cannot send workflow data to US-based servers. Self-hosted Automatisch eliminates the third-party data processor entirely.
Developers who want full control. Engineering teams comfortable with Docker who want to audit, fork, or extend their automation infrastructure. The AGPL codebase and open SDK enable custom integration development.
Teams with straightforward automation stacks. If your automation needs centre on the 60 integrations Automatisch supports — Slack, GitHub, Google Sheets, Notion, Stripe, Typeform, Discord — there is no functional reason to pay for Zapier.
Automatisch delivers on its core premise: self-hosted workflow automation with no per-task fees, no third-party data processing, and GDPR compliance by design. For teams whose workflows fit within its 60 integrations, it is the most cost-effective automation platform available.
The limitations are genuine. The integration library is a fraction of Zapier's 6,000+ or n8n's 400+. The project carries single-maintainer sustainability risk. Documentation is basic. These are not hypothetical concerns — teams with complex multi-SaaS stacks or exotic integration requirements will hit the connector ceiling quickly. Evaluate the integrations list before committing. If your tools are on it, Automatisch is a compelling choice for any EU team that takes data sovereignty seriously.
Is Automatisch GDPR compliant? Yes, when self-hosted. All workflow execution data stays on your own server, eliminating third-party data processing entirely. You control data residency, retention, and access without signing Data Processing Agreements with a cloud vendor.
How does Automatisch compare to n8n? Both are open-source self-hostable automation tools from Germany. n8n supports 400+ integrations, has a larger community, and offers a cloud-hosted option. Automatisch has a simpler linear interface closer to Zapier's UX, making it more accessible to non-technical users. For teams already comfortable with n8n's node-graph model, n8n offers more flexibility.
Can I run Automatisch without my own server? As of April 2026, no. Automatisch is self-hosted only; there is no official cloud-hosted version. A basic Hetzner or Contabo VPS at EUR 4-6/month provides sufficient capacity for small team workloads.
What licence does Automatisch use? The Community Edition is AGPL-3.0 licensed. You can use, modify, and deploy it freely for internal use. If you offer a modified version as a service to third parties, AGPL requires publishing your changes. The Enterprise Edition uses a commercial licence.
How many integrations does Automatisch support? Approximately 60 integrations as of April 2026, including Slack, GitHub, Google Sheets, Gmail, Trello, Notion, Discord, Telegram, Typeform, and Stripe. An integration SDK allows developers to build additional connectors.
Open-source workflow automation with a visual builder and AI agents
Alternative to Zapier