Automatisch
German open-source Zapier alternative built to be self-hosted, deliberately simple and AGPL-licensed
Quick Overview
| Company | Automatisch (open source project) |
|---|---|
| Category | Automation & Integration |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
| Founded | 2022 |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | Your own servers |
| Open Source | Yes (AGPLv3) |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes - you remain sole controller when self-hosted |
| Self-Hosting | Yes - the primary deployment model |
| Main Features | Visual flow builder, self-hosted, growing connector list, webhooks, scheduled triggers, multi-user, AGPLv3 licence |
| Pricing | Free self-hosted / hosted cloud from about EUR 20/month |
| Best For | Small teams that want simple self-hosted automation under a real open-source licence |
| Replaces | Zapier, IFTTT |
Detailed Review
Automatisch is the smallest and simplest tool in this category, and that is deliberate. It is a self-hosted automation builder under a genuine AGPLv3 licence — not source-available, not open-core — aimed at people who want a handful of reliable automations without running a platform.
The project is based in Berlin and positions itself explicitly as the open-source answer to Zapier for privacy-conscious users.
Genuinely Open Source
The AGPLv3 licence is the clearest position of anything in this category. n8n is source-available under a Sustainable Use Licence with resale restrictions; Automatisch has none of those caveats. For organisations with a policy requiring OSI-approved licences, that difference is decisive rather than academic.
Deliberately Small
The connector list is short compared with the major platforms, covering common services rather than everything. The interface is correspondingly simple: a trigger, some steps, done. For a team with five automations that need to work reliably, that constraint is a feature — there is much less to learn, configure and maintain.
Docker deployment means a small VPS anywhere in Europe is enough to run it.
When to Choose It Over n8n
n8n is more capable in every technical dimension. Automatisch wins on two specific counts: licence purity, and simplicity for non-technical users who find n8n's interface intimidating. If neither applies, n8n is the stronger choice.
Limitations to Consider
The integration catalogue is small, which is the main practical constraint — if your service is not covered, you are waiting or contributing. It is a young project with a small team, so the bus factor and roadmap pace are real considerations for production use. There is no code-node equivalent, so complex data transformation is awkward.
Who Should Use Automatisch
Small teams and privacy-conscious organisations wanting a few dependable automations on their own server, and anyone whose procurement rules require a genuinely OSI-approved open-source licence rather than a source-available one.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- True AGPLv3 open-source licence
- Simple enough for non-technical users
- Runs on a small European VPS
- You remain sole data controller
- Free when self-hosted
Cons
- Small connector catalogue
- Young project with a small team
- No code steps for complex transformation
Alternatives to Automatisch
Other European automation & integration worth comparing before you decide:
n8n
Germany · Source-available workflow automation you can fully self-host
Make
Czech Republic · Visual scenario builder with more than 2,000 integrations
Kestra
France · Declarative orchestration for data and infrastructure workflows
Node-RED
Open Source · Flow-based wiring for APIs, services and hardware
See all European automation & integration or compare them directly against Zapier on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
n8n is more capable — more integrations, code nodes, AI agents — but is source-available under a Sustainable Use Licence. Automatisch is genuinely AGPLv3 and much simpler. Choose it for licence purity or simplicity, n8n for capability.
Yes when self-hosted, under AGPLv3. A managed cloud version is available from around EUR 20 per month if you would rather not run it.
Considerably fewer than Make, Zapier or n8n — it covers common services rather than a long tail. Check that your specific services are supported before committing.
A small VPS and Docker. Any European provider such as Hetzner, Scaleway or OVHcloud is sufficient, which keeps both the data and the infrastructure in the EU.