2 Open Source alternatives to Zapier in 2026
We compare 2 self-hostable tools you can deploy on your own server in minutes, with license, tech stack and a ready-to-copy docker-compose.
Quick comparison
Sorted by featured first, then GitHub stars as a tiebreaker — the same rule we use across the whole site.
| Tool | License | Minimum RAM | Docker | GitHub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n8n Lightest optionMost popular on GitHub1-Click Deploy | Sustainable Use License (Fair-code) | ~1GB | ✅ | ★ ~55,000 |
| Activepieces | MIT | ~2GB | ✅ | ★ ~14,000 |
Detailed profile of each alternative
Alternative to Zapier, Make
Workflow automation, an alternative to Zapier.
Alternative to Zapier, Make
Workflow automation with 200+ integrations, an alternative to Zapier.
How do I replace Zapier?
A practical guide with the real use case and limitation of each of the 2 alternatives, to pick the one that fits best.
See replacement guide →How much does Zapier cost, and how much can you save?
Zapier costs $19.99/mo. Self-hosting the alternative, you only pay for the server — usually a few dollars a month.
Calculate your exact savings in the SaaS Audit →Already know which one you want?
Add n8n to the Stack Builder and generate a ready-to-deploy docker-compose.yml, alone or alongside the rest of your stack.
Build my stackFrequently asked questions
Do I need Docker to self-host a Zapier alternative?
Yes, for all 2: each one has a ready-to-copy docker-compose.yml. You just need Docker installed on your server.
How much RAM do I need at minimum?
The lightest option on this list is n8n, which runs on as little as 1GB of RAM — enough for a cheap VPS.
Are they all 100% free, or are there paid features like on Zapier?
0 out of 2 are 100% FOSS. The rest are Open-Core: the core is free and self-hostable, but some advanced feature may stay paid — we call it out on each tool's page.