Automatisch vs n8n: Which Automation Tool to Self-Host?
Quick Verdict
n8n is the better tool for most self-hosters. It has far more integrations, a more polished editor, and active weekly releases. Automatisch is a simpler, fully open-source (AGPLv3) Zapier clone with a familiar step-based interface, but its integration library is limited and development is slower.
Overview
n8n is the leading self-hosted workflow automation platform with 400+ integrations, a visual canvas editor, advanced error handling, and enterprise features. It uses the Sustainable Use License.
Automatisch is an open-source (AGPLv3) business automation tool that closely mirrors Zapier’s UI. It uses a simple trigger-action model with a step-by-step builder. The project is newer and smaller, with fewer integrations but a clean, focused interface.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Automatisch | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPLv3 | Sustainable Use License |
| UI style | Zapier-like step builder | Canvas with nodes and wires |
| Integrations | ~40 | 400+ |
| Custom code | Not supported | JavaScript + Python |
| Error handling | Basic | Error workflows, retries |
| Credential management | Encrypted per-connection | Encrypted centralized store |
| Branching | Limited | IF, Switch, Merge nodes |
| Webhook triggers | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-user | Basic (roles planned) | Yes (roles + permissions) |
| Execution history | Basic logs | Detailed per-node execution data |
| Docker services | 4 (app + worker + PostgreSQL + Redis) | 2 (n8n + PostgreSQL) |
| Community size | ~3k GitHub stars | 60k+ GitHub stars |
Installation Complexity
Automatisch runs four services: main app, worker, PostgreSQL, and Redis. Three secret keys must be generated (ENCRYPTION_KEY, WEBHOOK_SECRET_KEY, APP_SECRET_KEY).
services:
main:
image: automatischio/automatisch:0.15.0
worker:
image: automatischio/automatisch:0.15.0
environment:
WORKER: "true"
postgres:
image: postgres:14.5
redis:
image: redis:7.0.4n8n runs two services: n8n and PostgreSQL. One encryption key is required.
Automatisch’s four-container setup is more complex. Default credentials are [email protected] / sample — change these immediately.
Performance and Resource Usage
| Metric | Automatisch | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| RAM (idle) | ~300 MB (app + worker + DB + Redis) | ~350 MB (app + DB) |
| CPU | Low | Low |
| Disk | ~500 MB | ~500 MB |
Comparable resource usage. Automatisch’s separate worker process handles background jobs independently, similar to n8n’s queue mode.
Community and Support
| Metric | Automatisch | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ~3k | 60k+ |
| Release cadence | Monthly | Weekly |
| Last release | v0.15.0 (Aug 2025) | v2.8.3 (Feb 2026) |
| Documentation | Basic (docs.automatisch.io) | Comprehensive (docs.n8n.io) |
| Backing | Small team | n8n GmbH (VC-funded) |
n8n has a 20x larger community and significantly faster development. Automatisch’s v0.15.0 release is from August 2025 — several months without a new release is a concern for a pre-1.0 project.
Use Cases
Choose Automatisch If…
- AGPLv3 licensing specifically fits your requirements
- You want the closest Zapier clone experience
- Your workflows are simple trigger-action pairs
- You only need integrations with major platforms (Google, Slack, Notion, etc.)
- You want a straightforward UI with minimal learning curve
Choose n8n If…
- You need more than 40 integrations
- You need custom code execution (JavaScript/Python)
- You want advanced workflows with branching, merging, and sub-workflows
- You need granular error handling and retry logic
- You want active development with weekly updates
- You need a large community for support and examples
Final Verdict
Pick n8n. Automatisch has a clean UI and the right idea — a simple, open-source Zapier clone — but it’s too early in development. With ~40 integrations versus n8n’s 400+, no custom code support, and a release gap of several months, Automatisch can’t compete for most use cases today.
If Automatisch reaches 1.0 with a broader integration library and consistent releases, it could be a legitimate contender. For now, n8n (or Activepieces for MIT licensing) is the practical choice.
FAQ
Is Automatisch still being developed?
The project is still active on GitHub with occasional commits, but the last tagged release (v0.15.0) was August 2025. Development appears slower than competing projects.
Can Automatisch replace Zapier for simple workflows?
For very simple trigger-action workflows using supported apps (Google Sheets, Slack, Notion, Discord, etc.), yes. But Zapier supports 6,000+ apps versus Automatisch’s ~40 — the gap is enormous.
Why would I choose AGPLv3 over n8n’s license?
AGPLv3 is an OSI-approved open-source license. If your organization requires OSI-approved licensing, or if you want to modify and redistribute the software, AGPLv3 gives you those rights. n8n’s Sustainable Use License restricts offering n8n as a managed service.
Related
Get self-hosting tips in your inbox
New guides, comparisons, and setup tutorials — delivered weekly. No spam.