Top pick · highest health
Apache Airflow
Platform to programmatically author, schedule, and monitor workflows.
DockerPython
Automation
Open source alternatives to Zapier
We track 6 open-source Zapier alternatives, of which 5 currently score 70 or above on Repoly's GitHub health scale and 4 ship a Docker image. Apache Airflow leads on health at 99/100 with 2419 commits in the last 90 days; across all 6 projects you are choosing between AGPL-3.0, Apache-2.0, Commons-Clause and 1 other licences.
updated Oct 2026 6 alternatives best health 99 ★ 370k combined 8,018 commits / 90d 4 with Docker
Top picks to replace Zapier
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Healthiest
Health 99/100: 2,419 commits in 90 days, latest release 3.3.2, Docker image available.
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Most starred
209,087 stars, the biggest community among Zapier alternatives.
Showing 6 of 6 tools
All 6 Zapier alternatives, ranked by health
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Activepieces
No-code business automation tool like Zapier or Tray. For example, you can send a Slack notification for each new Trello card.
Docker -
Node RED
Browser-based flow editor that helps you wiring hardware devices, APIs and online services to create IoT solutions.
DockerNodejs -
n8n
Free node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services.
Nodejs -
Huginn
Build agents that monitor and act on your behalf.
Ruby -
Automatisch
Business automation tool that lets you connect different services like Twitter, Slack, and more to automate your business processes (alternative to Zapier).
Docker
Zapier alternatives compared
Apache Airflow edges Activepieces 99 to 98, and most of the difference is stars: 47k stars against 25k stars. n8n has the largest following at 209k stars, yet ranks #4 of 6, held back mostly by Docker support (no Docker image).
The most recent release is n8n [email protected], published today. None of the measured options scores under 40. By stack, Nodejs (2), Python (1) and Ruby (1) are the most common. Apache Airflow, Activepieces, Node RED and 1 more are permissively licensed; Automatisch is copyleft. n8n is source-available rather than open source, which limits commercial reuse.
| Tool | Health | Stars | Licence | Last commit | Docker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Airflow Steady at 99 since 11 Sep | 99 | 47k | Apache-2.0 | today | Yes |
| Activepieces Steady at 98 since 11 Sep | 98 | 25k | MIT | today | Yes |
| Node RED Up 1 point since 11 Sep | 98 | 24k | Apache-2.0 | 4 days ago | Yes |
| n8n Steady at 90 since 11 Sep | 90 | 209k | Apache-2.0 | today | No |
| Huginn Steady at 89 since 11 Sep | 89 | 50k | MIT | 4 days ago | No |
| Automatisch | 49 | 14k | AGPL-3.0 | 9 months ago | Yes |
Zapier alternatives: common questions
What is the most maintained open source alternative to Zapier?
Apache Airflow scores highest at 99/100, with 2419 commits in the last 90 days, 47k stars on GitHub and its latest release (3.3.2) published 1 month ago. n8n has the most raw commit activity at 4027 commits in 90 days.
Which Zapier alternatives use a permissive licence?
4 of 6 are permissively licensed (MIT, Apache, BSD or similar): Apache Airflow (Apache-2.0), Activepieces (MIT), Node RED (Apache-2.0), Huginn (MIT). 1 use copyleft licences such as GPL or AGPL, which require you to publish changes if you distribute a modified version.
Which Zapier alternatives run in Docker?
4 of 6 publish a Docker image or Compose file: Apache Airflow, Activepieces, Node RED, Automatisch. Docker support contributes 10 of the 100 available health points, because it is the clearest signal that self-hosting is a supported path rather than an afterthought.
Is Apache Airflow or Activepieces the better Zapier alternative?
On measured health Apache Airflow leads, 99 to 98. Apache Airflow has 2,419 commits in 90 days, 47k stars and 3.3.2 from 1 month ago; Activepieces has 1,244 commits in 90 days, 25k stars and 0.92.3-hotfix.2 from 2 days ago. Apache Airflow is ahead or level on every term Repoly measures.
Are the Zapier alternatives still maintained?
5 of the 6 measured options score 70 or above. Automatisch had no commits in the last 90 days. None scores under 40.
What languages are the Zapier alternatives written in?
Nodejs: Node RED and n8n. Python: Apache Airflow. Ruby: Huginn. The stack matters if you plan to extend or patch the tool yourself.
