Automa vs StackStorm
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted automation & workflows options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Automa | StackStorm |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 70 · Good | 86 · Excellent |
| Category | Automation & Workflows | Automation & Workflows |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Vue | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | source | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 21,640 | ★ 6,539 |
| First released | 2021 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Zapier, UiPath | Zapier, AWS Systems Manager |
What are Automa and StackStorm?
Automa
Automa is an open-source browser extension that automates repetitive web tasks using a visual block-based workflow builder. Workflows run locally in the browser and can be scheduled or triggered.
- Visual workflow builder
- Browser task automation
- Scheduling and triggers
- Runs locally
StackStorm
StackStorm is an event-driven automation platform that connects triggers to actions through rules and workflows. It is commonly used for auto-remediation, security responses and continuous deployment.
- Event-driven rules and triggers
- Large pack ecosystem for integrations
- Workflow engine for complex automation
- ChatOps integration
Automa vs StackStorm: key differences
Automa is written in Vue, while StackStorm is built with Python. Licensing differs — MIT for Automa versus Apache-2.0 for StackStorm. Automa is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for StackStorm. StackStorm is the more established project (first released 2014), while Automa arrived in 2021. Automa has the considerably larger community, at 21,640 GitHub stars versus 6,539. StackStorm lists first-class Docker deployment; Automa does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Automa if…
- Visual block builder
- Runs entirely locally
- Scheduling and triggers
Watch out for
- Browser extension only
- Complex flows get fiddly
Choose StackStorm if…
- Powerful for ops automation
- Extensive integration packs
Watch out for
- Heavy multi-component install
Frequently asked questions
Is Automa or StackStorm better?
Automa is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider StackStorm if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Automa and StackStorm free and open-source?
Yes. Automa is licensed under MIT and StackStorm under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Automa and StackStorm with Docker?
Automa: check the project docs for container support. StackStorm: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Automa or StackStorm?
Automa has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 2,048 MB for StackStorm. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.