Automa vs Trigger.dev
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted automation & workflows options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Automa | Trigger.dev |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 70 · Good | 95 · Excellent |
| Category | Automation & Workflows | Automation & Workflows |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Vue | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 21,635 | ★ 16,376 |
| First released | 2021 | 2022 |
| Replaces | Zapier, UiPath | Zapier |
What are Automa and Trigger.dev?
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
Trigger.dev
Trigger.dev is an open-source platform for writing long-running background jobs and workflows directly in code with no timeouts. It targets developers building reliable async tasks. It is deployed via Docker.
- Background jobs written in code
- No execution timeouts
- Built-in retries and observability
- Scheduling and webhooks
Automa vs Trigger.dev: key differences
Automa is written in Vue, while Trigger.dev is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — MIT for Automa versus Apache-2.0 for Trigger.dev. Automa is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Trigger.dev. Trigger.dev 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 Trigger.dev if…
- Code-first and developer friendly
- Reliable long-running tasks
- Good observability
Watch out for
- Aimed at developers only
- Requires Postgres and Redis
Frequently asked questions
Is Automa or Trigger.dev better?
Automa is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Trigger.dev if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Automa and Trigger.dev free and open-source?
Yes. Automa is licensed under MIT and Trigger.dev under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Automa and Trigger.dev with Docker?
Automa: check the project docs for container support. Trigger.dev: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Automa or Trigger.dev?
Automa has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Trigger.dev. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.