Automatisch vs Automa
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted automation & workflows options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Automatisch | Automa |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 66 · Good | 70 · Good |
| Category | Automation & Workflows | Automation & Workflows |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | JavaScript | Vue |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13,980 | ★ 21,640 |
| First released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Replaces | Zapier | Zapier, UiPath |
What are Automatisch and Automa?
Automatisch
Automatisch is an open-source business automation tool that connects apps and services with visual workflows. It targets privacy-conscious teams wanting an open Zapier alternative. It is deployed via Docker.
- Visual automation flows
- Keeps data on your servers
- Growing connector catalog
- Open-source license
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
Automatisch vs Automa: key differences
Automatisch is written in JavaScript, while Automa is built with Vue. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Automatisch versus MIT for Automa. Automa is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Automatisch. Automatisch lists first-class Docker deployment; Automa does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Automatisch if…
- Privacy-friendly
- Simple workflow builder
- Open source
Watch out for
- Smaller integration set
- Still maturing
Choose Automa if…
- Visual block builder
- Runs entirely locally
- Scheduling and triggers
Watch out for
- Browser extension only
- Complex flows get fiddly
Frequently asked questions
Is Automatisch or Automa better?
Automa is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Automatisch if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Automatisch and Automa free and open-source?
Yes. Automatisch is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Automa under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Automatisch and Automa with Docker?
Automatisch: yes. Automa: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Automatisch or Automa?
Automa has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Automatisch. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.