Activepieces vs Zapier

Self-host swap-in for Zapier. · Self-host Zapier · Activepieces on os-alt

Activepieces is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Zapier — license MIT, 10min docker-compose to stand up, and $5-10 vps — node. Compare against Zapier's $19.99/mo Starter (750 tasks); $49/mo Professional (2k tasks) below.

	Activepiecesopen-source	Zapierpaid SaaS
Category	Workflow automation / iPaaS	Workflow automation / iPaaS
License / pricing	`MIT`	$19.99/mo Starter (750 tasks); $49/mo Professional (2k tasks)
Starting price	$0 self-host	$19.99/user/mo
GitHub	activepieces/activepieces ★ 22.2k · last commit todayalive	closed source
Setup time	10min docker-compose	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$5-10 VPS — Node.js + Postgres + Redis stack.	from $19.99/user/mo ($19.99/mo Starter (750 tasks); $49/mo Professional (2k tasks))

Switching from Zapier to Activepieces

Manual rebuild from Zapier — Activepieces ships ~280 pieces (their term for integrations) including the major SaaS connectors. Each piece has a TypeScript SDK, so missing connectors can be added in ~50 lines of code and shared back to upstream.

Good fit for: Teams that want a true MIT license without the commercial-reselling restriction n8n carries.
Weak at: Smaller integration catalog than n8n; younger project so some pieces are thinner than the Zapier equivalent.
License note: Core engine is MIT; some enterprise features (custom branding, audit logs) are paid.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to Zapier

n8n
Sustainable Use License10min docker-compose$5 VPS for low-volume; $10-20 once you cron-trigger workflows on minute intervals.
Huginn
MIT20min (Rails app + Postgres)$5 VPS.

In a terminal? npx os-alt zapier prints Zapier's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Activepieces a free alternative to Zapier?

Yes — Activepieces is open source under MIT. Self-host cost: $5-10 VPS — Node.js + Postgres + Redis stack.. Zapier starts at $19.99/user/mo ($19.99/mo Starter (750 tasks); $49/mo Professional (2k tasks)).

How long does Activepieces take to set up vs Zapier?

Self-hosting Activepieces: 10min docker-compose. Zapier is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Activepieces good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Teams that want a true MIT license without the commercial-reselling restriction n8n carries.. Weak at: Smaller integration catalog than n8n; younger project so some pieces are thinner than the Zapier equivalent..