ActivePieces
Open-source no-code automation alternative to Make
What it does
ActivePieces is an open-source Zapier/Make alternative. Visual flow builder, 200+ pre-built "pieces" (connectors), branching logic, code steps (JavaScript/Python), webhooks, scheduled triggers, and native AI actions. Two ways to run it: fully self-host with Docker + Postgres (free, MIT-licensed community edition), or use the managed cloud (starts free, then per-active-flow pricing). The 2026 pricing pivot away from task-metering to per-active-flow with unlimited runs is genuinely different — heavy-execution workflows do not add cost, which flips the economics vs Zapier and Make for high-volume users.
Free tier
Yes
Starts at
$5/mo
Setup
medium
Key features
Integrates with
Google Sheets, Slack, Discord, OpenAI, GitHub
Who this fits
- Technical founders, developers, and IT teams comfortable with Docker/self-hosting for cost control
- Agencies wanting to white-label workflow automation for clients
- SaaS companies embedding workflow automation in their own product (via ActivePieces embed)
- High-volume automation users burned by Zapier's task cap or Make's operation metering
- Teams with SOC 2 / data-residency requirements that need self-hosted
- B2B SaaS ops teams building repeatable client-onboarding flows
Who it does NOT fit
- Non-technical solo users who want polish and hand-holding (Zapier's UX and ecosystem still win)
- Teams needing every possible connector (Zapier has 6,000+, ActivePieces has 200+)
- Anyone unwilling to touch Docker for self-hosted (use the managed cloud, but the pricing math changes)
- Businesses without the technical bandwidth to troubleshoot a self-hosted install
Pricing
Real gotchas
- The 2026 pricing change is a genuine model pivot. Any comparison older than July 2026 uses the old task-tier pricing and is misleading — the current per-flow model is very different (Source: Automation Atlas: https://automationatlas.io/answers/activepieces-pricing-explained-2026/)
- 200+ pieces is a healthy library but nowhere near Zapier's 6,000+. Verify your specific apps have official pieces before committing
- Community Edition is MIT-licensed (permissive, good). No AGPL lock-in like Metabase — safe to embed in commercial products
- Managed cloud enterprise features (SSO, RBAC, audit logs, embed) are gated to Ultimate — custom annual pricing, quote required
- Self-hosted Docker upgrades occasionally require Postgres schema migrations; read the changelog
- AI actions (OpenAI, Anthropic native pieces) count as normal flow steps under the per-flow model — no separate AI meter
- Some pieces are community-maintained; official-vs-community piece quality varies
Integrations that matter
Otto’s take on this tool
Recommend ActivePieces when: technical team OR high-volume automation OR cost-sensitive OR needs self-hosted for compliance, business_size 1-100. Highest fit for developer-led teams, agencies white-labeling automation, B2B SaaS embedding workflow, and high-volume users burned by Zapier task caps. Do NOT recommend for non-technical solo users, teams needing 500+ connector coverage, or anyone who wants Zapier's polish. If comparing to Zapier: Zapier wins on ecosystem, polish, and non-technical UX; ActivePieces wins on price at scale (unlimited runs), self-hosting, and open source. If comparing to n8n: both are open-source Zapier alternatives; n8n's fair-code license has more restrictions than ActivePieces' MIT license, which matters for commercial embedding.
Affiliate disclosure: if you sign up through the link above, Ottomately may earn a referral commission at no cost to you. We only feature tools we have actually used or vetted through our recommendation engine.
Editor's curated reviews
131 reviews across TrustPilot - avg 4.3/5Curated by Otto from TrustPilot public reviews (fetched 2026-08-31). Activepieces' TrustPilot is small-but-favorable (131 reviews, 88% 5-star at 4.3) - the 1-stars are almost all from a July 2025 cluster of lifetime-deal buyers upset about a plan migration, so read those in that context. G2 and Capterra were consulted for aggregate context but not directly cited here (source-access limits). Not user-submitted on Ottomately.
“Simply the best. Better than all the rest.”
TrustPilot5.0/5“Activepieces stands out for handling intricate workflows where others often fall short, with strong community support and solid customer assistance.”
TrustPilot5.0/5“Activepieces is the one I keep coming back to for the heavy lifting when managing complex automations for eCommerce operations.”
TrustPilot5.0/5“It has completely transformed the way I handle my business operations, with excellent value compared to established competitors.”
TrustPilot5.0/5“A new player in the automation game with lots of potential and room for improvement.”
TrustPilot4.0/5“ActivePieces would grow into a very serious tool, but proved to be a small time company with no vision.”
TrustPilot1.0/5“We were automatically moved from our paid plan to a trial plan without any notification regarding pricing changes.”
TrustPilot1.0/5
More in Productivity
Not Sure ActivePieces is Right?
Otto can pick for you.
30 seconds, one form, get a personalized stack with pricing and integration paths.
Get my recommendations