can i fork it?

Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Make · 🤖 automation

Make vs Automatisch

A cleaner, smaller automation canvas when your scenarios do not need Make's long tail. Here is how Automatisch ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Make ($12/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.

Make vs Automatisch Specification Matrix

facts verified 2026-08-10

DimensionMake (Paid)Automatisch (Replacement)
Monthly Price$12 / mo$0 / mo
1-Year Cost (1 seat)$144 / yr$0 / yr (Save $144)
1-Year Cost (5 seats)$720 / yr$0 / yr (Save $720)
1-Year Cost (10 seats)$1,440 / yr$0 / yr (Save $1,440)
Source & LicenseProprietary SaaSopen source AGPL-3.0
Where It RunsVendor CloudSelf-host (your server)
PlatformsWeb / Cloud
webself-hosteddocker to self-host
GitHub Stars—★ 14k (active jan 2026)

Deep Dive: Switching from Make to Automatisch

Trade-offs, installation & data architecture

The Catch vs Make

What you trade away

Automatisch's connector catalog and transformation canvas are far narrower than Make's long-tail scenario system.

Installation

How to deploy Automatisch

Clone the repository and run Docker Compose.

Day-2 Operations & Setup

What it takes to run

Requires Docker, PostgreSQL/Redis configuration and secret management; the default sample login must be changed immediately.

Data Ownership

Where your data lives

Application and credential data stays on the user's server in PostgreSQL, with Redis for queues/cache; credentials are encrypted.

Build vs Fork Verdict: KINDA (the core, yes. the polish, no)

Why fork Automatisch instead of vibe-coding a Make clone?

A handful of workflows can be coded quickly, but Make's paid value is the visual builder, app modules, scheduling, observability, and maintenance.

Make vs Automatisch FAQ

Is Automatisch a good free alternative to Make?+

Yes. Automatisch is a verified open-source (AGPL-3.0) replacement for Make. A cleaner, smaller automation canvas when your scenarios do not need Make's long tail.

What is the catch when switching from Make to Automatisch?+

Automatisch's connector catalog and transformation canvas are far narrower than Make's long-tail scenario system.

How much do you save switching from Make to Automatisch?+

Make costs $12/mo ($144/yr) per seat, whereas Automatisch is $0/mo. Switching saves $144/yr for a solo user, $720/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,440/yr for a 10-person team.

How do I install or self-host Automatisch instead of Make?+

Install: Clone the repository and run Docker Compose.. Setup: Requires Docker, PostgreSQL/Redis configuration and secret management; the default sample login must be changed immediately.

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