Automatisch is a self-hosted, no-code automation tool designed for businesses that need to connect apps like Twitter, Slack, and others without relying on third-party cloud platforms. It solves the problem of expensive, opaque SaaS automation tools by offering full data control and transparency through open-source software. Ideal for healthcare, finance, and EU-based companies subject to GDPR, it enables non-technical users to build workflows without writing code.
Built with JavaScript and Docker, Automatisch supports over 50 integrations via its plugin system and offers both AGPL-licensed Community Edition and Enterprise Edition. Deployment is straightforward with Docker Compose, and users retain complete ownership of their data, workflows, and credentials—unlike cloud-based alternatives like Zapier or Integromat.
What You Get
- Self-Hosted Workflow Automation - Run all automation workflows on your own infrastructure with full control over data, eliminating third-party data exposure and compliance risks.
- No-Code Visual Workflow Builder - Create multi-step automations using a drag-and-drop interface with triggers and actions—no programming required.
- GDPR-Compliant Data Handling - Store all user data, tokens, and workflow logs on your servers, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR.
- 50+ Prebuilt Integrations - Connect to services like Twitter, Slack, Gmail, Notion, GitHub, and more via official plugins without custom API development.
- Open Source AGPL License - Full access to source code, ability to audit, modify, and extend functionality without vendor restrictions.
- Docker-Based Deployment - Deploy in minutes using docker-compose up with built-in PostgreSQL and Redis dependencies, supporting Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Common Use Cases
- Running a GDPR-compliant customer support bot - A European SaaS company uses Automatisch to auto-forward support emails from Gmail to Slack and log them in Notion—all hosted internally to avoid data leaks.
- Automating social media monitoring for brand alerts - A marketing team triggers Slack alerts whenever their brand is mentioned on Twitter, using Automatisch to poll Twitter’s API without exposing credentials to cloud services.
- Syncing CRM leads to internal databases - A healthcare provider automates lead capture from a web form into their on-premises PostgreSQL database via Automatisch, avoiding third-party CRMs that violate patient data policies.
- Internal team notifications from GitHub commits - A dev team uses Automatisch to post new GitHub commits to a private Slack channel, keeping sensitive code activity within their firewall.
Under The Hood
Architecture
- Separated monolithic application into distinct service containers with clear process boundaries, enabling independent scaling of API and background processing
- Implements worker pattern using Redis for job queuing, decoupling long-running operations from HTTP request handling
- Uses modular components for OAuth, webhooks, and notifications with well-defined domain boundaries and minimal cross-cutting concerns
- Leverages environment-driven configuration and dependency injection to isolate secrets and external services at runtime
Tech Stack
- Node.js backend with Express.js for routing and Knex.js/Objection.js for data access, paired with PostgreSQL and Redis for persistent storage and queuing
- Docker-based containerization with custom images and orchestration via docker-compose, deployed on Render with integrated database and caching services
- Vue.js frontend with Handlebars templating, bundled into a monolithic JavaScript application
- Comprehensive testing utilities including Vitest, Supertest, Lodash, and Luxon for unit, integration, and mock-based validation
Code Quality
- Extensive test coverage with unit, integration, and end-to-end tests that mock external dependencies and simulate real-world scenarios
- Clear separation of concerns through modular controllers, factory functions, and consistent naming conventions that enhance readability and maintainability
- Robust error handling with standardized HTTP responses and structured assertions, though lacking custom error classes
- Consistent linting, predictable file organization, and reusable mock utilities that reduce duplication and improve test reliability
What Makes It Unique
- Native MCP server integration enables real-time, bidirectional communication with external services without polling or webhooks
- Visual flow editor built with React Flow allows users to design complex automations through intuitive drag-and-drop visual scripting
- Unified app connector framework with extensible trigger/action abstractions simplifies integration of dozens of platforms with minimal boilerplate
- Flow versioning and templating treat workflows as version-controlled artifacts, enabling team-wide sharing and reuse
- Built-in execution tracing and debugging UI provides granular insight into flow execution, including payload inspection and error context—rare in low-code platforms
- OpenAPI-first backend design with token-based auth enables seamless third-party tooling and headless automation deployments