Activepieces vs 
Windmill
Activepieces vs Windmill compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. Open-source Zapier with AI pieces vs Turn scripts into workflows and UIs.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
Activepieces vs Windmill at a glance
| Spec | Activepieces | Windmill |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Low-code AI builder | Low-code AI builder |
| Type | Automation platform | Workflow platform |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Runs locally | Self-hosted | Yes |
| Primary language | TypeScript | Rust |
| Ease of use | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Best for | teams automating workflows without vendor lock-in | developer-first internal tooling |
| GitHub stars | 23.3k | — |
How Activepieces and Windmill score
| Criterion | Activepieces | Windmill |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 3.5 | n/a |
| Maintenance | 5.0 | n/a |
| Ease of use | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| License freedom | 5.0 | 3.5 |
Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.
What each one is
Activepieces
Activepieces is an open-source automation platform (a Zapier alternative) with hundreds of connectors and first-class AI steps, self-hostable via Docker.
- Hundreds of connectors, no-code editor
- AI steps as first-class citizens
- MIT core, simple Docker self-hosting
Windmill
Windmill turns Python, TypeScript or SQL scripts into workflows, schedules and internal apps, with AI steps as first-class citizens.
- Scripts first, UI generated for you
- Very fast execution engine
- Self-hosted, no vendor lock-in
Key differences
Activepieces is automation platform, while Windmill is workflow platform. Their licenses differ (MIT vs AGPL-3.0), which matters if you ship a commercial product. Activepieces leans more beginner-friendly, whereas Windmill is more suited to intermediate users. They also differ in how they run (Self-hosted vs Yes). In short, Activepieces fits teams automating workflows without vendor lock-in, and Windmill fits developer-first internal tooling.
Which should you choose?
Choose Activepieces for teams automating workflows without vendor lock-in. Choose Windmill for developer-first internal tooling.
There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.
Frequently asked questions
Is Activepieces or Windmill easier to use?
Activepieces is generally the easier of the two to get started with, while Windmill rewards more setup with more control.
Are Activepieces and Windmill free?
Activepieces is free and open source (MIT), and Windmill is free and open source (AGPL-3.0). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run Activepieces and Windmill locally?
Activepieces: self-hosted · Windmill: yes. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
Activepieces vs Windmill — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose Activepieces for teams automating workflows without vendor lock-in. Choose Windmill for developer-first internal tooling.
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