What is the difference between Activepieces and Pipedream?

Activepieces is best for Teams wanting open-source workflow automation, while Pipedream is best for Developers wanting code-first workflow automation. Activepieces starts at Free and Pipedream starts at Free.

Is Activepieces or Pipedream cheaper?

Activepieces starts at Free and is free. Pipedream starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to Pipedream?

Both Activepieces and Pipedream offer free tiers.

Activepieces vs Pipedream

Activepieces is open-source automation platform with a visual builder, 100+ integrations, and self-hosting option, while Pipedream is developer-focused workflow automation with built-in code steps, API access, and 1000+ integrations. Activepieces is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Activepieces is built for teams wanting open-source workflow automation, whereas Pipedream targets developers wanting code-first workflow automation.

At a glance

	Activepieces	Pipedream
Best for	Teams wanting open-source workflow automation	Developers wanting code-first workflow automation
Starting price	Free	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	✓	—
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	✓	—
100+ Integrations	✓	—
1000+ Integrations	—	✓
API Access	—	✓
Code Steps	✓	✓
Cron Triggers	—	✓
Self-Hosted	✓	—
Visual Builder	✓	—

Activepieces

Strengths

Open source and transparent
Includes Visual Builder as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
Fully open-source — you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in
The core product is free with no paywalled essentials

Weaknesses

May lack some advanced features
Self-hosting is free but requires server maintenance and DevOps knowledge
Self-hosting requires Linux admin skills and ongoing server maintenance
Complex automations can break silently if a connected service changes its API

Try Activepieces → Full review

Pipedream

Strengths

Includes Code Steps as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
Includes API Access as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
Free for 100 runs/day — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Includes 1000+ integrations alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Developer-oriented tooling may not suit non-technical team members
Complex automations can break silently if a connected service changes its API
Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up

Try Pipedream → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Both Activepieces and Pipedream are free. You can try both without spending a dollar.

Feature gaps: Activepieces offers 100+ Integrations, Self-Hosted and Visual Builder that Pipedream lacks. Pipedream brings 1000+ Integrations, API Access and Cron Triggers that Activepieces does not have. Both share Code Steps.

Team fit: Activepieces is geared toward small teams teams, while Pipedream is aimed at individual users and small setups. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Open source: Activepieces is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Pipedream is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.

Where each tool shines: Activepieces's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. includes visual builder as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows. Pipedream's biggest strengths are: includes code steps as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows. includes api access as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows.

Watch out for: With Activepieces, users commonly note that may lack some advanced features. With Pipedream, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose Activepieces if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting open-source workflow automation
You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
You specifically need 100+ Integrations and Self-Hosted
You care about includes visual builder as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
Your team size fits the small teams profile Activepieces is designed for

Choose Pipedream if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers wanting code-first workflow automation
You specifically need 1000+ Integrations and API Access
You care about includes api access as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
Your team size fits the individuals profile Pipedream is designed for
The free tier works for you: free for 100 runs/day