Free and open first
Best Ai Automation in 2026
AI automation tools help you build workflows that connect services, run tasks, and use AI agents. This list covers web, API, self-hosted, extension, Windows, and macOS options.
- 28 apps
- Research read 7 Oct 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Dify
Free plan Open source APIExtensionLinux+4Dify brings workflow building, knowledge retrieval, model connections, and several publishing options into one platform.
- 2
Kestra
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3Kestra combines configurable workflow execution with a broad advertised plugin library and multiple deployment options.
- 3
Vellum
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+5Vellum offers a personal assistant with saved context, skills, integrations and approval controls.
- 4
Windmill
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+2Windmill combines developer scripting with low-code workflow and app building, and supports self-hosting.
- 5
Activepieces
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebActivepieces combines workflow automation, agent building, and a broad integration catalog, with cloud and self-hosted deployment options.
- 6
Flowise
Free plan APILinuxMac+3Flowise offers visual workflow construction, integrations, and deployment options, but its wind-down is a central consideration.
- 7
CrewAI AMP
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebChoose CrewAI AMP if your team needs several ways to build multi-agent workflows alongside tracing and governance controls.
- 8
Bardeen
Free plan ExtensionWebBardeen combines web research, scraping, enrichment, and workflow automation for go-to-market work. Review the credit costs and expiry terms alongside the monthly plan prices when estimating usage.
- 9
Dust
Free plan APIExtensionWebDust combines agent creation, company connectors, collaboration, and scheduled workflows, with a free tier and paid annual-billed plans.
- 10
StackAI
Free plan APIExtensionSelf-hosted+1Choose StackAI if you want a visual way to build AI workflows for back-office processes, with multiple export formats, integrations and deployment choices.
- 11
Langflow
Free plan APILinuxMac+3Langflow offers visual workflow building alongside Python extensibility, API use, and agent and MCP support. Its execution and isolation model requires care, particularly for multi-tenant deployments.
- 12
- 13
Orkes Conductor
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebOrkes Conductor offers durable workflows, human approval steps, and support for multiple agent frameworks and deployment arrangements.
- 14
Pipedream
by PipedreamFree plan APIWebPipedream brings workflow building, API integrations, and managed authentication into one service.
6.9 Visit site - 15
Trigger.dev
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebTrigger.dev combines workflow execution, agent features, scheduling, and run observability, with a self-hosted deployment option.
- 16
- 17
Relevance AI
Free plan WebRelevance AI offers workflow-building tools, model access, integrations, and security controls, with plan limits varying by tier.
- 18
Automation Anywhere Automation 360
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1 - 19
Workato Agentic
by Workato AgenticFree plan APIWebChoose Workato Agentic if your organization needs to build agents that act across connected systems, use knowledge, and coordinate workflows with governance controls.
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Moveworks
Paid AndroidAPIExtension+2Moveworks brings permission-aware knowledge search and cross-system task automation into one enterprise platform. Organizations need to request a quote, and the company offers a personalized demo.
- 25
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
Compare free plans, trials, and paid starting prices. If you need to read or change code, check the open-source licence. Also check workflow building, model choices, included executions, self-hosting, and human approval steps.
Questions
Can I use an AI automation tool for free?
Yes. Tools on this list offer free plans, including Activepieces, Bardeen, CrewAI AMP, Dify, Dust, Flowise, and Kestra. Check the plan terms before relying on it.
Which AI automation tools have open-source code?
Open-source code is available from tools on this list. Check the licence for the specific tool if you need to read, modify, or redistribute its code.
Are free trials available?
A free trial is available from tools on this list. IBM watsonx Orchestrate lists a 30-day trial; other trial terms depend on the tool.
What platforms do these tools support?
Platforms represented here include web, API, self-hosted, extension, Windows, and macOS. Check the platform listed for the tool you are considering.
What features should I compare?
Compare free plan, paid starting price, workflow builder, AI agents, AI model options, included executions, self-hosting, and human approval steps.