Automation apps you can self-host — Oct 2026
We keep install counts on every app in our catalog, so this automation roundup is built from real numbers, not hunches.
The catalog currently carries 3 automation options. Home Assistant leads on installs, and several entries trade places week to week.
The shortlist, ranked
| # | App | Category | Installs | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home Assistant Automate your smart home, fully local | Automation | 196 000 | €0.046/hr |
| 2 | n8n Workflow automation with 400+ integrations | Automation | 124 000 | €0.023/hr |
| 3 | Node-RED Flow-based wiring for IoT & APIs | Automation | 64 000 | €0.023/hr |
Which one fits your case
Home Assistant
Home Assistant covers the essentials without demanding a manual. It runs comfortably on 2 vCPU / 4 GB here. Its install count is not luck — it is the default answer for most automation questions we see.
n8n
N8n covers the essentials without demanding a manual. Plan for 1 vCPU and 2 GB of RAM. Worth a demo before you commit to the leader.
Node-RED
Node-RED covers the essentials without demanding a manual. Plan for 1 vCPU and 2 GB of RAM. Lesser known, often a better fit for smaller teams.
Choosing a server
You can try any of them for the price of a coffee per day: Pay as you go works out near €0.046 an hour at full spec, and pausing stops the meter. The install wizard pre-selects the right plan for you.
Generated 2026-10-22 from live catalog data · all guides