12 picks · data-backed ranking
Best source-available self-hosted apps
The most popular source-available self-hosted apps are n8n, Dify.ai and Open-WebUI. n8n leads with 208,840 GitHub stars.
Candidates: the 45 apps whose license appsgit classifies as source-available (public code, but not an OSI-approved license).
Source-available apps publish their code but use a license that is not OSI-approved, usually to stop others selling the software as a hosted service or to limit production use. They are often free to self-host for your own use; read each license first.
Updated · data from GitHub, refreshed daily
Top picks
- Rank 1:
n8n
n8n-io/n8n
Free node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services.
Active · last commit Oct 28, 2026
FeaturedSource-availableAutomation & WorkflowsTypeScriptDockerStands out for the most GitHub stars. n8n has 208,840 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Sustainable Use License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 10,360 commits in the last year; it replaces Zapier and IFTTT.
- Rank 2:
Dify.ai
langgenius/dify
Build, test and deploy LLM applications.
Active · last commit Oct 28, 2026
Source-availableLow-code & BackendPythonDockerAI-nativeStands out for AI features named in its own description. Dify.ai has 159,780 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Dify Open Source License (modified Apache 2.0) (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 6,840 commits in the last year.
- Rank 3:
Open-WebUI
open-webui/open-webui
User-friendly AI Interface, supports Ollama, OpenAI API.
Active · last commit Oct 28, 2026
Source-availableAI & LLM ToolsPythonDockerAI-nativeStands out for an appsgit step-by-step deploy guide. Open-WebUI has 157,004 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Open WebUI License (BSD-3-Clause plus branding clause) (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 6,037 commits in the last year; it replaces ChatGPT and Lovable.
At a glance
Source-available self-hosted apps compared
Sorted by GitHub stars.
| App | Stands out for | License | GitHub stars | Commits (12 mo) | Last commit | Docker image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | the most GitHub stars | source-available, Sustainable Use License 1.0 | 208,840 | 10,360 | Oct 28, 2026 | Yes |
| Dify.ai | AI features named in its own description | source-available, Dify Open Source License (modified Apache 2.0) | 159,780 | 6,840 | Oct 28, 2026 | Yes |
| Open-WebUI | an appsgit step-by-step deploy guide | source-available, Open WebUI License (BSD-3-Clause plus branding clause) | 157,004 | 6,037 | Oct 28, 2026 | Yes |
| LobeHub | – | source-available, LobeHub Community License | 83,550 | 8,610 | Oct 28, 2026 | Yes |
| AFFiNE | – | source-available, MIT (client) and AFFiNE Enterprise Edition license (server) | 73,923 | 761 | Oct 27, 2026 | Yes |
| NocoDB | – | source-available, Sustainable Use License 1.0 | 65,369 | 7,195 | Oct 28, 2026 | Yes |
| tldraw | – | source-available, tldraw license | 51,123 | 1,931 | Oct 28, 2026 | No |
| Sentry Self-Hosted | – | source-available, FSL 1.1 (Apache 2.0 future license) | 45,666 | 20,112 | Oct 28, 2026 | No |
| Outline | – | source-available, BSL 1.1 | 41,090 | 2,392 | Oct 28, 2026 | Yes |
| Directus | – | source-available, Monospace Sustainable Core License 1.0 | 38,678 | 788 | Oct 28, 2026 | Yes |
Full ranking
All 12 picks, ranked
Sorted by GitHub stars.
- 1
n8nFeatured
Free node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services.
Source-availableAutomation & WorkflowsDockerStands out for the most GitHub stars. n8n has 208,840 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Sustainable Use License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 10,360 commits in the last year; it replaces Zapier and IFTTT.
- 2
Dify.ai
Build, test and deploy LLM applications.
Source-availableLow-code & BackendDockerAI-nativeStands out for AI features named in its own description. Dify.ai has 159,780 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Dify Open Source License (modified Apache 2.0) (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 6,840 commits in the last year.
- 3
Open-WebUI
User-friendly AI Interface, supports Ollama, OpenAI API.
Source-availableAI & LLM ToolsDockerAI-nativeStands out for an appsgit step-by-step deploy guide. Open-WebUI has 157,004 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Open WebUI License (BSD-3-Clause plus branding clause) (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 6,037 commits in the last year; it replaces ChatGPT and Lovable.
- 4
LobeHub
Modern design AI chat framework supporting multiple AI providers, one click install MCP Marketplace and Artifacts / Thinking.
Source-availableAI & LLM ToolsDockerAI-nativeLobeHub has 83,550 GitHub stars, is source-available under the LobeHub Community License (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 8,610 commits in the last year; it replaces ChatGPT and Lovable.
- 5
AFFiNE
Privacy-first workspace that combines docs, whiteboards and databases, an open-source Notion alternative.
Source-availableNote-taking & EditorsDockerAFFiNE has 73,923 GitHub stars, is source-available under the MIT (client) and AFFiNE Enterprise Edition license (server) (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 761 commits in the last year; it replaces Notion and Dropbox Paper.
- 6
NocoDB
No-code platform that turns any database into a smart spreadsheet (alternative to Airtable and Smartsheet).
Source-availableDatabase ManagementDockerNocoDB has 65,369 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Sustainable Use License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 7,195 commits in the last year; it replaces Airtable and Microsoft Access.
- 7
tldraw
Infinite canvas whiteboard and SDK for drawing and diagramming.
Source-availableUtilitiestldraw has 51,123 GitHub stars, is source-available under the tldraw license (not an open-source license) and had 1,931 commits in the last year; it replaces Figma and Lucidchart.
- 8
Sentry Self-Hosted
Powerful error tracking platform with wide language support and a robust API.
Source-availableDeveloper ToolsSentry Self-Hosted has 45,666 GitHub stars, is source-available under the FSL 1.1 (Apache 2.0 future license) (not an open-source license) and had 20,112 commits in the last year; it replaces Sentry.
- 9
Outline
Extensible wiki for your team.
Source-availableWikis & Knowledge BasesDockerOutline has 41,090 GitHub stars, is source-available under the BSL 1.1 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 2,392 commits in the last year; it replaces Confluence.
- 10
Directus
An Instant App & API for your SQL Database. Directus wraps your new or existing SQL database with a realtime GraphQL+REST API for developers, and an intuitive admin app for non-technical users.
Source-availableDatabase ManagementDockerDirectus has 38,678 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Monospace Sustainable Core License 1.0 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 788 commits in the last year; it replaces Airtable.
- 11
NocoBase
Extensible no-code and low-code platform for building business apps.
Source-availableLow-code & BackendDockerNocoBase has 24,754 GitHub stars, is source-available under the NocoBase License Agreement (Apache 2.0 with added terms) (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 6,129 commits in the last year.
- 12
Thingsboard
IoT Platform - Device management, data collection, processing and visualization.
Source-availableHome Automation & IoTDockerThingsboard has 22,615 GitHub stars, is source-available under the BSL 1.1 (not an open-source license), ships a Docker image and had 4,239 commits in the last year.
Is n8n free?
Not by the OSI definition. n8n is source-available rather than open source: its code is public under the Sustainable Use License 1.0, which is not an OSI-approved open-source license. The Sustainable Use License allows use and changes for your own internal business or personal purposes, but not reselling the software or offering it as a paid hosted service. Check the license in the repository before using it commercially.
Can I self-host these apps with Docker?
Yes, 10 of the 12 picks. n8n, Dify.ai and Open-WebUI publish Docker images, so you can run them on a VPS or home server with Docker Compose. The others install from their own packages or source; follow each project's install guide.
Are all of these apps open source?
No. None of the 12 apps on this list is open source by the OSI definition: their code is public under source-available licenses that add conditions, such as limits on hosted, competing or commercial use. Many are still free to self-host for your own use; read each license before you deploy.
Which of these apps is the most actively developed?
Sentry Self-Hosted, with 20,112 commits in the last 12 months and a latest release, 26.10.0, from October 2026. Activity is a good sign that bugs and security issues get fixed.
How is this list ranked?
Sorted by GitHub stars.
The weekly digest
New self-hosted apps, every week
Fresh releases, rising projects and one deploy guide a week. Join home labbers and engineers who self-host.