Automad

Self-Hosted

Open-source conference management tool for seamless event organization

Overview

Automad is an open-source conference management solution that simplifies event planning, attendee registration, session scheduling, and speaker coordination. It uses a flat-file system (no database needed) for easy deployment via Docker or traditional web servers. Key features include custom event pages, ticket integration, real-time attendee tracking, and analytics dashboards. Ideal for small to medium events, it offers flexible branding and workflow customization to match specific conference needs.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  automad:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: automad
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Attendee registration & ticketing integration
Session scheduling with room assignments
Speaker profile management
Event analytics dashboard
Custom branding & workflow options

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Automad hard to install?

Automad is straightforward to install: it supports Docker for one-click deployment or manual setup on Apache/Nginx servers with PHP 7.4+. Since it uses a flat-file system, no database configuration is needed, making it accessible for most users.

? Is it a good alternative to Eventbrite?

Yes, for self-hosted needs. Unlike Eventbrite's SaaS model, Automad lets you avoid transaction fees (with external gateways) and control data privacy. It lacks some of Eventbrite’s marketing tools but excels at custom workflows and branding.

? Is it completely free?

Automad is 100% free and open-source under the MIT license. You can use, modify, and self-host it without any costs—only hosting/domain expenses or third-party integration fees apply.

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Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Conference Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ No database required (flat-file system)
⊕ Easy Docker deployment
⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data control)
⊕ Free & open-source with no subscription fees

Cons

⊖ Limited scalability for large-scale conferences
⊖ Requires basic technical knowledge for setup
⊖ No built-in payment gateway (needs third-party integration)