Automation & Workflows

Activepieces vs n8n: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Activepieces and n8n? Both are popular automation & workflows tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.

Quick verdict

Both are solid automation & workflows options. n8n is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need.

Activepieces vs n8n — Side by Side

Activepiecesn8n
CategoryAutomation & WorkflowsAutomation & Workflows
PricingFree · paid from $25/moFree · paid from $20/mo
Starting priceFree tier availableFree tier available
Free tier
Best forAutomation & Workflows — open-source, no-codeAutomation & Workflows — open-source, self-hosted

Pros & Cons

  • Fully open-source (MIT)
  • Self-hostable — own your data
  • No per-task lock-in
  • Native AI steps
  • Smaller integration library than Zapier
  • Self-hosting needs ops effort
  • Self-hostable & developer-friendly
  • Native AI/agent automation
  • No per-task pricing self-hosted
  • Code when you need it
  • Self-host needs ops
  • Smaller integration library than Zapier

Choose Activepieces if…

you want a free tier to start, and Activepieces Open-source, self-hostable workflow automation with an MIT-licensed core and native AI steps.

Activepieces review & pricing

Choose n8n if…

you want a free tier to start, and n8n Open-source, self-hostable workflow automation with native AI/agent nodes — fair-code and developer-friendly.

n8n review & pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Activepieces better than n8n?

Both are solid automation & workflows options. n8n is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need.

What is the difference between Activepieces and n8n?

Activepieces — Open-source, self-hostable workflow automation with an MIT-licensed core and native AI steps. n8n — Open-source, self-hostable workflow automation with native AI/agent nodes — fair-code and developer-friendly. Both are automation & workflows tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.

Activepieces vs n8n: which is cheaper?

Activepieces pricing: Free · paid from $25/mo. n8n pricing: Free · paid from $20/mo. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.

See more options in our guide to the best automation & workflows tools for startups.

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