n8n vs Activepieces: Workflow Automation Software Compared (2026)
n8n and Activepieces are two widely compared automation platforms. n8n is a workflow automation tool with a visual editor, code nodes and AI agent nodes, available as a self-hosted Community Edition or n8n Cloud, priced per workflow execution. Activepieces is an open-source no-code automation platform (MIT licence) with MCP on every integration, self-hostable or used in the cloud.
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 3 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
n8n vs Activepieces: the short answer
n8n is a workflow automation tool with a visual editor, code nodes and AI agent nodes, available as a self-hosted Community Edition or n8n Cloud, priced per workflow execution. Activepieces is an open-source no-code automation platform (MIT licence) with MCP on every integration, self-hostable or used in the cloud. Both are automation platforms, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus.
On pricing, n8n is described as: per execution (cloud) or free self-hosted; Activepieces as: per active flow (cloud) or free self-hosted. Both have a free option. n8n lists a free option: self-hosted. Activepieces lists a free option: self-host; 10 cloud flows. n8n is positioned for technical teams wanting per-execution pricing and self-hosting, and Activepieces for teams wanting open-source automation with predictable pricing.
Everything below is drawn from the two sourced profiles and the 3 dated sources listed at the end. Where a source does not document something it is marked Unknown, and third-party estimates are labelled. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and requirements.
n8n and Activepieces at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
n8n
n8n · Workflow Automation Software
n8n is a workflow automation tool with a visual editor, code nodes and AI agent nodes, available as a self-hosted Community Edition or n8n Cloud, priced per workflow execution.
- Pricing
- Community Edition free (self-hosted); Cloud Starter €20 ($24) / Pro €50 ($60) / Business €667 ($800) a month by executions; 14-day Pro trial.
- Best for
- Technical teams wanting per-execution pricing and self-hosting
Activepieces
Activepieces · Workflow Automation Software
Activepieces is an open-source no-code automation platform (MIT licence) with MCP on every integration, self-hostable or used in the cloud.
- Pricing
- Community Edition free (MIT, self-hosted); Cloud 10 free active flows then $5 per active flow a month; Enterprise custom; Embed from $30,000 a year.
- Best for
- Teams wanting open-source automation with predictable pricing
n8n vs Activepieces: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  n8n |  Activepieces |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Product typeDiffers | YesFair-code workflow automation | YesOpen-source automation |
| VendorDiffers | Yesn8n | YesActivepieces |
| Best forDiffers | YesTechnical teams wanting per-execution pricing and self-hosting | YesTeams wanting open-source automation with predictable pricing |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesPer execution (cloud) or free self-hosted. | YesPer active flow (cloud) or free self-hosted. |
| Pricing summaryDiffers | YesCommunity Edition free (self-hosted); Cloud Starter €20 ($24) / Pro €50 ($60) / Business €667 ($800) a month by executions; 14-day Pro trial. | YesCommunity Edition free (MIT, self-hosted); Cloud 10 free active flows then $5 per active flow a month; Enterprise custom; Embed from $30,000 a year. |
| Free planDiffers | YesYes (self-hosted) | YesYes (self-host; 10 cloud flows) |
| Free trialDiffers | YesYes (14 days) | NoNot documented |
| Workflow Automation Software criteria | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesBy executions | YesPer active flow |
| Starting priceDiffers | PartialFree (self-hosted); ~€20/mo cloud | YesFree; $5/flow/mo |
| TypeDiffers | YesTechnical automation | YesOpen-source no-code |
| Best forDiffers | YesSelf-hosting + AI | YesPredictable pricing |
| Fit and platform | ||
| Team sizeDiffers | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams |
| Platforms | YesWeb, Self-hosted | YesWeb, Self-hosted |
| IntegrationsDiffers | YesOpenAI, Slack, Postgres, Google Sheets | YesSlack, Google Sheets, OpenAI, HubSpot |
| API | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. |
n8n vs Activepieces pricing.
Plan names, prices and billing terms as reported in each profile's sources. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded unless stated.
n8n pricing
Per execution (cloud) or free self-hosted.
- Community$0 · Free
- Starter€20 per month · Monthly or annual
- Pro€50 per month · Monthly or annual
- Business€667 per month · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (June 2026); Composio (June 2026), competitor; conflicting currencies. Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All n8n plans and sources
Activepieces pricing
Per active flow (cloud) or free self-hosted.
- Community$0 · Free
- Cloud free$0 · Free
- Standard$5 per active flow per month · Monthly
- EmbedFrom $30,000 per year · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Composio (June 2026), competitor. Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Activepieces plans and sourcesn8n vs Activepieces: pricing model, ecosystem and fit.
Pricing model and cost drivers
n8n: per execution (cloud) or free self-hosted. Dupple (June 2026); Composio (June 2026), competitor; conflicting currencies. Activepieces: per active flow (cloud) or free self-hosted. Composio (June 2026), competitor. Model costs at your real seat count, usage and contract term before comparing headline prices.
What sets each apart
The n8n profile highlights: per-execution pricing; self-hostable; fair-code licence. The Activepieces profile highlights: MIT licence; per-flow pricing; MCP everywhere.
Integrations and ecosystem
n8n integrations named in its sources: OpenAI, Slack, Postgres and Google Sheets. Activepieces: Slack, Google Sheets, OpenAI and HubSpot. Check that the connectors you rely on exist on the plan you would buy.
Deployment and team fit
n8n runs on Web and Self-hosted and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. Activepieces runs on Web and Self-hosted and is documented for small teams and mid-size teams. We did not test setup or migration.
n8n and Activepieces: each option, in balance.
Each point is linked to a dated source on the product's profile.
n8n
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Per-execution pricing.
- Open source and self-hostable.
- Deep AI nodes.
- Self-hosting means maintenance.
- Technical interface.
- No free cloud tier.
Activepieces
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- MIT open-source licence.
- Predictable per-flow pricing.
- MCP on every integration.
- Younger ecosystem.
- Slower cloud execution.
- Thin custom-piece docs.
n8n or Activepieces: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose n8n if you are…
- Technical teams wanting per-execution pricing and self-hosting
- AI agent builders
- Privacy-sensitive organisations
Less suited to: non-technical users; teams wanting zero ops.
See the n8n profile
Choose Activepieces if you are…
- Teams wanting open-source automation with predictable pricing
- AI agent builders
- SaaS embedding automation
Less suited to: enterprises needing mature support; huge connector needs.
See the Activepieces profileSwitching between n8n and Activepieces.
Moving off n8n or Activepieces means listing every active workflow, rebuilding triggers, steps and data mappings, re-authenticating every connected app, re-creating error alerts and schedules, and running old and new automations side by side until outputs match. Retire old workflows one at a time. Rebuild your three highest-volume workflows in each shortlisted tool, run them for two weeks with real data, and compare reliability, error handling and the projected monthly bill.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Compare total cost at your real volume, including add-ons and services.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
n8n vs Activepieces: questions and answers
What is the difference between n8n and Activepieces?
n8n is a workflow automation tool with a visual editor, code nodes and AI agent nodes, available as a self-hosted Community Edition or n8n Cloud, priced per workflow execution. Activepieces is an open-source no-code automation platform (MIT licence) with MCP on every integration, self-hostable or used in the cloud. Both are automation platforms, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus. n8n is positioned for technical teams wanting per-execution pricing and self-hosting; Activepieces for teams wanting open-source automation with predictable pricing.
Is n8n cheaper than Activepieces?
It depends on your volume and plan. n8n: Community Edition free (self-hosted); Cloud Starter €20 ($24) / Pro €50 ($60) / Business €667 ($800) a month by executions; 14-day Pro trial. Activepieces: Community Edition free (MIT, self-hosted); Cloud 10 free active flows then $5 per active flow a month; Enterprise custom; Embed from $30,000 a year. Compare both at your real seat count, usage and contract term.
Do n8n or Activepieces have a free plan?
Both have a free option. n8n lists a free option: self-hosted. Activepieces lists a free option: self-host; 10 cloud flows. n8n free trial: Yes (14 days). Activepieces free trial: Not documented.
n8n or Activepieces: which is better for small teams?
n8n and Activepieces are both documented for small teams. n8n suits technical teams wanting per-execution pricing and self-hosting; Activepieces suits teams wanting open-source automation with predictable pricing. Neither is best for everyone.
What are the main limitations of n8n and Activepieces?
n8n: Self-hosting means maintenance. Activepieces: Younger ecosystem.
How much does n8n cost?
Self-hosting is free; Cloud Starter is about €20 ($24) a month for 2,500 executions, per 2026 sources.
How much does Activepieces cost?
Self-hosting is free; the cloud gives 10 free active flows, then $5 per active flow a month.
What are the alternatives to n8n and Activepieces?
Stack18 has alternatives guides for both: n8n alternatives and Activepieces alternatives, each comparing at least four other automation platforms on pricing, free plan, features and fit. The Workflow Automation Software category lists every profile.
Where this comparison comes from.
- The 8 Best Workflow Automation Tools in 2026 (updated 2 November 2026; prices as of June 2026) Dupple Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
- 8 Best Zapier Alternatives in 2026 (25 June 2026) Composio (competitor blog) Competitor Accessed 11 Nov 2026
- Best iPaaS and integration platforms in 2026 (updated 4 August 2026) Automation Atlas Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
This comparison summarises the n8n and Activepieces profiles and their sources. Third-party figures are labelled; confirm current pricing and terms with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested these products.
Ready to test n8n and Activepieces?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
Logos provided by Logo.dev. Product names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners and appear for identification only; they do not imply endorsement.