⚙️ Automation Comparison

Activepieces vs n8n

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Last updated: 2026-02-07

Activepieces

Free tier, self-host free, cloud from $5/flow/mo

Strengths

  • + Fully open-source with unlimited self-hosted tasks
  • + Cloud pricing based on active flows, not task counts
  • + Clean visual builder with AI agent support

Weaknesses

  • − Smaller integration library than Zapier or Make
  • − Relatively new project, still maturing
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n8n

Self-host free, cloud from $20/mo

Strengths

  • + Self-hostable
  • + More powerful than Zapier/Make
  • + 70k+ GitHub stars

Weaknesses

  • − Steeper learning curve
  • − Self-hosting needs technical skill
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The verdict

Which one is right for you?

Choose Activepieces if you want

  • → Fully open-source with unlimited self-hosted tasks
  • → Cloud pricing based on active flows, not task counts
Try Activepieces →

Choose n8n if you want

  • → Self-hostable
  • → More powerful than Zapier/Make
Try n8n →

In depth

About each tool

Activepieces

Open-source automation platform and self-hostable alternative to Zapier

Activepieces is an open-source workflow automation tool that can be self-hosted for free with no task limits, or used as a managed cloud service. The cloud free plan includes 1,000 task executions per month, while the Standard plan charges $5 per active flow per month with unlimited runs. For solo founders who want full data control without per-task pricing, the self-hosted Community Edition is a strong alternative to Zapier and Make.

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n8n

Open source workflow automation

n8n is automation for people who want control. Founded by Jan Oberhauser in 2019, it’s “fair-code” — source is open, you can self-host free, but can’t commercialize it. 70k GitHub stars. Quadrupled revenue in 8 months after pivoting to AI automation. Europe’s 25th fastest-growing startup in 2024.

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