Activepieces vs n8n
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Activepieces | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Teams wanting open-source, AI-first automation with 704+ integrations and predictable tiered pricing; strong for AI agent adoption and privacy-conscious self-hosting. | Developers and technical teams needing flexible, node-based workflows with native AI agent nodes, code steps, and 400+ integrations; ideal for IT Ops and custom automations. |
| Pricing | Free tier (1000 tasks/mo), Pro $10/mo (10k tasks), Self-Hosted free (unlimited tasks, community support only). | Community free (self-host, unlimited workflows), Starter $20/mo (5 workflows cloud), Pro $50/mo (unlimited workflows, sharing). |
| Setup complexity | Low for cloud; self-hosted requires Docker but well-documented; visual builder is intuitive with AI builder support. | Moderate for self-host (Docker, config); cloud signup is quick; visual builder with node placement, but advanced features need technical understanding. |
| Strongest differentiator | 704+ integrations and dedicated AI agent builder with gamification and adoption analytics for enterprise AI rollout. | Native AI agent nodes (OpenAI, LangChain, etc.) and code nodes (JS/Python) with npm packages, plus 9,500+ workflow templates. |
Activepieces vs n8n: For most teams seeking an open-source automation platform in 2026, n8n wins for technical depth and flexibility. Its native AI agent nodes, code execution, and massive template library make it the go-to for developers and IT Ops. Activepieces wins for AI adoption at scale, with its gamification, impact analytics, and 704+ integrations appealing to organizations rolling AI out broadly. Choose Activepieces if you want an AI-first experience with enterprise governance out of the box; choose n8n if you need raw power and customization.
Feature-by-feature
Core capabilities: Activepieces vs n8n
Activepieces offers a visual flow builder with an AI agent builder, 704+ integrations, and human approval steps. n8n provides a similar visual builder but with more advanced code nodes (JavaScript, Python with npm), webhook triggers, and an expression language (Tournament) for dynamic parameters. Activepieces includes AI adoption analytics and gamification (leaderboards, badges) to drive team usage, whereas n8n focuses on workflow robustness with error handling and retries. n8n wins here for technical flexibility and error handling; Activepieces leads in AI adoption features.
AI/model approach: Activepieces vs n8n
Activepieces has a dedicated AI agent builder with MCP servers and tables, plus cost savings estimates for AI workflows. n8n provides AI agent nodes supporting OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, LangChain, and RAG setups, allowing multi-agent workflows. n8n’s AI integration is more open—you can bring any model via HTTP or node—while Activepieces’ approach is more guided and opinionated. n8n wins for AI flexibility and model choice; Activepieces wins for AI governance and analytics.
Integrations & ecosystem: Activepieces vs n8n
Activepieces boasts 704+ integrations, including all major CRMs, email, and productivity tools, with a pieces marketplace for community contributions. n8n offers 400+ pre-built integrations (nodes) but compensates with an HTTP Request node for any API, plus 9,500+ workflow templates. Activepieces has the larger native catalog, but n8n’s HTTP node makes it effectively limitless. Activepieces wins for breadth of native connectors; n8n ties via universal HTTP node.
Performance & scale: Activepieces vs n8n
Activepieces scales with tiered task limits (1000/mo free to unlimited self-host). n8n uses execution-based pricing (no task caps) and self-hosters can run unlimited workflows. Both are open-source and can be self-hosted for full control. Activepieces offers enterprise SSO, RBAC, and audit logs on paid plans; n8n requires self-host for advanced governance (SSO available in Pro but limited). n8n wins for scaling large workflows due to execution-based pricing; Activepieces wins for enterprise governance features.
Developer experience: Activepieces vs n8n
Activepieces provides a visual AI builder and its pieces marketplace simplifies integrations. n8n offers code nodes with npm packages, custom function nodes, and Git version control (self-hosted), giving developers more power. n8n’s instant feedback in the builder and extensive expression language attract developers. Activepieces targets broader team adoption with gamification. n8n wins for developer-centric customization; Activepieces wins for team collaboration features.
Workflow automation depth: Activepieces vs n8n
Both support webhooks, scheduled triggers, branching, and data transformation. n8n adds human-in-the-loop approvals, error handling with automatic retries, and multiple environments (dev/prod) on cloud. Activepieces has human approval steps too, but fewer workflow control features. n8n’s error resilience and environment management are superior. n8n wins for workflow reliability and lifecycle management.
Pricing compared
Activepieces pricing (2026)
Activepieces offers a freemium model with three tiers: Free ($0) provides 1000 tasks/month, community pieces, and cloud hosting. Pro ($10/month) includes 10k tasks, premium support, and custom domains. Self-Hosted ($0) gives unlimited tasks and full data control but only community support. This pricing is task-based, which can be limiting for high-volume automated workflows, but the self-hosted option is attractive for those with infrastructure.
n8n pricing (2026)
n8n also uses a freemium model: Community ($0) is self-hosted with unlimited workflows. Starter ($20/month) offers cloud hosting but limits to 5 workflows. Pro ($50/month) unlocks unlimited workflows and sharing. n8n’s pricing is workflow-execution based, not task-based, meaning users pay for active workflow runs rather than individual steps. This can be more cost-effective for complex multi-step automations.
Value-per-dollar: Activepieces vs n8n
For small teams with low task counts, Activepieces’ free 1000 tasks/mo is generous, but its Pro tier ($10 for 10k tasks) is cheap. n8n’s Starter ($20) only allows 5 workflows, which may be restrictive. For high-volume or complex workflows, n8n’s execution-based pricing (unlimited workflows on Pro) can be cheaper than Activepieces’ task caps. Self-hosted users get unlimited tasks from Activepieces and unlimited workflows from n8n—both free. Activepieces wins for low-volume, low-cost automation; n8n wins for high-volume, complex workflow automation.
Who should pick which
- Solo developer building custom automationsPick: n8n
n8n’s code nodes (JS/Python with npm) and native AI agents (OpenAI, LangChain) allow deep customization; its self-hosted Community edition is free and unlimited.
- Enterprise AI adoption team (50+ users)Pick: Activepieces
Activepieces includes AI adoption analytics, gamification, and enterprise SSO/RBAC out of the box, easing rollout across the enterprise.
- Privacy-focused team needing self-hostingPick: Activepieces
Both self-host, but Activepieces’ self-hosted edition has unlimited tasks and a dedicated AI agent builder with no hidden limits.
- IT Ops team automating onboarding/incidentsPick: n8n
n8n’s webhooks, event streams, and error handling with retries fit IT Ops workflows; community templates for onboarding are abundant.
- Small business with limited budgetPick: Activepieces
Activepieces’ free tier offers 1000 tasks/mo and 10 active flows, while Pro at $10/mo is cheaper than n8n’s Starter at $20/mo with workflow limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Activepieces and n8n?
Activepieces has 704+ integrations versus n8n’s 400+. Activepieces focuses on AI adoption with analytics and gamification, while n8n offers more technical flexibility with code nodes and native AI agents. Pricing: Activepieces is task-based, n8n is workflow-execution-based.
Which tool is better for AI automation?
For AI agent building, n8n provides native nodes for OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and LangChain, allowing complex multi-agent setups. Activepieces has an AI agent builder with MCP servers but less model variety. n8n is better for AI flexibility; Activepieces is better for AI governance and adoption metrics.
Can I self-host both Activepieces and n8n?
Yes, both are open-source and can be self-hosted. Activepieces offers a Community Edition with unlimited tasks (community support). n8n’s Community edition is self-hosted with unlimited workflows. Both require Docker and technical know-how.
Which has more integrations: Activepieces vs n8n?
Activepieces has 704+ integrations compared to n8n’s 400+. However, n8n includes an HTTP Request node that can integrate with any REST API, effectively making its integration count limitless. Activepieces wins on native breadth.
What are the pricing differences between Activepieces and n8n?
Activepieces Free: 1000 tasks/mo cloud. Pro: $10/mo for 10k tasks. Self-Hosted: free unlimited tasks. n8n Community: free self-hosted unlimited workflows. Starter: $20/mo for 5 workflows cloud. Pro: $50/mo unlimited workflows cloud. n8n’s execution-based pricing can be cheaper for complex workflows.
Which tool is easier for non-technical users?
Activepieces may be slightly easier for non-technical users due to its guided AI builder and gamification. However, both tools have visual builders. n8n’s advanced features (code nodes, expressions) require more technical skill.
Does n8n support enterprise SSO?
n8n Pro ($50/mo) includes sharing but not explicit SSO. SSO is available in self-hosted instances with custom configuration. Activepieces includes enterprise SSO and RBAC on Pro and self-hosted tiers.
How many workflows can I create on the free tiers?
Activepieces free tier allows 10 active flows. n8n Community (self-hosted) allows unlimited workflows; n8n cloud free is not offered—only Starter paid. So for free cloud, Activepieces wins.
Can I use custom code in workflows?
Yes, n8n has dedicated code nodes for JavaScript and Python with npm package support. Activepieces does not mention custom code nodes; its logic is built via visual branching and pieces.
Which tool has better community support?
Both are open-source with active communities. n8n has a larger community (more GitHub stars, more templates). Activepieces community is growing, but n8n’s 9,500+ templates give it an edge.
Last reviewed: May 12, 2026