AutoGen vs n8n
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | AutoGen | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (open-source MIT) | €20/mo (cloud starter); free self-hosted |
| Ease of Use | Programmatic framework with optional UI | Visual workflow builder with code support |
| Best For | Researchers, devs building multi-agent systems | IT Ops, SecOps, developers needing integrations |
| Key Strength | Flexible agent orchestration, any LLM | 500+ integrations, AI evaluation, A2A protocol |
| Deployment | Self-hosted (requires Python, Docker for sandbox) | Cloud or on-prem (Docker) |
| Support | Community-driven (Microsoft maintenance) | Community + paid support tiers |
Choose n8n if you need a visual, production-ready automation platform with 500+ integrations and AI agent capabilities including the new A2A protocol. Choose AutoGen if you're a developer or researcher deeply customizing multi-agent orchestrations with any LLM and don't require pre-built integrations or a polished UI.
Feature-by-feature
n8n offers a visual workflow builder with JavaScript/Python nodes, 500+ pre-built integrations (Slack, Salesforce, OpenAI, etc.), AI agent builder with multi-agent and RAG, human-in-the-loop approvals, AI evaluation, and the recently introduced Agent-to-Agent (A2A) protocol for cross-agent orchestration. It also includes Git-based version control, RBAC, SSO, audit logs, and on-prem deployment. AutoGen is a programmatic framework focused on multi-agent conversation orchestration, allowing flexible agent role definition, any LLM integration, and human-in-the-loop. It has a visual prototyping UI (AutoGen Studio) but lacks pre-built integrations and advanced enterprise features like RBAC or audit logs. n8n's new community node for data leak prevention adds security. AutoGen excels in agent customization and code execution sandboxing (Docker), but requires more manual setup.
Pricing compared
n8n operates on a freemium model: a free self-hosted Community Edition (unlimited executions, no cloud) and cloud tiers starting at €20/month (5k executions). Enterprise plans with SSO, audit logs, and priority support are available. Pricing is based on executions, not users or steps. AutoGen is completely free and open-source under MIT license, with no paid tiers. However, self-hosting AutoGen requires infrastructure costs (e.g., LLM API fees, Docker for sandbox). For those who want a fully managed solution with support, n8n's cloud tiers provide convenience, while AutoGen's free framework gives full control but demands technical overhead.
Who should pick which
- IT Ops ManagerPick: n8n
Needs to automate onboarding, incident response with 500+ integrations, human approvals, and audit logs—n8n's visual workflow, RBAC, and SSO fit perfectly.
- AI ResearcherPick: AutoGen
Requires flexible multi-agent orchestration with any LLM, custom conversation patterns, and tool use—AutoGen's programmatic framework is ideal for experimentation.
- SecOps EngineerPick: n8n
Enrich threat intelligence and orchestrate SOAR with community data leak prevention, encrypted secrets, and on-prem deployment for data privacy.
- Developer Building AI AssistantsPick: n8n
Wants to quickly build multi-agent RAG workflows with the new A2A protocol, pre-built integrations, and code nodes for custom logic, without deep LLM orchestration complexity.
- Startup CTOPick: n8n
Needs a scalable, self-hosted automation platform with AI capabilities, version control, and no vendor lock-in—n8n's Community Edition offers free on-prem deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is n8n truly open-source?
Yes, n8n is released under the Sustainable Use License, which is source-available and restricts competitive use, but free for internal use.
Can AutoGen integrate with external APIs like Slack or Salesforce?
AutoGen does not have pre-built connectors; you must write custom Python code to integrate with external services via LLM tool calls.
Which tool works better for non-technical users?
n8n's visual workflow builder with drag-and-drop nodes and code-optional design is more accessible. AutoGen requires Python coding and understanding of agent architectures.
Does n8n support human-in-the-loop approvals?
Yes, n8n includes dedicated nodes for human approval and guardrails, allowing pauses in workflows for manual input.
Can AutoGen run on-premises?
Yes, AutoGen is self-hosted and open-source. You can run it locally or on your own servers, but it requires Python and optionally Docker for code execution sandboxing.
What is the A2A protocol in n8n?
Announced in June 2026, the Agent-to-Agent (A2A) protocol enables cross-agent communication, allowing multiple n8n agents to orchestrate tasks at scale.
Does AutoGen have any visual interface?
Yes, AutoGen Studio provides a drag-and-drop UI for prototyping multi-agent workflows, but it's designed for rapid iteration, not production deployment.
Which tool is better for building AI agents?
n8n offers a broader platform with integrations, AI evaluation, and A2A, ideal for production agents that interact with business tools. AutoGen gives deeper control for research-heavy multi-agent systems.
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Last reviewed: June 30, 2026