n8n vs Power Automate
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | n8n | Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Developers building AI agents and custom automations, IT Ops, security teams, and companies needing self-hosted data compliance. | Microsoft ecosystem enterprises, business analysts in Office 365, and large organizations needing governance and RPA. |
| Pricing | Freemium: Community (self-host, free), Starter $20/mo (5 workflows), Pro $50/mo (unlimited workflows, sharing). Execution-based, not per user. | Freemium: Free (limited flows), Per User $15/user/mo (unlimited flows, premium connectors), Per Flow $100/flow/mo (RPA, process mining). Per-user and per-flow options. |
| Setup complexity | Moderate; requires technical skill for self-hosting (Docker, Git) but cloud version is quick. Visual builder with code nodes for advanced users. | Low for Microsoft users; prebuilt connectors and Copilot assist. RPA setup requires more effort for desktop flows and attended/unattended modes. |
| Strongest differentiator | Open-source, self-hostable, native AI agent nodes (OpenAI, LangChain, RAG) with full data control. | Deep integration with Microsoft 365, over 1,000 connectors, and RPA/process mining for enterprise process automation. |
| Integrations | 400+ pre-built nodes; HTTP Request for custom APIs; strong AI integrations (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, LangChain). | Over 1,000 API connectors; native Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Azure; custom API connectors; RPA for desktop apps. |
| Viability score | 80/100 – active open-source community, frequent releases, but newer than competitors. | 80/100 – backed by Microsoft, mature platform with enterprise support, but vendor lock-in risk. |
n8n vs Power Automate: n8n wins for teams that prioritize open-source flexibility, AI agent capabilities, and data sovereignty. Power Automate is the stronger choice for enterprises already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem who need low-code automation with RPA and governance. In 2026, n8n’s native AI nodes and self-hosting give technical teams more control, while Power Automate’s deep Microsoft integrations and process mining appeal to large organizations. Ultimately, n8n is best for developers and IT Ops, while Power Automate suits business analysts and Microsoft-centric enterprises.
Feature-by-feature
Core capabilities: n8n vs Power Automate
n8n provides a visual workflow builder with instant feedback, supporting complex logic through code nodes (JavaScript, Python) and a rich expression language. It includes native AI agent nodes for OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and LangChain, enabling RAG and multi-agent setups. Power Automate offers cloud flows (DPA) and desktop flows (RPA) with attended/unattended modes, plus AI Builder for document and image processing. n8n excels in custom, code-heavy automations and AI workflows, while Power Automate is stronger for enterprise-grade process automation including RPA. n8n wins for AI and custom code; Power Automate wins for RPA and enterprise process automation.
AI and model approach: n8n vs Power Automate
n8n directly integrates AI as first-class nodes (LLM, RAG, agent), allowing users to call OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and LangChain within workflows. This makes n8n a natural choice for building AI agents and question-answering bots over internal documents. Power Automate includes AI Builder for pre-built no-code AI models (e.g., form processing, object detection) and Copilot for natural language flow creation. However, it lacks native support for custom LLM chains or RAG without additional Azure services. n8n wins for custom AI/agent workflows; Power Automate wins for no-code AI features for common tasks.
Integrations and ecosystem: n8n vs Power Automate
n8n offers 400+ pre-built integrations (nodes), including Google Sheets, Slack, Airtable, PostgreSQL, and HTTP Request for custom APIs. It is open-source and can be extended via community nodes. Power Automate boasts over 1,000 API connectors, with deep native ties to Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Dynamics 365, Azure). It also supports custom API connectors and RPA for legacy desktop apps. Power Automate wins for Microsoft ecosystem breadth; n8n wins for non-Microsoft and self-hosted integrations.
Performance and scale: n8n vs Power Automate
n8n runs on your own infrastructure (self-hosted) or on n8n’s cloud, with pricing based on workflow executions. This can be cost-effective for high volumes, but performance depends on your server setup. Power Automate runs on Azure, offering enterprise-scale with 360-degree monitoring, governance, and work queues. It handles high concurrency with hosted RPA and process mining. Power Automate wins for enterprise scale and built-in governance; n8n wins for cost control and self-hosted scalability.
Developer experience and workflow: n8n vs Power Automate
n8n provides a visual builder with code nodes, Git version control (self-hosted), and 9,500+ templates. Developers can use JavaScript, Python, npm packages, and even switch to code when the visual builder is insufficient. Power Automate offers Copilot for AI-assisted flow creation and a low-code interface suitable for business analysts. It includes process and task mining to identify automation opportunities. n8n wins for developer flexibility and version control; Power Automate wins for low-code ease and process discovery.
Pricing compared
n8n pricing (2026)
n8n offers a freemium model: Community (free, self-hosted, unlimited workflows), Starter ($20/month, cloud, 5 workflows), and Pro ($50/month, cloud, unlimited workflows, sharing). Pricing is based on workflow executions, not steps or users, which can be more cost-effective for teams with many users but few workflows. Self-hosting eliminates per-execution costs, but you pay for your own infrastructure.
Power Automate pricing (2026)
Power Automate has a Free plan (limited flows, standard connectors). Paid tiers: Per User ($15/user/month, unlimited flows, premium connectors, AI Builder) and Per Flow ($100/flow/month, unlimited users, RPA, process mining). The Per User plan is best for individual-based automation, while Per Flow suits team-wide flows. RPA and process mining are only available on the Per Flow plan, which can be expensive for large deployments.
Value-per-dollar: n8n vs Power Automate
n8n is cheaper for technical teams that can self-host or need many users on few workflows. Power Automate's Per User plan ($15/user/mo) can add up quickly, but its Per Flow plan ($100/flow) may be better for large user bases. n8n wins for small to medium teams and AI-heavy use cases. Power Automate wins for large enterprises already on Microsoft 365, where per-user licensing aligns with existing subscriptions. In 2026, both platforms offer competitive pricing for their target audiences.
Who should pick which
- Technical team (3-5 developers) building AI agentsPick: n8n
n8n’s native AI nodes (OpenAI, LangChain) and self-hosting allow custom AI agents with full data control, at a low cost (Pro $50/mo).
- Enterprise IT team (50 users) automating Microsoft 365 workflowsPick: Power Automate
Power Automate deep integration with SharePoint, Teams, and Dynamics 365, plus governance features, makes it ideal for Microsoft-centric enterprises.
- Solo IT pro needing low-cost, self-hosted automationPick: n8n
n8n Community edition is free and self-hosted, with unlimited workflows and 400+ integrations, perfect for a single user automating IT tasks.
- Business analyst automating invoice processing with RPAPick: Power Automate
Power Automate’s AI Builder for document processing and desktop RPA (attended/unattended) directly address invoice automation, with Per Flow pricing.
- Security operations team enriching threat intelligencePick: n8n
n8n’s HTTP Request and code nodes enable pulling data from multiple threat sources, and AI nodes can summarize intelligence, all while keeping data on-premises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does n8n have a free tier?
Yes, n8n offers a free Community edition that you self-host (Docker, GitHub) with unlimited workflows and all features. No cloud hosting is included.
Can Power Automate be self-hosted?
No, Power Automate is a cloud-only SaaS platform from Microsoft. It does not offer on-premises installation or self-hosting. However, you can run desktop flows (RPA) on your own machines.
Which platform is easier to learn for a non-technical user?
Power Automate is generally easier for non-technical users, especially those already in Microsoft 365. Its Copilot and prebuilt templates simplify flow creation. n8n has a steeper learning curve due to its code and expression features, but the visual builder helps.
Can I build AI agents with Power Automate?
Power Automate includes AI Builder for no-code AI models (form processing, object detection) and Copilot for flow creation, but it does not natively support custom LLM calls, RAG, or multi-agent workflows. For these, you would need Azure services.
What integrations does n8n have for Microsoft apps?
n8n integrates with Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, and Azure via dedicated nodes or HTTP Request. However, it has fewer native Microsoft connectors than Power Automate.
Does Power Automate support RPA?
Yes, Power Automate includes desktop flows (RPA) with attended and unattended modes, hosted RPA on Azure, and integration with legacy desktop apps. This feature is available only on the Per Flow plan ($100/flow/month).
Which platform is better for a small team on a budget?
n8n is better for small teams due to its free self-hosted option and low-cost cloud plans ($20–$50/mo) without per-user fees. Power Automate’s per-user pricing can be expensive for small teams.
Can I migrate from Power Automate to n8n?
Migration is possible but manual. n8n supports HTTP Request nodes to replicate Power Automate connectors, but you’ll need to rebuild workflows. For simple flows, n8n’s templates can help speed up the process.
What are the main differences in pricing models?
n8n charges per workflow execution (or self-host free), so cost scales with automation runs. Power Automate charges per user or per flow monthly, making it predictable but potentially costly with many users.
Does n8n support process mining or task mining?
No, n8n does not include process mining or task mining features. Power Automate offers both as part of its Per Flow plan, enabling discovery of automation opportunities.
Last reviewed: May 12, 2026