n8n vs Workato

Workato and n8n both offer visual workflow builders and AI agent capabilities, but they target different needs. Workato provides a comprehensive enterprise iPaaS with Agent Studio for building custom AI agents, MCP Gateway for secure agent connectivity, and Data Hub for master data management. It also includes IDP, RPA, low-code apps, B2B/EDI integration, and API management—all in one platform. n8n, by contrast, focuses on flexibility and control: its visual builder includes code nodes in JavaScript/Python, supports multiple AI models, RAG, multi-agent workflows, human-in-the-loop approvals, and over 500 integrations. Key differences: Workato emphasizes KPI-driven autonomous agents and unified orchestration across departments, while n8n offers self-hosting, Git-based version control, RBAC, SSO, audit logs, and log streaming for SIEM. n8n's open-source model gives full source code access, ideal for teams that need auditing and customization. Workato's MCP for AI agents is unique, but n8n's transparency and code-friendly approach appeal to DevOps and SecOps. Neither is purely no-code; Workato requires some learning, n8n expects technical users.

Workato follows a contact-sales, enterprise-based pricing model with no public tiers, making it costly and opaque for small teams. n8n offers a freemium model: a free self-hosted community edition (all features) and cloud plans starting at $20/month for the Pro tier with advanced execution history and higher limits. For enterprises, n8n's Enterprise plan adds SSO, RBAC, audit logs, and dedicated support. n8n is far more cost-transparent and accessible, especially for technical teams that can self-host. Workato's pricing is tailored for large enterprises, likely involving annual commitments and per-workload costs. The verdict: n8n wins on affordability and transparency; Workato demands a significant budget but delivers a complete enterprise stack.