n8n vs activepieces

A comprehensive comparison to help you choose the right AI tool in 2026.

Our Pick

n8n

n8n scores higher with a rating of 8.5/10

Feature Comparison

Featuren8nactivepieces
Rating8.5/107.8/10
Pricing Modelfreemiumfreemium
Starting Price$20/moFree
Free TrialYesYes
Founded20192022

n8n

Open-source workflow automation tool with a visual editor and self-hosting option.

Pros

  • + Free self-hosted option
  • + Open-source with active community
  • + 400+ integrations
  • + Custom JavaScript/Python nodes
  • + No per-task pricing on self-hosted

Cons

  • - Steeper learning curve than Zapier
  • - Self-hosting requires DevOps knowledge
  • - Cloud plan can get expensive at scale

activepieces

Open-source no-code business automation platform built for teams.

Pros

  • + Completely free self-hosted version
  • + Clean and intuitive UI
  • + Active open-source community
  • + TypeScript SDK for custom pieces
  • + Generous free cloud tier

Cons

  • - Smaller integration library than Zapier
  • - Newer platform with less documentation
  • - Enterprise features still maturing

n8n vs activepieces: The Bottom Line

Both n8n and activepieces are powerful AI tools, but they serve slightly different needs. n8n excels at free self-hosted option, while activepieces stands out for completely free self-hosted version.

Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and the features that matter most to your workflow.