ZapierAbout n8n
n8n gives technical teams a visual, node-based workflow editor with the escape hatch Zapier lacks: you can drop in custom JavaScript or Python at any step, so 400+ built-in integrations never become a hard ceiling on what a workflow can do.
Native AI and LLM nodes make it a genuine platform for building agents, not just connecting apps. It's source-available under a fair-code license and self-hostable, backed by one of the largest and most active open-source automation communities.
What makes it different
Build workflows by connecting nodes on a canvas, with a live preview of data at each step.
Purpose-built nodes for LLMs, agents and vector stores, not just bolted-on AI.
Drop JavaScript or Python into any workflow step when a built-in node isn't enough.
Run n8n on your own infrastructure under its fair-code license.
TypeScript
Node.js
Vue.js
DockerThe honest read
- Custom JS/Python code steps for full control
- Native AI/LLM nodes for building agents
- Generous self-hosted fair-code license
- Huge, active community
- 400+ built-in integrations
- Fair-code license restricts reselling n8n as a competing hosted service
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier for non-technical users
- Self-hosting at scale needs proper queue/worker configuration
- Some premium nodes are reserved for paid plans
Quick answers
Yes — n8n is free to self-host under its fair-code license. A paid cloud plan is also available.
n8n is source-available under a fair-code license, which allows self-hosting and modification but restricts offering it as a competing hosted service.
Yes — n8n has native nodes for LLMs, agents and vector stores, making it suitable for building AI workflows, not just app-to-app automation.
n8n lets you drop in custom code at any workflow step and is self-hostable, while Zapier is a closed-source, cloud-only SaaS with a simpler but more limited no-code model.
More open-source picks
No-code automation with an AI copilot, built to self-host.
Scheduling infrastructure — booking links you fully control.
Issue tracking and project planning with cycles and modules.
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