Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.
Lower starting price
Not comparable
Not comparable: Flowable does not list a price
Free plan
Tie
Both have one
Higher rating
n8n
4.2 against 4.4
Same job?
Yes
Both are Automation tools
Side by side
Compared on
Flowable
n8n
Our rating
4.2
4.4Better
Starts at
Free
Free
Free plan
Yes
Yes
Category
Automation
Automation
Plans
Free
Community EditionFree, self-hosted
Starter€24/mo, or €20/mo billed yearly
Pro€60/mo, or €50/mo billed yearly
Business€800/mo, or €667/mo billed yearly
EnterpriseQuote only
Key features
BPMN 2.0, CMMN, and DMN engines for modeling processes, case management, and decision logic
Open-source Community Edition under Apache License 2.0
Low-code app builder for forms and task UIs
Agentic automation for combining AI agents with deterministic workflow steps
Built-in analytics and process-monitoring dashboards
Source-available under a fair-code license, self-hostable
Function nodes for inline JavaScript or Python code
Node-based visual workflow builder
Free, unlimited self-hosting
Popular specifically among developers and technical teams
Pros
Built on open standards (BPMN/CMMN/DMN), reducing vendor lock-in
Free, permissively licensed core engine available for production use
Handles complex, long-running case management alongside standard workflows
Self-hosting avoids per-task pricing anxiety at scale
Inline code nodes give real flexibility beyond visual blocks alone
Strong reputation and active community among technical users
Cons
Enterprise pricing is not published, requiring a sales conversation for cost estimates
Steeper learning curve than no-code automation tools aimed at business users
Full enterprise feature set (high availability, advanced analytics) requires the paid edition
Fair-code license is more restrictive than fully permissive open source
Self-hosting requires real infrastructure and maintenance
Steeper learning curve for non-technical users than simpler tools
Company
Flowable, founded 2016
n8n GmbH, founded 2019
Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260810. Check the vendor before you buy.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is Flowable better than n8n?
In our reviews Flowable scores 4.2 and n8n scores 4.4. The better pick depends on the job. Flowable: Open-source business process automation platform for modeling, running, and monitoring enterprise workflows. n8n: Source-available and self-hostable, favored by developers.
n8n
Flowable
