Shortlist by what you need
Start here if you know why you are leaving n8n.
Want the closest match?
ActivepiecesMost similar to n8n in what it does, its category and its price.
Visit (opens Activepieces in a new tab)Need a free plan?
PipedreamHas a free plan, rated 4.6 out of 5.
Visit (opens Pipedream in a new tab)Want the lowest price?
LatenodeFrom $19/mo, the lowest starting price here.
Visit (opens Latenode in a new tab)Want the best rated?
GumloopRated 4.5 out of 5 in our review, against 4.4 for n8n.
Visit (opens Gumloop in a new tab)
At a glance
Green means better than n8n, red means worse. Prices are starting prices per month.
| Tool | Our rating | Starts at | Free plan | Best for | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 n8nBaseline | 4.4 | Free | Yes | Source-available and self-hostable, favored by developers | |
| Activepieces | 4.5+0.1 | $16/mo | Yes | Open-source, self-hostable, built for teams wary of vendor lock-in | vs n8n |
 Flowise | 4.3−0.1 | $35/mo | Yes | The original drag-and-drop canvas for LangChain components | vs n8n |
| Pipedream | 4.6+0.2 | $29/mo | Yes | Real code inline, built by and for developers | vs n8n |
| Latenode | 4.4Same | $19/mo | Yes | No-code building with a real code editor available mid-workflow | vs n8n |
 Dify | 4.4Same | $59/mo | Yes | A fuller LLMOps platform, not just a flow visualizer | vs n8n |
 elastic.io | 3.9−0.5 | $25/mo | No | Low-code integration platform connecting cloud and on-premise applications with AI-assisted data mapping. | vs n8n |
 Langflow | 4.2−0.2 | Free | Yes | DataStax-owned, but still free, open, and framework-agnostic | vs n8n |
| Gumloop | 4.5+0.1 | $37/mo | No | No-code building blocks with AI reasoning baked into each node | vs n8n |
The alternatives in detail
In order of how closely each one matches n8n.
Activepieces
4.5$16/mo
vs n8n+0.1
Open-source, self-hostable, built for teams wary of vendor lock-in.
- Fully open-source, self-hostable automation engine
- Extensible "pieces" framework for custom integrations
- AI-generated starting workflows from plain-language descriptions
Full self-hosting avoids vendor lock-in and per-task pricing anxiety
Self-hosting requires real infrastructure and maintenance effort
Flowise
4.3$35/mo
vs n8n−0.1
The original drag-and-drop canvas for LangChain components.
- Drag-and-drop canvas mapped directly to LangChain components
- Fully open-source and self-hostable
- One of the earliest visual LangChain builders
Direct mapping to LangChain concepts suits developers already using it
LangChain-specific mapping is less intuitive for those unfamiliar with it
Pipedream
4.6$29/mo
vs n8n+0.2
Real code inline, built by and for developers.
- Inline Node.js, Python, Go, and Bash code in any workflow step
- No-code options available alongside full code access
- Built specifically with developers as the primary audience
Genuine first-class code access, not a limited escape hatch
Less approachable for non-technical users than pure no-code platforms
Latenode
4.4$19/mo
vs n8nSame
No-code building with a real code editor available mid-workflow.
- Visual no-code workflow builder
- Built-in JavaScript code editor within any step
- Hybrid no-code and low-code workflow design
Genuine code access removes no-code platforms' usual ceiling
Code editor requires real JavaScript knowledge to use effectively
Dify
4.4$59/mo
vs n8nSame
A fuller LLMOps platform, not just a flow visualizer.
- Visual builder for RAG pipelines and agent workflows
- Built-in production observability and usage monitoring
- One-click deployment to API or embeddable chat widget
Covers the full lifecycle from building to deploying to monitoring
Broader scope adds complexity versus simpler single-purpose builders
elastic.io
3.9$25/mo
vs n8n−0.5
Low-code integration platform connecting cloud and on-premise applications with AI-assisted data mapping.
- 250+ pre-built connectors for SaaS, ERP, and on-premise systems
- AI-powered data mapping and processing
- Visual, low-code workflow builder
250+ connector library covers most common enterprise systems out of the box
No perpetual free plan, only a time-limited trial
Langflow
4.2Free
vs n8n−0.2
DataStax-owned, but still free, open, and framework-agnostic.
- Open-source visual builder for LangChain-based RAG and agent apps
- Acquired by DataStax in 2024, remains free and open
- Integration with DataStax Astra DB available optionally
Free and open source despite being corporately owned
Corporate ownership raises long-term independence questions for some users
Gumloop
4.5$37/mo
vs n8n+0.1
No-code building blocks with AI reasoning baked into each node.
- AI reasoning nodes alongside traditional automation actions
- Template marketplace for common workflows
- No-code visual workflow builder
AI-native nodes handle judgment calls, not just mechanical steps
Newer platform with a smaller integration library than established competitors
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is n8n free?
n8n has a free plan.
What is the best free alternative to n8n?
Pipedream is the highest-rated alternative here with a free plan (4.6 out of 5). Other free options: Activepieces, Latenode, Dify.
What is the cheapest alternative to n8n?
Among paid plans, Activepieces has the lowest starting price (from $16/mo). If you need it free, start with Pipedream.
How did you pick these alternatives?
We match tools on what they do, their category and their price, using the details in our directory. Ratings come from our reviews and reader reviews.