Is activepieces or n8n better?

Neither is universally better. activepieces is the stronger fit for Self-hosted Zapier-style automation extensible with type-safe TypeScript pieces; n8n for Self-hostable workflow automation with native AI agent nodes and 400+ integrations. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

Is activepieces or n8n free?

activepieces is free to run and self-host; n8n is free to run and self-host. Both are free to self-host — you only pay for the infrastructure and any model or API usage.

Which is more popular, activepieces or n8n?

By GitHub stars — a proxy for open-source adoption — n8n is ahead (201k vs 24k). Stars measure attention, not necessarily the better fit for you.

Workflow & Productivity · Head-to-head

activepieces vs n8n

activepieces and n8n are both workflow & productivity. activepieces is AI Agents & MCPs & AI Workflow Automation • (~400 MCP servers for AI agents) • AI Automation / AI Agent with MCPs • AI Workflows & AI Agents • MCPs for AI Agents, while n8n is fair-code workflow automation platform with native AI capabilities. Combine visual building with custom code, self-host or cloud, 400+ integrations. Here's an independent, side-by-side look at how they compare — and which fits.

activepieces

Platform· Open source

AI Agents & MCPs & AI Workflow Automation • (~400 MCP servers for AI agents) • AI Automation / AI Agent with MCPs • AI Workflows & AI Agents • MCPs for AI Agents

Visit activepieces →

n8n

Platform· Open source

Fair-code workflow automation platform with native AI capabilities. Combine visual building with custom code, self-host or cloud, 400+ integrations.

Visit n8n →

Bottom line

activepieces and n8n are both open-source workflow & productivity you can self-host for free. n8n has wider GitHub adoption — 201k stars vs 24k. Neither is universally better — pick by fit.

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Side by side

Spec	activepieces	n8n
Type	Platform	Platform
Model	Open source	Open source
Pricing	Open source	Open source
GitHub stars	23,834	200,927
Language	TypeScript	TypeScript
Last activity	Aug 2026	Aug 2026

Key differences

n8n has wider GitHub adoption — 201k stars vs 24k.

Choose activepieces if

Self-hosted Zapier-style automation extensible with type-safe TypeScript pieces.

Choose n8n if

Self-hostable workflow automation with native AI agent nodes and 400+ integrations.

About activepieces

AI Agents & MCPs & AI Workflow Automation • (~400 MCP servers for AI agents) • AI Automation / AI Agent with MCPs • AI Workflows & AI Agents • MCPs for AI Agents

Full activepieces profile →

About n8n

Fair-code workflow automation platform with native AI capabilities. Combine visual building with custom code, self-host or cloud, 400+ integrations.

Full n8n profile →

Frequently asked

What's the main difference between activepieces and n8n?: n8n has wider GitHub adoption — 201k stars vs 24k.
Is activepieces or n8n better?: Neither is universally better. activepieces is the stronger fit for Self-hosted Zapier-style automation extensible with type-safe TypeScript pieces; n8n for Self-hostable workflow automation with native AI agent nodes and 400+ integrations. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.
Is activepieces or n8n free?: activepieces is free to run and self-host; n8n is free to run and self-host. Both are free to self-host — you only pay for the infrastructure and any model or API usage.
Which is more popular, activepieces or n8n?: By GitHub stars — a proxy for open-source adoption — n8n is ahead (201k vs 24k). Stars measure attention, not necessarily the better fit for you.

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