# Beam AI vs n8n
_Workflow & Productivity · independent comparison_

> Beam AI and n8n take different routes to the same job: one is a commercial product, the other open-source and self-hostable. Choose based on whether you want a managed experience or full control.

## Side by side

**Beam AI**
- Paid product · Platform
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/beam-ai) · [official](https://beam.ai)

**n8n**
- Open source · Platform · 199k★ · TypeScript · active today
- Best for: Self-hostable workflow automation with native AI agent nodes and 400+ integrations.
- Avoid if: You want a zero-maintenance managed tool with no infrastructure.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/n8n) · [official](https://n8n.io)

## Key differences

- Beam AI is a commercial product; n8n is open-source and self-hostable.
- Pricing model differs — Beam AI is paid product, n8n is open source.

## Which to choose

**Choose Beam AI if:** you want a managed, commercially-supported product.

**Choose n8n if:** Self-hostable workflow automation with native AI agent nodes and 400+ integrations.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between Beam AI and n8n?**
Beam AI is a commercial product; n8n is open-source and self-hostable.

**Is Beam AI or n8n better?**
Neither is universally better. Beam AI is the stronger fit for a managed, commercially-supported product; 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 Beam AI or n8n free?**
Beam AI is a paid product; n8n is free to run and self-host.

**Which is more popular, Beam AI or n8n?**
We rank open-source projects by GitHub adoption, but at least one of these is a commercial product and stars don't measure commercial adoption — so compare them on capabilities and pricing instead.

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Source: [Agent Search Engine](https://agentsearchengine.app) — https://agentsearchengine.app/compare/beam-ai-vs-n8n