n8n costs $15/mo.
These cost $0.
5 free alternatives to n8n, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for n8n is Flowise AI (Open Source Open Source). Across this category, 5 self-hostable tools are available (including Flowise AI and ActivePieces). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $900/year compared to n8n's $15/mo subscription.
The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed n8n.
n8n vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $15/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowise AI | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 55.6k | n8n vs Flowise AI → |
| ActivePieces | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 25.4k | n8n vs ActivePieces → |
| Automa | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 21.7k | n8n vs Automa → |
| Automatisch | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 14k | n8n vs Automatisch → |
| ByteChef | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 1.1k | n8n vs ByteChef → |
The picks
5 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Flowise AI
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host55.6knov 2026Open source platform for building AI agents, chatbots, and multi-agent systems using a drag-and-drop interface, with support for 100+ LLMs and RAG.
The catch vs n8nRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed n8n.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/flowiseai/flowise or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
ActivePieces
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host25.4knov 2026Open-source integration platform for seamless workflow automation. Connect apps, automate tasks, and boost productivity effortlessly.
The catch vs n8nRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed n8n.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/activepieces/activepieces or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 03
Automa
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host21.7knov 2026No-code platform for building AI agents and RPA workflows that automate repetitive business tasks across finance, HR, sales, and operations.
The catch vs n8nRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed UiPath.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/AutomaApp/automa or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 04
Automatisch
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host14knov 2026Self-hosted automation tool that connects your apps and services, enabling powerful integrations and efficient data flow across your ecosystem.
The catch vs n8nAutomatisch has far fewer connectors and much less transformation/retry polish than Albato, while also requiring self-hosting.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone the repository and run Docker Compose.
- setup
- Requires Docker, PostgreSQL/Redis configuration and secret management; the default sample login must be changed immediately.
- your data
- Application and credential data stays on the user's server in PostgreSQL, with Redis for queues/cache; credentials are encrypted.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 05
ByteChef
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host1.1knov 2026Create intelligent automation workflows combining AI agents with your favorite apps and services. Connect, automate, and scale your operations without complex coding.
The catch vs n8nRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed n8n.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/bytechefhq/bytechef or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
n8n Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 5 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · n8n open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to n8n?+
The top free alternative to n8n is Flowise AI (open source, Open Source). Open source platform for building AI agents, chatbots, and multi-agent systems using a drag-and-drop interface, with support for 100+ LLMs and RAG. Other popular n8n replacements include ActivePieces, Automa, Automatisch.
Can I self-host a free replacement for n8n?+
Yes. Of the 5 free alternatives to n8n, 5 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Flowise AI (Open Source), ActivePieces (Open Source), Automa (Open Source), Automatisch (AGPL-3.0), ByteChef (Open Source).
How much does switching from n8n to a free alternative save?+
n8n starts at $15/month per seat ($180/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Flowise AI saves $900 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own n8n clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for n8n is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for n8n or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 5 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Flowise AI.
What is the catch when switching from n8n to Flowise AI?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed n8n.
