# 5 Best Open Source Alternatives for n8n

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/n8n
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Looking for the best open source alternative for n8n? Compare 5 verified free and open source alternatives to n8n (Flowise AI, ActivePieces, Automa) with license details, self-hosting requirements, and practical trade-offs.

## n8n Overview & Subscription Cost
- **Product**: n8n
- **Category**: [automation](https://caniforkit.com/category/automation)
- **Paid Subscription Price**: $15/month per seat
- **1-Seat Annualized Cost**: $180/year
- **5-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $900/year
- **10-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $1,800/year
- **Can I Vibe-Code / Rebuild It Myself?**: NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens)
- **Rebuild Verdict**: 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.

## Verified Free & Open Source Alternatives

| Alternative | Type | License | Runs On | GitHub Stars | Head-to-Head |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Flowise AI](https://caniforkit.com/fork/flowise-ai) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 55.6k | [Compare vs n8n](https://caniforkit.com/vs/n8n-vs-flowise-ai) |
| [ActivePieces](https://caniforkit.com/fork/activepieces) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 25.4k | [Compare vs n8n](https://caniforkit.com/vs/n8n-vs-activepieces) |
| [Automa](https://caniforkit.com/fork/automa) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 21.7k | [Compare vs n8n](https://caniforkit.com/vs/n8n-vs-automa) |
| [Automatisch](https://caniforkit.com/fork/automatisch) | Open Source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 14k | [Compare vs n8n](https://caniforkit.com/vs/n8n-vs-automatisch) |
| [ByteChef](https://caniforkit.com/fork/bytechef) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 1.1k | [Compare vs n8n](https://caniforkit.com/vs/n8n-vs-bytechef) |

## In-Depth Alternative Profiles

### Flowise AI
- **Fork Page**: [Flowise AI Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/flowise-ai)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [n8n vs Flowise AI](https://caniforkit.com/vs/n8n-vs-flowise-ai)
- **Official Website**: https://flowiseai.com/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/flowiseai/flowise
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 55.6k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: 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.
- **The Catch vs n8n**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed n8n.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/flowiseai/flowise or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### ActivePieces
- **Fork Page**: [ActivePieces Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/activepieces)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [n8n vs ActivePieces](https://caniforkit.com/vs/n8n-vs-activepieces)
- **Official Website**: https://activepieces.com
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/activepieces/activepieces
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 25.4k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: Open-source integration platform for seamless workflow automation. Connect apps, automate tasks, and boost productivity effortlessly.
- **The Catch vs n8n**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed n8n.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/activepieces/activepieces or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### Automa
- **Fork Page**: [Automa Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/automa)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [n8n vs Automa](https://caniforkit.com/vs/n8n-vs-automa)
- **Official Website**: https://www.automa.site/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/automaapp/automa
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 21.7k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: No-code platform for building AI agents and RPA workflows that automate repetitive business tasks across finance, HR, sales, and operations.
- **The Catch vs n8n**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed UiPath.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/AutomaApp/automa or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### Automatisch
- **Fork Page**: [Automatisch Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/automatisch)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [n8n vs Automatisch](https://caniforkit.com/vs/n8n-vs-automatisch)
- **Official Website**: https://automatisch.io/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/automatisch/automatisch/
- **License**: AGPL-3.0
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 14k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: Self-hosted automation tool that connects your apps and services, enabling powerful integrations and efficient data flow across your ecosystem.
- **The Catch vs n8n**: Automatisch has far fewer connectors and much less transformation/retry polish than Albato, while also requiring self-hosting.
- **Installation**: Clone the repository and run Docker Compose.
- **Setup**: Requires Docker, PostgreSQL/Redis configuration and secret management; the default sample login must be changed immediately.
- **Data Storage**: Application and credential data stays on the user's server in PostgreSQL, with Redis for queues/cache; credentials are encrypted.

### ByteChef
- **Fork Page**: [ByteChef Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/bytechef)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [n8n vs ByteChef](https://caniforkit.com/vs/n8n-vs-bytechef)
- **Official Website**: https://www.bytechef.io
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/bytechefhq/bytechef
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 1.1k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: Create intelligent automation workflows combining AI agents with your favorite apps and services. Connect, automate, and scale your operations without complex coding.
- **The Catch vs n8n**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed n8n.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/bytechefhq/bytechef or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### 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.

### 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.

### What is the catch when switching away from n8n?
While Flowise AI replaces core n8n features without subscription fees, the real-world trade-off is: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed n8n.

## Related

- [automation Software Category Hub](https://caniforkit.com/category/automation)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Self-Hosted Software Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)