8 Best n8n Alternatives for Workflow Automation in 2026

n8n is a powerful open-source automation platform — but it's not the right fit for everyone. Maybe you've hit execution limits on n8n Cloud, found the self-hosting overhead too heavy, or simply want a platform that bundles more than just workflows. Whatever your reason, you're not alone. Thousands of teams are actively searching for n8n alternatives that better match their budget, technical skills, or integration needs. In this guide, we break down the 8 best n8n alternatives for 2026, complete with verified pricing, feature comparisons, and honest evaluations to help you pick the right tool.

Quick Comparison: All n8n Alternatives at a Glance

Before we dive deep into each platform, here's a side-by-side overview of every n8n alternative we evaluated. Use this table to quickly compare pricing, integration counts, and ideal use cases.

Tool	Starting Price	Free Tier	Open Source	Integrations	Best For
Serenities AI Flow	Free / $24/mo	✅ Yes	No	Growing	All-in-one platform (apps + automation + database)
Zapier	Free / $19.99/mo	✅ Yes (100 tasks/mo)	No	8,000+	Non-technical users, massive app catalog
Make (Integromat)	Free / $9/mo	✅ Yes (1,000 credits/mo)	No	3,000+	Visual builders, complex branching logic
Activepieces	Free / $5/flow/mo	✅ Yes (10 active flows)	✅ MIT License	270+ contributors	Open-source enthusiasts, self-hosters
Power Automate	Check microsoft.com	Included in some M365 plans	No	1,000+	Microsoft 365 shops
Pipedream	Free tier available	✅ Yes	Partially	2,400+	Developers who want code-first workflows
Apache Airflow	Free (open source)	✅ Completely free	✅ Apache 2.0	Providers/operators	Data engineering, ETL pipelines
Tray.io	Custom pricing	❌ No	No	600+	Enterprise teams with complex needs

Now let's look at each n8n alternative in detail — starting with the platform we think offers the best overall value for most teams in 2026.

#1: Serenities AI Flow — The All-in-One Platform That Replaces Your Entire Stack

If you're looking for an n8n alternative that goes far beyond workflow automation, Serenities AI is the standout pick for 2026. While most tools on this list handle one thing well — automation — Serenities AI bundles apps, automation (Flow), database, storage, and MCP (Model Context Protocol) support into a single integrated platform. Instead of stitching together n8n for workflows, Airtable for databases, and Vercel for apps, you get everything in one place.

Why Serenities AI Flow Stands Out

The core differentiator is the BYOS (Bring Your Own Subscription) model. Most automation platforms charge you for AI usage on top of your workflow costs. Serenities AI lets you plug in your existing OpenAI, Anthropic, or other AI subscriptions directly — meaning you're not paying a markup on every AI call. This makes it 10–25x cheaper for AI-heavy workflows compared to platforms that bundle (and mark up) AI credits.

Here's what the platform includes beyond automation:

Flow (Automation): Visual workflow builder with triggers, conditions, loops, and AI steps. Similar to what n8n offers, but integrated with your app data and database.
Apps: Build internal tools and customer-facing applications without separate hosting. Your automation workflows can interact directly with app data.
Database: Built-in relational database — no need for a separate Airtable or Supabase. Your workflows read and write to the same database your apps use.
Storage: File storage included. Upload, manage, and serve files without third-party services.
MCP Support: Native Model Context Protocol support means your AI agents can interact with Serenities AI as a tool provider — a feature that's becoming critical as agentic workflows take off in 2026.

Serenities AI Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	$0	Apps + automation + database + storage
Starter	$24/mo	Increased limits, priority support
Pro	$49/mo	Advanced features, BYOS AI
Business	$99/mo	Team collaboration, advanced integrations
Enterprise	$249/mo	Full platform access, dedicated support

Who Should Choose Serenities AI Over n8n?

Serenities AI is ideal if you want to consolidate your tech stack. Instead of paying separately for n8n (automation) + Airtable (database) + Vercel (apps) + S3 (storage), you get one bill. Teams building AI-powered internal tools will see the biggest savings thanks to the BYOS model. If you're currently spending $50+/month on n8n Cloud and another $20+ on a database, switching to Serenities AI could cut your total cost in half while giving you more capabilities.

Try Serenities AI free at serenitiesai.com

#2: Zapier — The Easiest Automation Tool With 8,000+ Integrations

Zapier remains the most well-known name in workflow automation, and for good reason. With over 8,000 app integrations, it has the widest connector library of any platform on this list — including n8n. If you need to connect obscure SaaS tools, Zapier almost certainly supports them.

What Makes Zapier a Strong n8n Alternative

Where n8n appeals to developers with its node-based editor and self-hosting option, Zapier targets the opposite end of the spectrum: business users who want zero-code automation. Creating a "Zap" (Zapier's term for a workflow) takes minutes. You pick a trigger app, choose an action app, map the fields, and you're done. No server setup, no Docker, no debugging JSON payloads.

In 2026, Zapier has expanded well beyond basic two-step automations. The platform now includes:

Tables: A built-in database for storing and managing structured data directly within your workflows.
Canvas: Visual workflow planning and collaboration tool.
Forms: Create input forms that feed directly into your Zaps.
AI Fields: Use AI to transform, classify, or generate data within your workflows (available on paid plans).
MCP Support: Zapier now supports Model Context Protocol, allowing AI agents to trigger and interact with Zaps programmatically.

Zapier Pricing

Plan	Price	Key Features
Free	$0	100 tasks/mo, two-step Zaps, unlimited Zaps/Tables/Forms
Professional	From $19.99/mo (annual)	Multi-step Zaps, webhooks, AI fields
Team	From $69/mo (annual)	25 users, shared Zaps, SAML SSO
Enterprise	Contact sales	Unlimited users, advanced admin, dedicated support

Zapier vs. n8n: The Key Trade-Off

Zapier is significantly easier to use than n8n, but that ease comes at a cost — literally. At high task volumes, Zapier gets expensive fast. n8n's execution-based pricing tends to be more economical for teams running tens of thousands of tasks per month. But if you value simplicity and breadth of integrations over raw cost efficiency, Zapier is hard to beat.

Best for: Non-technical teams, marketing ops, small businesses that need broad integrations without technical overhead.

#3: Make (formerly Integromat) — The Visual Builder With Credit-Based Pricing

Make sits in a sweet spot between Zapier's simplicity and n8n's power. Its visual scenario builder uses a unique drag-and-drop canvas that lets you see data flowing between modules in real time. For users who find n8n's interface too developer-oriented but Zapier too limiting, Make is often the perfect middle ground.

Why Teams Switch From n8n to Make

Make's visual interface is genuinely excellent. Each workflow (called a "scenario") is displayed as a flowchart of connected modules. You can see branching logic, error handlers, and data transformations mapped out visually — something n8n does well too, but Make's design feels more polished and intuitive for less technical users.

The platform supports 3,000+ app integrations and includes some cutting-edge features for 2026:

AI Agents (Beta): Build AI-powered agents that can make decisions within your scenarios.
MCP Server Support: Connect Make scenarios to AI agents using Model Context Protocol.
Make Code App: Write custom modules using JavaScript when pre-built integrations don't cover your use case.
Priority Execution: Pro and above plans get priority processing, which matters for time-sensitive workflows.

Make Pricing

Plan	Price	Credits/mo	Key Features
Free	$0	1,000	2 active scenarios, 15-min interval, 5MB files
Core	$9/mo	10,000	Unlimited scenarios, 1-min interval, 100MB files
Pro	$16/mo	10,000	Priority execution, custom variables, full-text search
Teams	$29/mo	10,000	Team roles, scenario templates
Enterprise	Custom	Custom	24/7 support, custom functions, on-prem agent

Note: Credits scale via slider from 10k to 8M+. Annual billing saves 15%+.

Make vs. n8n: The Key Trade-Off

Make's credit-based pricing can be tricky to predict. Each operation in a scenario costs a different number of credits, and complex scenarios with many modules burn through credits fast. n8n's execution-based model is simpler to calculate. However, Make's lower entry price ($9/mo vs. n8n's €20/mo Starter) and superior visual builder make it attractive for teams that prioritize design and usability.

Best for: Marketing teams, operations managers, and anyone who wants powerful automation with an intuitive visual interface.

#4: Activepieces — The Open-Source Alternative With an MIT License

If the reason you're looking for n8n alternatives is that you want a truly open-source platform with a permissive license, Activepieces deserves a close look. While n8n is open source, it uses a custom "Sustainable Use" license that restricts certain commercial uses. Activepieces uses the MIT license — one of the most permissive open-source licenses available — meaning you can self-host, modify, and even redistribute it with minimal restrictions.

What Makes Activepieces Different

Activepieces has grown rapidly, with 270+ contributors building out its ecosystem. The platform takes a unique approach to pricing: instead of charging per execution or per credit, the cloud-hosted version charges $5 per active flow per month with unlimited runs. This means if you have 5 active workflows, you pay $25/month regardless of how many times they execute — a pricing model that's far more predictable than n8n's execution-based tiers.

Key features include:

AI Agents: Build autonomous AI agents that can reason and take actions within your workflows.
Unlimited MCP Servers: Full Model Context Protocol support for connecting AI tools.
Unlimited Tables: Built-in structured data storage — similar to what Zapier and Serenities AI offer.
Self-Hosted Community Edition: Run it on your own infrastructure with full MIT license freedom.
10 Free Active Flows: The free tier is generous enough for small teams and personal projects.

Activepieces Pricing

Plan	Price	Key Features
Standard (Free)	$0 (10 free active flows)	Unlimited runs, AI agents, MCP servers, tables
Standard (Paid)	$5/active flow/mo	Unlimited runs, all features included
Unlimited	Custom pricing	SSO, RBAC, audit logs, team projects
Community (Self-Hosted)	Free forever	MIT licensed, full source code access

Activepieces vs. n8n: The Key Trade-Off

Activepieces is newer and has a smaller integration library than n8n. n8n's community edition is more battle-tested with 175,964 GitHub stars and years of production use. However, Activepieces' MIT license is a genuine advantage for businesses that need maximum flexibility with their self-hosted deployment. If license freedom matters to your legal team, Activepieces wins this comparison handily.

Best for: Open-source advocates, teams with strict licensing requirements, and budget-conscious teams who want predictable per-flow pricing.

#5: Power Automate — The Natural Choice for Microsoft Shops

If your organization runs on Microsoft 365, Power Automate is the n8n alternative that requires the least friction to adopt. It's deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem — connecting natively with Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Dynamics 365, Excel, and every other Microsoft product. For teams already paying for M365, Power Automate may already be included in your subscription.

Why Power Automate Works for Microsoft Teams

The primary advantage of Power Automate is its native integration depth with Microsoft products. While n8n, Zapier, and Make all offer Microsoft connectors, they can't match the level of integration that Power Automate provides. Features like triggering flows from within Teams, processing SharePoint document libraries, or automating Dynamics 365 CRM actions are seamless in Power Automate and often clunky through third-party connectors.

Power Automate also offers capabilities that most n8n alternatives lack:

Desktop Flows (RPA): Automate legacy desktop applications using robotic process automation. Record mouse clicks and keyboard inputs to automate software that doesn't have an API.
AI Builder: Built-in AI models for document processing, text classification, object detection, and more — without needing an external AI subscription.
Process Mining: Analyze your existing business processes to identify automation opportunities before you build workflows.
Approval Workflows: Built-in approval system that integrates with Teams and Outlook — no custom coding required.

Power Automate Pricing

Power Automate is included in some Microsoft 365 plans with limited functionality. For full capabilities, standalone licenses are available. Check microsoft.com for current Power Automate pricing, as Microsoft frequently updates its licensing structure.

Power Automate vs. n8n: The Key Trade-Off

Power Automate is a walled garden. It works beautifully within Microsoft's ecosystem but becomes cumbersome when you need to connect non-Microsoft tools. n8n's open architecture and broad integration support make it far more flexible for heterogeneous tech stacks. If you're a Microsoft-first org, Power Automate is the obvious choice. If you use a mix of tools from different vendors, look elsewhere.

Best for: Organizations deeply invested in the Microsoft ecosystem who want seamless automation across M365, Dynamics, Azure, and desktop applications.

#6: Pipedream — The Developer-First Workflow Platform

If you loved n8n's developer focus but want something even more code-centric, Pipedream is your platform. Pipedream treats workflows as code — you can write steps in Node.js, Python, Go, or Bash, version control your workflows with Git, and use npm/pip packages directly in your automation steps. It's the closest thing to "writing code, but with pre-built triggers and integrations."

What Makes Pipedream Unique

Pipedream's philosophy is fundamentally different from tools like Zapier or Make. Instead of abstracting away the code, Pipedream embraces it. Every workflow step is a code block that you can edit, debug, and test independently. This makes Pipedream incredibly powerful for developers who find visual builders limiting but don't want to build everything from scratch.

Key developer features include:

Code-First Steps: Write Node.js, Python, Go, or Bash directly in the workflow editor. Full language support, not a limited subset.
npm/pip Package Support: Import any npm or pip package and use it in your workflow steps. No restrictions on libraries.
Event-Driven Architecture: Workflows trigger on HTTP requests, webhooks, schedules, or events from connected apps.
Built-in Data Stores: Key-value stores for persisting data between workflow runs without an external database.
Git Integration: Version control your workflows alongside your application code.

Pipedream Pricing

Pipedream offers a free tier for getting started. For detailed pricing on paid plans, check pipedream.com/pricing for current rates.

Pipedream vs. n8n: The Key Trade-Off

Both Pipedream and n8n target developers, but they take different approaches. n8n gives you a visual node editor where you can optionally add code; Pipedream gives you a code editor where you can optionally use pre-built actions. If you want to write real code in your workflows but don't want to manage webhook infrastructure, API authentication, and scheduling from scratch, Pipedream fills that niche perfectly.

Best for: Software developers and engineering teams who want code-level control over their automation workflows.

#7: Apache Airflow — The Industry Standard for Data Pipelines

Not every team looking for an n8n alternative needs a general-purpose automation tool. If your primary use case is data engineering — orchestrating ETL pipelines, scheduling batch jobs, managing data transformations — Apache Airflow is the industry standard and a fundamentally different beast from n8n.

Why Data Teams Choose Airflow

Airflow was created by Airbnb in 2014 and donated to the Apache Software Foundation. It's now maintained by one of the largest open-source communities in data engineering. The tool defines workflows as Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) written in Python, giving data engineers full programmatic control over pipeline logic, dependencies, and scheduling.

Key capabilities:

Python-Native DAGs: Define workflows entirely in Python. No visual builder — this is code-first by design.
Massive Operator Library: Pre-built operators for AWS, GCP, Azure, Snowflake, Databricks, Spark, Kubernetes, and dozens of other data tools.
Scheduling & Backfill: Sophisticated scheduling with support for backfilling historical data runs.
Monitoring & Alerting: Built-in UI for monitoring DAG runs, viewing logs, and managing task retries.
Managed Options: Don't want to self-host? Use Astronomer or Google Cloud Composer for managed Airflow deployments.

Airflow Pricing

Apache Airflow itself is completely free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license. Your costs come from infrastructure (servers to run it) or managed services like Astronomer and Google Cloud Composer, which have their own pricing tiers.

Airflow vs. n8n: The Key Trade-Off

These tools solve different problems. n8n excels at event-driven automation — "when this happens, do that." Airflow excels at scheduled batch processing — "every day at 3 AM, run this data pipeline." If you need to connect SaaS apps and respond to webhooks, use n8n (or another tool on this list). If you need to orchestrate complex data transformations across your data warehouse, Airflow is the right tool.

Best for: Data engineering teams running ETL/ELT pipelines, batch processing jobs, and complex data orchestration workflows.

#8: Tray.io — Enterprise-Grade Automation for Large Organizations

Rounding out our list is Tray.io, an enterprise automation platform built for organizations that need industrial-strength reliability, governance, and scalability. While most tools on this list cater to individuals and small teams, Tray.io is designed for companies with complex integration needs across multiple departments.

What Sets Tray.io Apart

Tray.io's strength is its enterprise feature set. The platform includes capabilities that smaller tools simply don't offer:

Universal Automation Cloud: A platform designed to handle millions of workflow executions with enterprise-grade reliability and uptime SLAs.
Merlin AI: Tray.io's AI assistant that helps build, troubleshoot, and optimize workflows using natural language.
Advanced Governance: Role-based access control, audit trails, and compliance features for organizations in regulated industries.
API-First Architecture: Every workflow can be exposed as an API endpoint, making Tray.io suitable for building integration layers between enterprise systems.
Dedicated Support: Enterprise support with SLAs, dedicated customer success managers, and professional services.

Tray.io Pricing

Tray.io uses custom, quote-based pricing for all plans. Contact Tray.io for pricing. There is no self-serve free tier or published pricing.

Tray.io vs. n8n: The Key Trade-Off

Tray.io is overkill for small teams and individual makers — the pricing and complexity reflect its enterprise positioning. n8n is far more accessible for startups and smaller organizations. But if you're an enterprise with compliance requirements, need to support hundreds of users across multiple departments, and want white-glove support, Tray.io delivers what n8n's community-driven model cannot.

Best for: Large enterprises with complex integration needs, compliance requirements, and dedicated automation teams.

How We Chose These n8n Alternatives

We evaluated over 20 automation platforms to narrow this list down to the 8 best n8n alternatives for 2026. Here's our methodology:

Pricing transparency: We verified all pricing directly from official websites in February 2026. Tools with unclear or unverifiable pricing are noted accordingly.
Feature breadth: We assessed integration counts, AI capabilities, MCP support, and unique features that differentiate each tool from n8n.
Target audience fit: Each tool on this list serves a distinct user segment. We prioritized diversity so that readers with different needs can find the right match.
Maturity and reliability: We considered community size, documentation quality, and production readiness. Newer tools were evaluated on their trajectory and unique value propositions.
Self-hosting options: Since n8n's self-hosted community edition is a major draw, we evaluated which alternatives offer similar self-hosting flexibility.

We intentionally included a range of tools — from code-first platforms (Pipedream, Airflow) to no-code builders (Zapier, Make) to all-in-one platforms (Serenities AI) — because the best n8n alternative depends entirely on your specific needs.

n8n Pricing Breakdown: What You're Comparing Against

To make an informed switch, you need to understand exactly what n8n costs. Here's the full n8n Cloud pricing as of February 2026 (prices in EUR, billed annually):

Plan	Price	Executions/mo	Concurrent	Key Features
Community	Free (self-host)	Unlimited	—	Open source, 175,964 GitHub stars
Starter	€20/mo	2,500	5	1 shared project, 50 AI credits, forum support
Pro	€50/mo	10,000	20	3 shared projects, 150 AI credits, admin roles, 7d insights
Business	€667/mo	40,000	—	Self-hosted, SSO/SAML/LDAP, Git version control, 30d insights
Enterprise	Custom	Custom	200+	365d insights, 1000 AI credits, log streaming, SLA support

Key things to note about n8n pricing:

All plans include unlimited users and workflows. n8n doesn't charge per seat — pricing is entirely based on workflow executions.
Every integration is included. Unlike Zapier or Make, n8n doesn't gate integrations behind higher tiers.
The Community Edition is truly free. Self-host it on your own server and you get unlimited executions, unlimited users, and unlimited workflows at zero cost. The trade-off is the operational overhead of maintaining the server.
There's a big jump from Pro (€50/mo) to Business (€667/mo). The Business tier is the only cloud-hosted option with SSO and advanced enterprise features, and it's a significant investment.
Startup discount available: Companies with under 20 employees can get 50% off the Business plan.

Understanding n8n's pricing model — execution-based with unlimited users — is important context when comparing alternatives. Some competitors charge per user (which gets expensive for large teams), while others use credit-based systems (which can be unpredictable).

Frequently Asked Questions About n8n Alternatives

Is n8n really free?

Yes and no. n8n's Community Edition is free and open source — you can self-host it with unlimited workflows, users, and executions. However, you need to provide and maintain your own server infrastructure. n8n Cloud (the hosted version) starts at €20/month for the Starter plan with 2,500 executions. So "free" depends on whether you're willing to self-host.

What is the easiest n8n alternative for non-technical users?

Zapier is the easiest n8n alternative for non-technical users. Its interface is designed for business users with zero coding experience. You can set up automations in minutes using a guided, step-by-step builder. Make is the second-easiest option with its visual scenario builder. Both are significantly more beginner-friendly than n8n's node-based editor.

Which n8n alternative is best for developers?

Pipedream is the best n8n alternative for developers. It lets you write workflow steps in Node.js, Python, Go, or Bash with full language support, npm/pip packages, and Git integration. If you're specifically working on data pipelines, Apache Airflow is the industry standard for Python-based workflow orchestration.

Can I self-host any of these n8n alternatives?

Yes. Activepieces (MIT license), Apache Airflow (Apache 2.0 license), and n8n itself (Sustainable Use license) all offer self-hosted options. Activepieces has the most permissive license of the three. Make, Zapier, Tray.io, and Power Automate are cloud-only — you cannot self-host them.

What's the cheapest n8n alternative in 2026?

For cloud-hosted automation, Activepieces at $5/active flow/month with unlimited runs is extremely competitive. Make starts at $9/month for 10,000 credits. Serenities AI starts at $24/month but includes apps, database, and storage in addition to automation — making it the cheapest if you factor in all the tools it replaces. For self-hosting, Apache Airflow and the Activepieces Community Edition are completely free.

The Bottom Line: Which n8n Alternative Should You Choose?

There's no single "best" n8n alternative — the right choice depends on your team, technical skills, and what you're trying to automate. Here's the quick decision framework:

Want everything in one platform? → Serenities AI (apps + automation + database + storage)
Need the most integrations? → Zapier (8,000+ apps)
Want the best visual builder? → Make (drag-and-drop scenarios)
Need truly open source? → Activepieces (MIT license)
All-in on Microsoft? → Power Automate
Developer who wants code? → Pipedream
Running data pipelines? → Apache Airflow
Enterprise with complex needs? → Tray.io

Whatever you choose, the automation space in 2026 is more competitive than ever — which means better tools, lower prices, and more options for your team. Start with a free tier, test your most important workflow, and upgrade only when you hit limits.

Ready to try an all-in-one alternative? Start free with Serenities AI — get apps, automation, database, and storage in one integrated platform.