n8n vs Pipedream
n8n and Pipedream are both workflow automation tools. n8n is aimed at developers and small businesses, while Pipedream is aimed at developers. Both have a free plan.
Source-available workflow automation you can self-host
Integration platform for developers
| Pricing | Open source | Freemium · $150 |
| Starting price | Not published | $150/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | 14 days | — |
| Built for | Developers, Small businesses | Developers |
| Platforms | web | web |
| Country | DE · 2019 | US · 2019 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose n8n if
Technical teams and developers who want powerful, affordable automation and are comfortable with Docker or a cloud plan.
- Self-host for free with unlimited runs
- Per-execution cloud pricing is far cheaper than per-task
- Strongest AI/agent tooling among automation platforms
Look elsewhere if: Non-technical users who want plug-and-play templates and premium support; Zapier or Make fit better.
Choose Pipedream if
Developers who want fast integrations with code flexibility.
- Code when you need it, prebuilt when you don't
- Managed auth saves time
- Free tier for development
Look elsewhere if: Non-technical users (Zapier, Make).
n8n vs Pipedream pricing
n8n
- Community (self-hosted)€0Self-hosted on your own server; fair-code license
- Starter (Cloud)€24/mo€20/mo billed annually; 2,500 executions, 1 shared project
- Pro (Cloud)€60/mo€50/mo billed annually; 10,000 executions, 3 shared projects
- Business (self-hosted)€800/mo€667/mo billed annually; 40,000 executions, SSO, LDAP
- EnterpriseCustomCloud or self-hosted, unlimited projects, 200+ concurrency
Pipedream
- Free$0Development only, 3,000+ connectors, unlimited team members
- Startup$150/mo$99/mo billed annually; production, 100 users, 10,000 credits
- BusinessCustomVolume pricing, SSO, SCIM, HIPAA, SLAs
n8n · Key features
- Visual node editor with branching, loops, merge and error handling
- 400+ native integrations plus generic HTTP and webhook nodes
- Code nodes in JavaScript and Python
- AI agent nodes with LangChain, vector stores and memory
- Self-hosting with Docker or npm; queue mode for scale
- Credentials management, versioning and environments (Enterprise)
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- Fewer and sometimes less polished integrations
- Self-hosting means you maintain uptime and updates
Pipedream · Key features
- 2,500+ app integrations with managed OAuth
- Code steps in Node, Python, Go, Bash
- Event sources, HTTP triggers and schedules
- Logs, retries and concurrency controls
- Pipedream Connect for embedded integrations
- MCP servers for AI agents
Cons
- Developer-oriented UX
- Credits model to understand
- No self-hosting
n8n vs Pipedream: FAQ
Do n8n and Pipedream have a free plan?
Yes, both n8n and Pipedream have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.
Which is better for small businesses, n8n or Pipedream?
n8n lists small businesses as a core audience, while Pipedream is aimed more at developers.