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n8n vs Pipedream

Two fact sheets from our own research, side by side — pricing, platforms, API access and status re-checked by us rather than quoted from the vendors.

The short answer

Free plan
Both have one
Public API
Both have one
Higher Trust score
Pipedream — 96 vs 75 for n8n
Best fit
n8n: Technical teams that want to self-host automation with Docker, on-prem or air-gapped · Pipedream: Developers who want to drop into real code instead of being boxed into pure no-code steps
Platforms
n8n: Web, Linux · Pipedream: Web

From our own records as of each tool's last check. Anything we have not confirmed is left out rather than guessed. How we verify

n8nWorkflow automation with AI-agent nodes that runs on n8n's cloud or self-hosted from GitHubPipedreamA developer platform for wiring APIs into automated workflows and AI agents, now owned by Workday.

Side by side

Factn8nPipedream
CategoryWorkflow Automation PlatformsIntegration & iPaaS
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starts at—$29/mo
Public APIYesYes
Trust score75 / 10096 / 100
PlatformsWeb, Linux, APIWeb, API
Companyn8n GmbHPipedream, Inc.
Launched—2019
Last verifiedSep 6, 2026Sep 1, 2026

What our research says

n8n

The automation tool to pick when you want agents and integrations on one canvas and the option to run it on your own hardware; self-hosting from GitHub is the escape hatch Zapier and Make do not offer. Cloud pricing is per execution rather than per task, which rewards long workflows, but the monthly figures hide behind a toggle and the Business tier is a self-hosted licence at a very different price point.

Pros

  • Self-hosted Community Edition on GitHub under a fair-code licence, with 207k stars
  • Agent, model, MCP and RAG nodes alongside 500+ app integrations
  • JavaScript or Python at any step, with a canvas that traces agent reasoning
  • Execution-based cloud billing with unlimited steps per execution
  • Public REST API on all self-hosted editions and on cloud Starter and above

Cons

  • Cloud prices were shown only in euros and only as annual-billing figures
  • Business tier (€667 a month) is self-hosted only, with cloud availability on a waitlist
  • Fair-code licence is not OSI open source, which matters for some corporate policies
  • Forum-only support below Enterprise

Pipedream

Pipedream is a mature, code-friendly automation platform — write a few lines of real code where no-code tools fall short, drawing on a large library of pre-built integrations. Its recent acquisition by Workday is worth watching, since roadmap priorities may shift toward Workday's own enterprise customers over time.

Pros

  • Over 3,000 pre-built app integrations and 10,000+ ready actions cut down custom integration work
  • Supports actual Node.js/Python code alongside no-code steps, not one or the other
  • Connect lets other companies embed Pipedream's integrations into their own products
  • SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance claims support production and enterprise use

Cons

  • Credit-based pricing makes costs harder to predict than a flat per-seat plan
  • Recently acquired by Workday, so long-term independent roadmap and pricing are uncertain
  • Free tier's credit allowance is small enough that real workflows need a paid plan quickly

Which one fits

Choose n8n if you need

  • Technical teams that want to self-host automation with Docker, on-prem or air-gapped
  • Builders combining LLM agents, MCP tools and RAG with ordinary app integrations
  • Workflows with many steps, since billing counts executions rather than individual operations

Choose Pipedream if you need

  • Developers who want to drop into real code instead of being boxed into pure no-code steps
  • Teams building AI agents that need to call many third-party APIs
  • Companies embedding third-party integrations into their own product via Connect

n8n vs Pipedream: the questions people ask

Is n8n cheaper than Pipedream?

Pipedream starts at $29/mo. n8n has a free tier; what its paid plans cost is not confirmed by us yet.

Does n8n or Pipedream have a free tier?

Both: n8n has a free tier, and Pipedream has a free tier.

Which has a public API, n8n or Pipedream?

Both ship a public API, so either can be built on; the fact table above shows the platforms each one runs on.

More comparisons

All n8n alternatives →All Pipedream alternatives →Browse all Workflow Automation Platforms →