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n8n vs Stepper

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
Best fit
n8n: Technical teams that want to self-host automation with Docker, on-prem or air-gapped · Stepper: Small businesses wanting workflow automation without learning a node-based builder first
Platforms
n8n: Web, Linux · Stepper: Web
Trust score
About even — n8n 75, Stepper 72

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 GitHubStepperDescribe a workflow in plain English and it builds the automation, backed by Paperform's integration library.

Side by side

Factn8nStepper
CategoryWorkflow Automation PlatformsWorkflow Automation Platforms
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starts at—$19/mo
Public APIYesYes
Trust score75 / 10072 / 100
PlatformsWeb, Linux, APIWeb, API
Companyn8n GmbHPaperform Pty Ltd
Last verifiedSep 6, 2026Oct 15, 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

Stepper

Stepper's pitch is describing a workflow in plain language instead of wiring nodes by hand, backed by an integration library from an established form-building company rather than a brand-new startup. The free plan's 200 steps a month is workable for light use, but MCP and agent-facing features are new enough that depth compared to established automation platforms is still unproven.

Pros

  • Conversational editor generates automation logic from a plain-language description
  • Connects to more than 480 apps rather than a narrow integration list
  • Free plan (200 steps/month) is usable on its own, not just a trial
  • MCP compatibility lets AI agents trigger or use workflows as tools

Cons

  • Backed by a company (Paperform) primarily known for form-building, not automation, so track record in this category is newer
  • Credits on the Pro plan can run out on heavy workflows, requiring paid top-ups
  • Conversational generation quality on complex, multi-branch workflows wasn't something we could verify hands-on

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 Stepper if you need

  • Small businesses wanting workflow automation without learning a node-based builder first
  • Teams already using Paperform who want automation from the same vendor

n8n vs Stepper: the questions people ask

Is n8n cheaper than Stepper?

Stepper starts at $19/mo. n8n has a free tier; what its paid plans cost is not confirmed by us yet.

Does n8n or Stepper have a free tier?

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

Which has a public API, n8n or Stepper?

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 Stepper alternatives →Browse all Workflow Automation Platforms →