Visual no-code automation platform with AI agents connecting 3,000+ apps.
n8n vs Pipedream
Features, pricing, strengths and trade-offs — and which one fits your situation.
The verdict
Summary
n8n is best for technical teams wanting self-hostable automation and AI agents billed per workflow run, while Pipedream is best for developers who want code-first workflows and API integrations for AI agents. Only n8n offers self-hosting. Both n8n and Pipedream offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which should you choose?
Choose n8n if…
- You need technical teams wanting self-hostable automation and AI agents billed per workflow run
- Self-hosting matters to you
- You're one of: developers and technical ops teams, companies with data residency requirements, teams building llm agents
- Free self-hosted Community Edition with no execution limits
Choose Pipedream if…
- You need developers who want code-first workflows and API integrations for AI agents
- You're one of: software developers, saas teams embedding integrations, builders of ai agents needing tool access
- Full code flexibility inside each step, including npm and PyPI packages
At a glance
| n8n | Pipedream | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Technical teams wanting self-hostable automation and AI agents billed per workflow run | Developers who want code-first workflows and API integrations for AI agents |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | From €20/mo | From $29/mo |
| Learning curve | High | High |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, API | Web, API |
| Ideal for | Developers and technical ops teams, Companies with data residency requirements, Teams building LLM agents, High-volume automation users | Software developers, SaaS teams embedding integrations, Builders of AI agents needing tool access, Technical ops teams |
Feature comparison
| n8n | Pipedream | |
|---|---|---|
| Visual workflow builder | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations, approx. | 400+ native nodes | 3,000+ |
| AI agents | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosting | Yes | No |
| Custom code steps | Yes | Yes |
| Webhooks | Yes | Yes |
| Human approval steps | Yes | Limited |
| Billed per | Execution (per workflow run) | Credit |
IncludedLimited / higher plansNot available— Not confirmed
Security & enterprise
| n8n | Pipedream | |
|---|---|---|
| Business / enterprise plan | Yes | Yes |
| SSO (SAML / OIDC) | Enterprise plan | Business plan |
| SCIM user provisioning | — | — |
| SOC 2 | Type II | Type II |
| ISO 27001 | — | — |
| HIPAA (BAA available) | — | Enterprise plan (BAA) |
| GDPR DPA | Yes | — |
| Data residency options | — | — |
| No training on your data | — | — |
| Audit logs | — | — |
| Admin controls | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, self-hosted | Cloud |
From each vendor's security documentation. "—" = not confirmed. What to ask vendors · Compare all tools
What each tool does
n8n
n8n is a fair-code workflow automation tool with a node-based visual editor, available as a managed cloud service or self-hosted via the free Community Edition. Cloud plans are billed per workflow execution regardless of how many steps a run contains. It is favoured by developers and technical operations teams building integrations and LLM agents that need code-level control.
Key features- Node-based visual workflow editor
- AI Agent node with LangChain-based tools and memory
- JavaScript and Python Code node
- Webhook triggers and HTTP Request node
- Human review of AI tool calls via Slack, Teams, Gmail or chat
- Self-hosting with Docker or npm
Pipedream
Pipedream is a developer-oriented integration platform that combines a workflow builder with code steps in Node.js, Python, Go and Bash, plus pre-built actions for thousands of APIs. It also offers Connect, which lets developers embed its integrations and managed auth into their own AI agents and products. Workday agreed to acquire Pipedream in November 2025.
Key features- Workflow builder mixing pre-built actions and code
- Code steps in Node.js, Python, Go and Bash
- 3,000+ app connectors with managed OAuth
- HTTP/webhook, schedule and email triggers
- Connect for embedding integrations and tools in AI agents
- Suspend and resume workflows for approvals
Pricing
n8n
Free self-hosted Community Edition + cloud free trial; Cloud Starter from EUR 20/mo
Pipedream
Free plan (10K invocations/mo); Advanced $29/mo; Business $99/mo
Prices last checked September 2026. Plans change often — confirm on each vendor's site.
Pros and cons
n8n
Strengths- Free self-hosted Community Edition with no execution limits
- Per-execution billing is cheaper than per-step billing for long workflows
- Code nodes allow custom logic in any workflow
- Unlimited users and workflows on all cloud plans
- Fewer native integrations than Zapier or Make
- Assumes comfort with JSON, expressions and APIs
- SSO, Git version control and longer log retention need Business or Enterprise
- Self-hosting requires managing servers, updates and backups
Not ideal for: Non-technical users who want a guided, low-effort setup for common app connections will get started faster with Zapier.
Pipedream
Strengths- Full code flexibility inside each step, including npm and PyPI packages
- Managed authentication for thousands of APIs
- Free tier available for testing
- Well suited to building integrations into your own product
- Not beginner-friendly for non-developers
- No self-hosted edition
- Long-term product direction may shift following the Workday acquisition
- Approval steps require code rather than a dedicated no-code step
Not ideal for: Non-technical users who want a pure no-code builder should choose Zapier or Make instead.
Integrations
n8n
Pipedream
FAQ
What is the main difference between n8n and Pipedream?
n8n is built for technical teams wanting self-hostable automation and AI agents billed per workflow run; Pipedream is built for developers who want code-first workflows and API integrations for AI agents. Key differences: n8n offers self-hosting.
Is n8n or Pipedream cheaper?
n8n starts from €20/mo and Pipedream starts from $29/mo (as of September 2026). Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.
Do n8n and Pipedream have free plans?
Both n8n and Pipedream offer a free plan, so you can try each before paying.
Which is easier to use, n8n or Pipedream?
Both have a high learning curve.
What are good alternatives to n8n and Pipedream?
Other automation tools worth comparing include Make, Gumloop and Lindy.
