Windmill vs n8n

Side-by-side — pricing, strengths, tradeoffs, and fit.

Windmill

Open-source developer platform turning scripts into workflows and internal apps.

n8n

Open-source, self-hostable workflow automation with code when you need it.

At a glance

Open SourceFree TierEnterprise
● Established·From $0 self-hosted
Open SourceFree TierEnterprise
● Established·From $0 self-hosted

Overview

One-liner

Open-source developer platform turning scripts into workflows and internal apps.

One-liner

Open-source, self-hostable workflow automation with code when you need it.

Maturity

Established

Maturity

Established

Open source

✓ Yes

Open source

✓ Yes

Pricing

Free tier

✓ Available

Self-hosted free; cloud has paid plans

Free tier

✓ Available

Self-hosted free; cloud has paid plans

Starts at

$0 self-hosted

Starts at

$0 self-hosted

Model

Usage-based

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise

✓ Available

Enterprise

✓ Available

Best for

✓ Best for

Script-based workflows and internal toolsTurn code into flows and UIs
Self-hosted automation platformOwn your execution engine

✓ Best for

Self-hosted, code-friendly automationOwn your data and logic
AI-powered workflowsBuilt-in LLM/agent nodes

Not ideal for

✕ Not for

—

✕ Not for

—

Strengths

↑ Strengths

Scripts → workflows + UIs
Open source and fast
Flexible (jobs, crons, apps)

↑ Strengths

Open source and self-hostable
Code when you need it
AI/agent nodes

Weaknesses

↓ Weaknesses

Self-hosting ops
Broad scope to learn

↓ Weaknesses

Self-hosting ops
Fewer prebuilt apps than Zapier
Full Windmill profile →Full n8n profile →