What is the difference between n8n and Power Automate?

n8n is best for Technical users who want self-hosted automation with code escape hatches, while Power Automate is best for Microsoft 365 teams wanting enterprise automation. n8n starts at Free (self-hosted) and Power Automate starts at $15/user/mo.

Is n8n or Power Automate cheaper?

n8n starts at Free (self-hosted) and is free. Power Automate starts at $15/user/mo with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to Power Automate?

Both n8n and Power Automate offer free tiers.

n8n vs Power Automate

n8n is open-source workflow automation with a visual editor. Self-hostable with code flexibility, while Power Automate is microsoft's automation platform connecting 400+ services with desktop and cloud flows. The biggest difference up front: n8n is free, while Power Automate starts at $15/user/mo. n8n is built for technical users who want self-hosted automation with code escape hatches, whereas Power Automate targets microsoft 365 teams wanting enterprise automation.

At a glance

	n8n	Power Automate
Best for	Technical users who want self-hosted automation with code escape hatches	Microsoft 365 teams wanting enterprise automation
Starting price	Free (self-hosted)	$15/user/mo
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	✓	—
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	✓	—
400+ Connectors	—	✓
AI Builder	—	✓
Cloud Flows	—	✓
Custom Code	✓	—
Desktop Flows	—	✓
Open Source	✓	—
Self-Hosted	✓	—
Visual Editor	✓	—
Webhooks	✓	—

n8n

Strengths

Open source and self-hostable
Can write custom code within workflows
No per-execution pricing (self-hosted)
Growing integration library

Weaknesses

Requires technical setup if self-hosting
Smaller app library than Zapier/Make
Cloud version is relatively expensive
UI less polished than commercial alternatives

Try n8n → Full review

Power Automate

Strengths

Includes Desktop Flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
Includes Cloud Flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
Free with M365 limits — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Includes ai builder alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

Free plan has meaningful restrictions: free with m365 limits
Enterprise-focused design means the interface can feel heavy for smaller teams
Complex automations can break silently if a connected service changes its API
Overkill for freelancers or small teams who need something lightweight

Try Power Automate → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: n8n is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Power Automate starts at $15/user/mo, but Free with M365 limits. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.

Feature gaps: n8n offers Custom Code, Open Source and Self-Hosted that Power Automate lacks. Power Automate brings 400+ Connectors, AI Builder and Cloud Flows that n8n does not have.

Team fit: n8n is geared toward small teams teams, while Power Automate is aimed at enterprise teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Open source: n8n is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Power Automate is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.

Where each tool shines: n8n's biggest strengths are: open source and self-hostable. can write custom code within workflows. Power Automate's biggest strengths are: includes desktop flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows. includes cloud flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows.

Watch out for: With n8n, users commonly note that requires technical setup if self-hosting. With Power Automate, the main complaint is that free plan has meaningful restrictions: free with m365 limits.

Choose n8n if...

You need a tool built for technical users who want self-hosted automation with code escape hatches
Budget is a hard constraint — n8n is free, Power Automate is not
You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
You specifically need Custom Code and Open Source
You care about can write custom code within workflows

Choose Power Automate if...

You need a tool built for microsoft 365 teams wanting enterprise automation
You specifically need 400+ Connectors and AI Builder
You care about includes cloud flows as a core feature, purpose-built for automation workflows
Your team size fits the enterprise profile Power Automate is designed for
The free tier works for you: free with m365 limits