n8n Cloud costs $27.73/mo.
These cost $0.
3 free alternatives to n8n Cloud, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
n8n Cloud vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $27.73/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activepieces Community Edition | open source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 24k | n8n Cloud vs Activepieces Community Edition → |
| Automatisch | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 14k | n8n Cloud vs Automatisch → |
| n8n Community Edition | free | n8n Sustainable Use License | Self-host | ★ $0 forever | n8n Cloud vs n8n Community Edition → |
The picks
2 open source · 1 free to use · ranked by fit
- 01
Activepieces Community Edition
open sourceMITSelf-host24kaug 2026A genuinely open-source workflow runner with a simpler one-container path.
The catch vs n8n CloudActivepieces has a smaller node ecosystem and requires you to provide the uptime, upgrades, backups and security n8n Cloud manages.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Run one Docker container for personal/testing use, or Docker Compose with PostgreSQL and Redis for production.
- setup
- Requires Docker; public webhooks need a reachable HTTPS URL, while production also needs PostgreSQL, Redis and managed secrets.
- engines
- AI pieces connect to providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Google Gemini using user-supplied credentials.
- your data
- Single-container mode stores data under ~/.activepieces; production uses PostgreSQL and Redis, with files/logs optionally in S3-compatible storage.
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 02
Automatisch
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host14kjan 2026A smaller AGPL automation server for people who do not need n8n's entire ecosystem.
The catch vs n8n CloudAutomatisch is much narrower than n8n's ecosystem and still leaves every operational responsibility with you.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone the repository and run Docker Compose.
- setup
- Requires Docker, PostgreSQL/Redis configuration and secret management; the default sample login must be changed immediately.
- your data
- Application and credential data stays on the user's server in PostgreSQL, with Redis for queues/cache; credentials are encrypted.
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 03
n8n Community Edition
freen8n Sustainable Use LicenseSelf-hostThe same workflow engine without the cloud bill; you inherit updates, backups, and uptime.
The catch vs n8n CloudIt is the same core workflow engine, but the cloud plan's managed upgrades, backups, availability and support all disappear.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Install with Docker or npm; Docker is the recommended production path.
- setup
- Requires a server, HTTPS and a public webhook URL for many integrations, plus ongoing updates, backups and provider credentials.
- engines
- AI nodes connect to OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Ollama and many other model/vector backends.
- your data
- SQLite stores workflows, credentials and executions by default; PostgreSQL is supported, with binary data in the database, filesystem or object storage.
- checked
- 2026-08-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · n8n Cloud open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to n8n Cloud?+
The top free alternative to n8n Cloud is Activepieces Community Edition (open source, MIT). A genuinely open-source workflow runner with a simpler one-container path. Other popular n8n Cloud replacements include Automatisch, n8n Community Edition.
Can I self-host a free replacement for n8n Cloud?+
Yes. Of the 3 free alternatives to n8n Cloud, 3 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Activepieces Community Edition (MIT), Automatisch (AGPL-3.0), n8n Community Edition (n8n Sustainable Use License).
How much does switching from n8n Cloud to a free alternative save?+
n8n Cloud starts at $27.73/month per seat ($333/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Activepieces Community Edition saves $1,664 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own n8n Cloud clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for n8n Cloud is YES (the core loop fits in a weekend). Because n8n itself is open source, the core cloud subscription can be replaced by self-hosting if you can own hosting, updates, and backups.
What is the catch when switching from n8n Cloud to Activepieces Community Edition?+
Activepieces has a smaller node ecosystem and requires you to provide the uptime, upgrades, backups and security n8n Cloud manages.
