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Automation & Workflows comparison

n8n vs Activepieces: which should you self-host in 2026?

Pick n8n for the deepest node library, code steps and AI agent workflows; pick Activepieces if you want an MIT-licensed, simpler Zapier-style builder for non-developers.

Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.

n8n

n8n-io/n8n

207k GitHub starsLast commit Oct 6, 2026

Free node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services.

  • Sustainable Use License
  • TypeScript
  • Docker
  • Actively maintained
n8n detailsDeploy guide

Activepieces

activepieces/activepieces

25k GitHub starsLast commit Oct 6, 2026

No-code business automation tool like Zapier or Tray. For example, you can send a Slack notification for each new Trello card.

  • MIT
  • TypeScript
  • Docker
  • Actively maintained
Activepieces details

Head-to-head

n8n vs Activepieces, side by side

Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.

n8n compared with Activepieces
Aspectn8nActivepieces
LicenseSustainable Use License (fair-code, internal use only); .ee files need an n8n Enterprise LicenseMIT for the community edition; packages/ee is under a separate commercial license
Language/stackTypeScript on Node.js, Vue editorTypeScript on Node.js, React builder
DatabaseSQLite by default, PostgreSQL recommended for productionPostgreSQL and Redis for production installs
Standout featuresCode nodes in JavaScript and Python, AI agent and LangChain nodes, sub-workflowsPieces written as TypeScript npm packages, also exposed as MCP servers for AI agents
Learning curveModerate: node-based canvas with expressions and data mappingLow: linear step-by-step flow builder similar to Zapier
GitHub stars206,73824,913
Commits, last 12 months9,0295,647
Last commitOct 6, 2026Oct 6, 2026
Latest releasen8n@2.41.7Oct 5, 20260.92.1Sep 30, 2026
Main languageTypeScriptTypeScript
Official Docker imageYesYes
Repositoryn8n-io/n8nactivepieces/activepieces

Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.

Verdict

n8n is the more powerful tool for technical teams: branching, custom JavaScript or Python code and AI agent nodes make it suited to complex automations. Activepieces is easier for business users and its core is MIT, which matters if you want to embed it or offer it to clients, something the n8n Sustainable Use License restricts.

Best for

Choose n8n for

Technical teams building complex, code-heavy or AI agent workflows.

Best for

Choose Activepieces for

Non-technical teams and products that need an MIT-licensed automation core.

Deploy either in minutes

Not sure yet? Spin up a small VPS or a managed instance, try both for a week, and keep the one that fits.

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FAQ

n8n vs Activepieces: FAQ

Still curious? Email info@appsgit.com.

Is n8n open source?

n8n is source-available under the Sustainable Use License, a fair-code license. You can self-host it for internal business or personal use, but you cannot resell it as a hosted service.

Can Activepieces replace Zapier?

Yes for most common use cases. It uses the same trigger-and-steps model as Zapier and ships a large library of integrations you can self-host.

Which is easier to self-host?

Both ship official Docker images. n8n can start with a single container and SQLite, while Activepieces production setups add PostgreSQL and Redis.

Which is more popular on GitHub, n8n or Activepieces?

n8n has 206,738 GitHub stars against 24,913 for Activepieces. Over the last twelve months n8n received 9,029 commits and Activepieces received 5,647, so n8n is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.

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