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2026 comparison

Dify.ai vs n8n

Side-by-side analysis, no fluff. We've tested both in real-world conditions.

Summary table

Criterion
D
Dify.ai

Freemium

Winner
n
n8n

Freemium

Score
4.0 / 5
4.6 / 5
Category
Code & Dev
Productivity
Pricing model
Freemium
Freemium
Starting price
$0
$20/mo
Badge
D

What's best about Dify.ai

  • Visual workflow builder to orchestrate complex agent tasks.
  • Built-in RAG engine for parsing and chunking documents.
  • Ready-to-use API endpoints to deploy agents inside your own apps.
  • Support for over 50 LLM providers (cloud and local).
n

What's best about n8n

  • Completely free to self-host with no execution or workflow limits
  • JavaScript and Python code nodes handle logic that no-code tools cannot
  • Native AI agent nodes with LangChain, OpenAI, and tool-calling support
  • Active open-source community with 45,000+ GitHub stars and growing node library
n

What's weakest about n8n

  • Self-hosting requires Docker/server knowledge — not plug-and-play
  • Cloud pricing is higher than Make for equivalent execution volume
  • Fewer native integrations than Zapier (400 vs 6,000+)
  • UI can feel developer-centric — less approachable for non-technical users
R
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Quick verdict

n8n is the obvious pick if you value open-source automation — self-host for free, or use the cloud..

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Dify.ai or n8n?+

In our tests, n8n (4.6/5) edges out Dify.ai (4/5). n8n: Open-source automation — self-host for free, or use the cloud.

Does Dify.ai have a free plan?+

Yes, Dify.ai has a free plan available. Paid plans start at $0.

Does n8n have a free plan?+

Yes, n8n has a free plan available. Paid plans start at $20/mo.

How does Dify.ai differ from n8n?+

Dify.ai stands out for: Visual workflow builder to orchestrate complex agent tasks.; Built-in RAG engine for parsing and chunking documents.. n8n excels at: Completely free to self-host with no execution or workflow limits; JavaScript and Python code nodes handle logic that no-code tools cannot.