CrewAI vs n8n

Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

CrewAI

An open-source multi-agent framework plus a hosted platform for building AI agent workflows.

Open sourceSelf-hostable

Visit CrewAI CrewAI profile

n8n

A fair-code workflow automation tool you can self-host, with code steps and AI agent nodes.

Free plan + paidSelf-hostable

Visit n8n n8n profile

The short answer

CrewAI is a code-first Python framework (MIT-licensed) for teams of AI agents, with an optional hosted platform. n8n is a visual workflow automation tool with 2,000+ integrations and AI agent nodes, self-hostable under a fair-code licence. Choose CrewAI for multi-agent logic written in code; choose n8n when agents are one part of broader app-to-app automations.

CrewAI or n8n: our take

CrewAI starts from the agent. Developers define several agents, each with a role, goal and tools, and tasks they collaborate on, in Python code or YAML, connected to any LLM. The framework adds memory, planning and checkpointing for longer jobs, plus built-in tools for web search, code execution, vector databases and MCP servers. n8n starts from the workflow: a canvas of nodes for apps, logic, HTTP requests and JavaScript or Python code, where AI agent, LLM, vector store and memory nodes sit alongside 2,000+ integrations and human-in-the-loop approvals.

Licensing and deployment differ in a way that matters for some teams. CrewAI's framework is MIT-licensed open source, and its Enterprise plan can deploy in your own VPC or infrastructure. n8n's source is available under the Sustainable Use License, a fair-code licence that allows free internal use but restricts offering n8n as a commercial service. Both can be self-hosted: n8n's free Community edition runs with Docker on your own server.

On hosted pricing, CrewAI's free Basic plan includes the visual editor and 50 workflow executions/month, while Enterprise pricing is custom and unpublished. n8n cloud starts at €20/month billed annually (Starter, 2.5K executions), Pro is €50/month billed annually with 10K executions, and both charge per execution rather than per step; there is a 14-day trial with no credit card. SSO and Git-based version control need n8n's Business or Enterprise editions.

Engineering teams building agent systems where the agents' collaboration is the product, and who are comfortable in Python, will get more control from CrewAI. Technical teams that want to wire AI agents into CRMs, inboxes, databases and other apps, with less code and the option to keep everything on their own server, will usually move faster with n8n.

Choose CrewAI if…

Developers and AI teams building multi-agent workflows they plan to run in production.
You want open-source software
MIT-licensed framework you can run anywhere with any LLM
Hundreds of ready-made tools and first-class MCP support

Choose n8n if…

Technical teams that want self-hosted automations and AI agents without per-task fees
Free self-hosted Community edition
Priced per execution, not per step

What is CrewAI?

CrewAI lets you build workflows where several AI agents, each with a role, goal and set of tools, work together on a task. The core is an open-source Python framework under the MIT licence: developers define agents and tasks in code or YAML, connect any LLM, and use built-in tools for web search, code execution, vector databases and MCP servers, with memory, planning and checkpointing for longer jobs. On top of that, CrewAI sells a managed platform with a visual editor and AI copilot, tracing, guardrails, human-in-the-loop steps and deployment. The free Basic plan includes the visual editor and a small monthly allowance of workflow runs; the Enterprise plan adds SSO, role-based access, private VPC or self-managed deployment and dedicated support at custom prices. It sits between code-first agent libraries and no-code automation tools, and suits engineering teams that want to prototype quickly and then run agents in production.

What is n8n?

n8n is a node-based workflow automation platform popular with technical teams. Workflows are built on a canvas from nodes for apps, logic, HTTP requests and custom JavaScript or Python, and it has become a common choice for building AI agents, with nodes for LLMs, vector stores, memory and human-in-the-loop approvals. Its biggest difference from Zapier and Make is deployment: you can self-host the free Community edition with Docker on your own server, which keeps data in-house and avoids per-task charges, or pay for n8n's cloud. The source is available under n8n's Sustainable Use License, a fair-code licence that allows free internal use but restricts offering n8n as a commercial service, so it isn't open source in the OSI sense. Cloud and paid self-hosted plans are priced by workflow executions rather than individual steps, which makes long workflows cheaper. Business and Enterprise editions add SSO, Git-based version control and environments. The interface assumes some technical comfort.

Side by side

Attribute	CrewAI	n8n
Pricing	Open source	Free plan + paid
Open source	Yes	No
Self-hostable	Yes	Yes
Platforms	Web, Self-hosted	Web, Self-hosted
Best for	Developers and AI teams building multi-agent workflows they plan to run in production.	Technical teams that want self-hosted automations and AI agents without per-task fees
Status	Active	Active

Verified facts, compared

Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.

Fact	CrewAI	n8n
License	MIT	Sustainable Use License (fair-code)

CrewAI vs n8n pricing

CrewAI: open source

License: MIT source
Free plan: 50 workflow executions/month source

n8n: free plan + paid

Cloud starting price: €20/month (annual), 2.5K executions source
Pro price: €50/month (annual), 10K executions source
License: Sustainable Use License (fair-code) source
Starting price: €20/month billed annually (Starter, 2.5K executions) source
Pro plan: €50/month billed annually, 10K executions source
Business plan: €667/month billed annually, 40K executions, self-hosted source
Free trial: 14 days, no credit card source

n8n pricing page

Platforms

Platform	CrewAI	n8n
Web
Self-hosted

CrewAI facts

4 of 4 verified

License: MIT; Checked Nov 4, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab); “License: MIT (MIT License).”
Free plan: 50 workflow executions/month; Checked Nov 8, 2026crewai.com(opens source in a new tab); “Visual editor and AI copilot GitHub integration 50 workflow executions/month”
Deployment: CrewAI cloud, your VPC or your own infrastructure; Checked Nov 8, 2026crewai.com(opens source in a new tab); “Deploy on CrewAI cloud, your own VPC, or your own infrastructure”
MCP support: Yes; Checked Nov 8, 2026crewai.com(opens source in a new tab); “With first-class support for MCP”

n8n facts

9 of 9 verified

Cloud starting price: €20/month (annual), 2.5K executions; Checked Nov 8, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “20€ /mo, billed annually 2.5K workflow executions”
Pro price: €50/month (annual), 10K executions; Checked Nov 8, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “50€ /mo, billed annually 10K workflow executions”
Self-hosting: Yes, free Community edition; Checked Nov 8, 2026docs.n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “Without a license key, n8n runs as the free Community edition.”
Integrations: 2,000+; Checked Nov 8, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “Best app + software integrations Browse 2,000+ integrations for apps, services, and APIs, and build them into your workflows.”
License: Sustainable Use License (fair-code); Checked Nov 8, 2026docs.n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “n8n uses the Sustainable Use License and n8n Enterprise License .”
Starting price: €20/month billed annually (Starter, 2.5K executions); Checked Nov 8, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “20€ /mo, billed annually 2.5K workflow executions”
Pro plan: €50/month billed annually, 10K executions; Checked Nov 8, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “50€ /mo, billed annually 10K workflow executions”
Business plan: €667/month billed annually, 40K executions, self-hosted; Checked Nov 8, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “667€ /mo, billed annually 40K workflow executions”
Free trial: 14 days, no credit card; Checked Nov 8, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “Business features for 14 days. No credit card is required for the n8n Cloud trial.”

Pros and cons of CrewAI

MIT-licensed framework you can run anywhere with any LLM
Hundreds of ready-made tools and first-class MCP support
Visual editor and tracing on the hosted platform, including a free tier
Enterprise deployment in your own VPC or infrastructure
Free hosted plan is capped at 50 workflow executions a month
Enterprise pricing is not published
Framework requires Python and coding skills to go beyond the visual editor

More CrewAI alternatives

Pros and cons of n8n

Free self-hosted Community edition
Priced per execution, not per step
Code nodes and strong AI agent tooling
Fair-code licence restricts commercial resale
Less friendly for non-technical users
SSO and version control need paid editions

More n8n alternatives

Other apps to consider

Lindy
Instead of CrewAI
No-code AI agents for everyday business tasks, without writing Python.
Gumloop
Instead of CrewAI
Drag-and-drop AI workflow builder aimed at non-developers, with many ready integrations.
AutoGPT
Instead of CrewAI
Open-source agent platform you can self-host, with a visual builder for chaining autonomous agent steps.
Activepieces
Instead of n8n
MIT-licensed integrations and a simpler builder, also self-hostable.
Make
Instead of n8n
Hosted visual builder that non-technical teammates find easier.
Zapier
Instead of n8n
Far more prebuilt app integrations and no servers to manage.

CrewAI vs n8n: common questions

Is CrewAI better than n8n?

Is CrewAI free?

Yes. CrewAI is free, open-source software you can host yourself.

Is n8n free?

n8n has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.

Is CrewAI or n8n open source?

CrewAI is open source; n8n is not.

Which platforms do CrewAI and n8n support?

CrewAI: Web and Self-hosted. n8n: Web and Self-hosted.