Automation & Coding comparison

n8n vs Dify

An independent, side-by-side look at two leading automation & coding tools: scores, pricing, strengths, and who each one fits. Updated June 2026.

n8n

★★★★★4.7

Source-available workflow automation you can self-host

Dify

★★★★★4.6

Open-source platform to build LLM apps and AI agents

The verdict

n8n scores higher, but fit decides it.

n8n leads on our score (4.7/5 vs 4.6/5), yet n8n and Dify are built for different priorities. n8n is strongest for technical teams that want zapier-style automation they fully control; Dify for developers and teams building custom AI apps, agents, and rag workflows. The table and picks below show exactly where each pulls ahead.

Side by side

n8n vs Dify at a glance.

	n8n	Dify
MR AI Score	4.7 / 5	4.6 / 5
Pricing model	Freemium	Freemium
Entry paid plan	Starter (cloud), €20/mo	Professional, $59/mo
Best for	Technical teams that want Zapier-style automation they fully control	Developers and teams building custom AI apps, agents, and RAG workflows
Standout strength	Self-hostable, so data stays on your infrastructure	Open source with a self-hosting option
Main trade-off	Steeper learning curve than no-code rivals	Self-hosting requires technical setup

Choose n8n if…

n8n is what you reach for when the automation matters enough to own. The visual editor is familiar, but the two decisions that set it apart are structural: you can self-host the whole engine so credentials and customer data never leave your infrastructure, and cloud pricing counts workflow executions rather than individual steps, so a twenty-node workflow costs the same as a two-node one. That pricing model alone tends to undercut per-task competitors badly at volume. The cost is ownership: self-hosting means you handle upgrades, backups and uptime yourself.

Self-hostable, so data stays on your infrastructure
Priced per execution, not per task, so volume stays cheap
Native AI agent and LLM nodes

Read the n8n review ↗

Choose Dify if…

Dify is an open-source answer to the closed LLM app platforms: a visual builder for chatbots, agents, RAG pipelines, and workflows that stays model-agnostic and can be self-hosted, so you own your stack. That flexibility is the appeal for developers and teams building real AI features. The trade-off is that self-hosting and advanced use take technical setup: this is a builder's tool, not a no-code toy.

Open source with a self-hosting option
Visual workflow and agent builder
Model-agnostic with RAG built in

Read the Dify review ↗

FAQ

n8n vs Dify: common questions.

Is n8n better than Dify?+

In our reviews n8n scores 4.7/5 and Dify scores 4.6/5, but the better tool depends on your needs: n8n suits technical teams that want zapier-style automation they fully control, while Dify suits developers and teams building custom AI apps, agents, and rag workflows.

n8n vs Dify: which is more affordable?+

n8n uses a freemium model and Dify a freemium model. Both offer paid plans, so compare the entry tiers above for your usage. Always confirm current pricing on each vendor's site.

Should I choose n8n or Dify?+

Choose n8n if technical teams that want zapier-style automation they fully control is your priority and self-hostable, so data stays on your infrastructure matters most. Choose Dify if you are developers and teams building custom AI apps, agents, and rag workflows and you value open source with a self-hosting option.

Still deciding?

Compare more automation & coding tools.

See the full ranking ↗