Softwr

API Management · head to head

3scale vs n8n

3scale logo

3scale

API Management

API management platform for designing, securing, and monetizing APIs

From
$300/monthly
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
n8n logo

n8n

Automation & Integration

The fair-code workflow automation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only n8n has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3scale red Hat's managed 3scale services end on 30 June 2027, so anyone adopting the hosted option now is choosing a product with a published end date; n8n starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions
  • They diverge on capability: 3scale covers API Gateway, n8n covers Workflow automation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3scale and n8n actually diverge.

Attributes where 3scale and n8n differ
Attribute3scalen8n
Starting price$300/monthlyFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridWeb, Docker, Self-hosted
CategoryAPI ManagementAutomation & Integration
Founded19932019

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3scale

  • API Gateway
  • Developer Portal
  • API Monetization
  • Red Hat OpenShift
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • Kubernetes
  • Cloud support

Only in n8n

  • Workflow automation
  • Visual editor
  • Conditional execution
  • Looping
  • Error handling
  • Scheduling
  • Webhooks
  • REST API

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3scale

  • API gateway and lifecycle managementnot n8n
  • Rate limiting and traffic control across API consumersnot n8n
  • Developer portal and access key managementnot n8n
  • Monetising APIs with usage-based plansnot n8n
  • Hybrid deployment across on-premises and cloudnot n8n

n8n

  • Building AI agents and workflow automation for technical teamsnot 3scale
  • Visual workflow design with capability to write custom JavaScript or Python codenot 3scale
  • Enterprise deployments with self-hosted or cloud optionsnot 3scale
  • Integrating 500+ pre-built applications with custom API connectionsnot 3scale

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3scale

  • Red Hat's managed 3scale services end on 30 June 2027, so anyone adopting the hosted option now is choosing a product with a published end date
  • Sold as part of Red Hat middleware rather than standalone, and 3scale.net redirects into redhat.com
  • Pricing is not published and a subscription is required for some services

n8n

  • Starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions
  • Starter and Pro tiers restricted to Cloud hosting only, not self-hosted
  • Business tier requires 6 months minimum commitment at €667/month
  • SSO/SAML/LDAP authentication requires Business or Enterprise tier
  • Dedicated support with SLA available only on Enterprise plan

Pricing, plan by plan

3scale

$300/monthly
  • Starter$300/monthly
    • API gateway
    • Developer portal
    • Basic analytics
  • Professional$750/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • API monetization
    • Enhanced support
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • Dedicated support
    • Premium SLA

n8n

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the n8n review.

Which should you pick?

Choose 3scale if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
  • You also want developer portal.
3scale review

Choose n8n if

  • You need workflow automation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Docker, Self-hosted.
  • You also want visual editor.
n8n review

Questions people ask

Is 3scale or n8n better?
Neither clearly leads. 3scale starts at $300/monthly and n8n at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3scale or n8n?
n8n has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $300/monthly for 3scale and Free for n8n.
Does 3scale or n8n run on more platforms?
3scale runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. n8n runs on Web, Docker, Self-hosted.
Can I use n8n for free?
Yes. n8n has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3scale starts at $300/monthly.
What is 3scale best used for?
3scale is most often used for api gateway and lifecycle management, rate limiting and traffic control across api consumers, developer portal and access key management, monetising apis with usage-based plans. Of those, api gateway and lifecycle management and rate limiting and traffic control across api consumers are not what n8n is typically brought in for.
What can 3scale do that n8n cannot?
3scale covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, API Monetization, Red Hat OpenShift. n8n covers Workflow automation, Visual editor, Conditional execution, Looping.
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