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Databases · head to head

Apache Airflow vs n8n

Apache Airflow logo

Apache Airflow

Databases

Programmatically author, schedule and monitor data workflows in Python

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
n8n logo

n8n

Automation Integration

The fair-code workflow automation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apache Airflow self-hosting is genuinely heavy: scheduler, metadata database, workers and executor choice are a standing operational job; n8n starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Airflow covers Pipelines as Python, n8n covers Workflow automation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache Airflow and n8n actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache Airflow and n8n differ
AttributeApache Airflown8n
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence fee; managed services billed separatelysubscription
PlatformsLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hostedWeb, Docker, Self-hosted
CategoryDatabasesAutomation Integration
FoundedUnknown2019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Apache Airflow

  • Pipelines as Python
  • Web UI
  • Cloud provider packages
  • Jinja templating
  • Retries and dependencies
  • Extensible operators

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.

Apache Airflow

  • Scheduling nightly ETL where step order and retries matternot n8n
  • Coordinating machine learning training and evaluation runsnot n8n
  • Orchestrating dbt runs alongside extraction and loadingnot n8n
  • Replacing a sprawl of cron jobs with dependencies and visible run historynot n8n

n8n

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

Where each one falls short

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

Apache Airflow

  • Self-hosting is genuinely heavy: scheduler, metadata database, workers and executor choice are a standing operational job
  • Built for scheduled batch work, and a poor fit for event-driven or sub-minute latency pipelines
  • Because DAGs are Python that the scheduler parses continuously, expensive top-level code in a DAG file slows the whole scheduler
  • Local development and testing of DAGs is awkward compared with newer orchestrators designed with it in mind

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

Apache Airflow

Free
  • Apache AirflowFree
    • Full scheduler and web UI
    • All provider packages
    • No task or DAG limits

n8n

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Free self-hosted version on GitHub
    • Open source
  • Starter$20/month
    • 2,500 workflow executions
    • 5 concurrent executions
    • 2,300 AI credits/month
  • Pro$50/month
    • 10,000 workflow executions
    • 20 concurrent executions
    • 13,700 AI credits/month
  • Business$667/month
    • 40,000 workflow executions
    • Self-hosted option
    • 6 shared projects

Which should you pick?

Choose Apache Airflow if

  • You need pipelines as python.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want web ui.
Apache Airflow 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 Apache Airflow or n8n better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Airflow starts at Free and n8n at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Airflow or n8n?
Apache Airflow starts at Free and n8n at Free.
Does Apache Airflow or n8n run on more platforms?
Apache Airflow runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted. n8n runs on Web, Docker, Self-hosted.
Can I use Apache Airflow for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Apache Airflow best used for?
Apache Airflow is most often used for scheduling nightly etl where step order and retries matter, coordinating machine learning training and evaluation runs, orchestrating dbt runs alongside extraction and loading, replacing a sprawl of cron jobs with dependencies and visible run history. Of those, scheduling nightly etl where step order and retries matter and coordinating machine learning training and evaluation runs are not what n8n is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Airflow do that n8n cannot?
Apache Airflow covers Pipelines as Python, Web UI, Cloud provider packages, Jinja templating. n8n covers Workflow automation, Visual editor, Conditional execution, Looping.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apache Airflow: Is Apache Airflow free?

Yes. Airflow is open source under the Apache Software Foundation with no licence fee. Costs are the infrastructure to run it, or a managed service such as Google Cloud Composer or Amazon MWAA.

n8n: Is there a free version of n8n?

Yes, n8n Community Edition is free and open-source, available for self-hosting on GitHub with unlimited users and workflows.

Source
Apache Airflow: What language are Airflow workflows written in?

Python. A workflow is a Python file, so standard language features including loops and datetime handling can generate tasks dynamically, with no XML or command-line configuration.

n8n: What is the difference between n8n plans?

Plans differ by monthly workflow executions (2,500 for Starter, 10,000 for Pro, 40,000 for Business), concurrent execution limits, AI credits, and shared project counts.

Source
Apache Airflow: Is Airflow suitable for real-time pipelines?

Not really. Airflow is designed for scheduled batch orchestration. Event-driven or sub-minute work is better served by a streaming platform such as Kafka or a purpose-built streaming engine.

n8n: Does n8n offer annual billing discounts?

Yes, n8n offers 17% off when billing annually instead of monthly, and provides a Startup Plan at 50% off Business pricing for companies under 20 employees.

Source
Apache Airflow: What are the main alternatives to Airflow?

Dagster and Prefect are the two most commonly weighed against it, both newer and both designed around the local development and testing experience Airflow is criticised for.

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