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Software · head to head

Couchbase vs n8n

Couchbase logo

Couchbase

Software

The modern database for enterprise applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
n8n logo

n8n

Software

The fair-code workflow automation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Couchbase the free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only; n8n starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions
  • They diverge on capability: Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, n8n covers Workflow automation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Couchbase and n8n actually diverge.

Attributes where Couchbase and n8n differ
AttributeCouchbasen8n
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, WebWeb, Docker, Self-hosted
Founded20112019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Couchbase

  • JSON Document Model
  • SQL++ Query
  • Full-text Search
  • Eventing
  • Analytics
  • Mobile Sync
  • Multi-dimensional Scaling
  • Kafka

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.

Couchbase

  • Running a distributed NoSQL document database as a managed servicenot n8n
  • Mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud databasenot n8n

n8n

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

Where each one falls short

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

Couchbase

  • The free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only
  • Node rates are hourly and quoted as starting figures, from $0.15 an hour on Basic to $0.49 on Enterprise
  • The Developer Pro and Enterprise plans require 3 nodes, so the hourly rate multiplies before any usage
  • Backup storage is billed separately at $0.07 per GB a month, and analytics backups at $0.14
  • Support response time is a plan feature, at 8 hours on Developer Pro against 30 minutes on Enterprise
  • AI and analytics run as separately priced planes at up to $0.86 an hour per node

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

Couchbase

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full features
    • Community support
    • Self-managed
  • Capella FreeFree
    • Managed service
    • Limited resources
    • Cloud hosted

n8n

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the n8n review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Couchbase if

  • You need json document model.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want sql++ query.
Couchbase 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 Couchbase or n8n better?
Neither clearly leads. Couchbase 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, Couchbase or n8n?
Couchbase starts at Free and n8n at Free.
Does Couchbase or n8n run on more platforms?
Couchbase runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web. n8n runs on Web, Docker, Self-hosted.
Can I use Couchbase for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Couchbase best used for?
Couchbase is most often used for running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service, mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database. Of those, running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service and mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database are not what n8n is typically brought in for.
What can Couchbase do that n8n cannot?
Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, SQL++ Query, Full-text Search, Eventing. n8n covers Workflow automation, Visual editor, Conditional execution, Looping.
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