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Software · head to head

n8n vs CrewAI

n8n logo

n8n

Software

The fair-code workflow automation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
C

CrewAI

Software

The Enterprise Agent Build and Runtime for the work your business runs on

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: n8n starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions; CrewAI the free Basic tier caps at 50 workflow executions per month, with all higher usage requiring a custom Enterprise contract, as of August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which n8n and CrewAI actually diverge.

Attributes where n8n and CrewAI differ
Attributen8nCrewAI
PlatformsWeb, Docker, Self-hostedWeb
Founded2019Unknown

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 n8n

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

Only in CrewAI

Nothing recorded that n8n does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

n8n

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

CrewAI

No use cases recorded yet. See the CrewAI review.

Where each one falls short

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

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

CrewAI

  • The free Basic tier caps at 50 workflow executions per month, with all higher usage requiring a custom Enterprise contract, as of August 2026.

Pricing, plan by plan

n8n

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the n8n review.

CrewAI

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the CrewAI review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose CrewAI if

  • You want to start without paying.
CrewAI review

Questions people ask

Is n8n or CrewAI better?
Neither clearly leads. n8n starts at Free and CrewAI at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, n8n or CrewAI?
n8n starts at Free and CrewAI at Free.
Does n8n or CrewAI run on more platforms?
n8n runs on Web, Docker, Self-hosted. CrewAI runs on Web.
Can I use n8n for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is n8n best used for?
n8n is most often used for building ai agents and workflow automation for technical teams, visual workflow design with capability to write custom javascript or python code, enterprise deployments with self-hosted or cloud options, integrating 500+ pre-built applications with custom api connections. Of those, building ai agents and workflow automation for technical teams and visual workflow design with capability to write custom javascript or python code are not what CrewAI is typically brought in for.
What can n8n do that CrewAI cannot?
n8n covers Workflow automation, Visual editor, Conditional execution, Looping.
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Related pages

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