n8n vs Microsoft Power Automate
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading automation & integration solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose n8n if you need Workflow automation and prefer a free starting option. Choose Microsoft Power Automate if you prioritize Automated flows and want a free tier to start. n8n has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.3).
n8n vs Microsoft Power Automate: At a Glance
| Criteria | n8n | Microsoft Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6 | 4.3 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | hybrid | per-flow |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Self-hosted | Web, Cloud, Desktop |
| Category | Automation & Integration | Automation & Integration |
| Founded | 2019 | 2016 |
Feature Comparison: n8n vs Microsoft Power Automate
| Feature | n8n | Microsoft Power Automate |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow automation | ||
| Visual editor | ||
| Conditional execution | ||
| Looping | ||
| Error handling | ||
| Scheduling | ||
| Webhooks | ||
| REST API | ||
| 400+ integrations | ||
| HTTP requests | ||
| Custom nodes | ||
| Slack | ||
| GitHub | ||
| Google Workspace | ||
| Automated flows | ||
| Instant flows | ||
| Scheduled flows | ||
| Desktop automation | ||
| Process mining | ||
| Business process flows | ||
| Approval workflows | ||
| 500+ connectors | ||
| Microsoft 365 | ||
| Salesforce | ||
| SharePoint | ||
| Dynamics 365 | ||
| SAP | ||
| Oracle | ||
| Custom APIs |
n8n vs Microsoft Power Automate: Pricing Breakdown
n8n Pricing
Model: hybrid
- Self-hosted
- Open-source
- Community support
- Full feature set
- Cloud hosted
- Limited executions
- Basic support
- Cloud hosted
- 5000 executions/month
- Priority support
- Team features
Microsoft Power Automate Pricing
Model: per-flow
- Automated flows
- Instant flows
- Limited actions
- Basic support
- Unlimited actions
- Advanced features
- Premium connectors
- Email support
- Process mining
- Desktop flows
- Advanced automation
- Priority support
Pros and Cons
n8n
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.6/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Workflow automation functionality
- Strong Visual editor functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Microsoft Power Automate
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Cloud, Desktop)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Automated flows functionality
- Strong Instant flows functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use n8n vs Microsoft Power Automate?
Choose n8n if you:
- Need Workflow automation
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Self-hosted
- Value Visual editor
Choose Microsoft Power Automate if you:
- Need Automated flows
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Cloud
- Value Instant flows
Frequently Asked Questions: n8n vs Microsoft Power Automate
Is n8n better than Microsoft Power Automate?
It depends on your needs. n8n has a 4.6/5 user rating while Microsoft Power Automate has 4.3/5. n8n excels in Workflow automation and Visual editor, while Microsoft Power Automate stands out with Automated flows and Instant flows. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, n8n or Microsoft Power Automate?
n8n offers a free plan and starts at Free. Microsoft Power Automate offers a free plan and starts at Free. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use n8n and Microsoft Power Automate together?
While both are automation & integration tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core automation & integration needs.
What are the main differences between n8n and Microsoft Power Automate?
The key differences include: pricing model (hybrid vs per-flow), platform support (Web, Self-hosted vs Web, Cloud, Desktop), and feature focus. n8n emphasizes Workflow automation, Visual editor, Conditional execution while Microsoft Power Automate focuses on Automated flows, Instant flows, Scheduled flows. User ratings differ slightly: 4.6 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both n8n and Microsoft Power Automate.