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Software · head to head

n8n vs Slack Workflow Builder

n8n logo

n8n

Software

The fair-code workflow automation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Slack Workflow Builder logo

Slack Workflow Builder

Software

Automation for team collaboration

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only n8n has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: n8n starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions; Slack Workflow Builder limited to Pro and above pricing tiers, requiring paid Slack subscription
  • They diverge on capability: n8n covers Workflow automation, Slack Workflow Builder covers Workflow builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which n8n and Slack Workflow Builder actually diverge.

Attributes where n8n and Slack Workflow Builder differ
Attributen8nSlack Workflow Builder
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Docker, Self-hostedWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Founded20192013

Identical on both: 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
  • Scheduling
  • Webhooks
  • 400+ integrations
  • HTTP requests

Only in Slack Workflow Builder

  • Workflow builder
  • App integrations
  • Scheduled workflows
  • Conditional logic
  • Notifications
  • Analytics
  • 1000+ apps
  • Custom webhooks

Both cover

  • Error handling
  • REST API
  • Cloud deployment

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 Slack Workflow Builder
  • Visual workflow design with capability to write custom JavaScript or Python codenot Slack Workflow Builder
  • Enterprise deployments with self-hosted or cloud optionsnot Slack Workflow Builder
  • Integrating 500+ pre-built applications with custom API connectionsnot Slack Workflow Builder

Slack Workflow Builder

  • Workflow Automationnot n8n
  • Data Integrationnot n8n
  • Process Automationnot n8n
  • App Integrationnot n8n
  • API Connectivitynot n8n

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

Slack Workflow Builder

  • Limited to Pro and above pricing tiers, requiring paid Slack subscription
  • Maximum 15 conditional branches per workflow, limiting complex logic paths
  • Connectors must be explicitly configured per integration type
  • No native web interface for non-Slack users

Pricing, plan by plan

n8n

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the n8n review.

Slack Workflow Builder

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Slack Workflow Builder 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 Slack Workflow Builder if

  • You need workflow builder.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want app integrations.
Slack Workflow Builder review

Questions people ask

Is n8n or Slack Workflow Builder better?
Neither clearly leads. n8n starts at Free and Slack Workflow Builder at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, n8n or Slack Workflow Builder?
n8n has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for n8n and On request for Slack Workflow Builder.
Does n8n or Slack Workflow Builder run on more platforms?
n8n runs on Web, Docker, Self-hosted. Slack Workflow Builder runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
Can I use n8n for free?
Yes. n8n has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Slack Workflow Builder starts at On request.
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 Slack Workflow Builder is typically brought in for.
What can n8n do that Slack Workflow Builder cannot?
n8n covers Workflow automation, Visual editor, Conditional execution, Looping. Slack Workflow Builder covers Workflow builder, App integrations, Scheduled workflows, Conditional logic. Both handle Error handling, REST API, Cloud deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Slack Workflow Builder: Is Slack Workflow Builder included in all Slack plans?

No, Workflow Builder is only available in Slack Pro, Business+, and Enterprise plans. It is not included in the Free plan.

Source
Slack Workflow Builder: Can Workflow Builder connect to external applications?

Yes, Workflow Builder supports connectors that translate actions in Slack to instant results in third-party tools, allowing workflows to interact with your full application stack.

Source
Slack Workflow Builder: What is the maximum complexity of Slack Workflows?

Workflows support conditional logic with up to 15 conditions, enabling complex decision paths for automation.

Source
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