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Software · head to head

n8n vs Stoplight

n8n logo

n8n

Software

The fair-code workflow automation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stoplight logo

Stoplight

Software

API design, documentation, and governance platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: n8n starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions; Stoplight the free plan allows one project and one user
  • They diverge on capability: n8n covers Workflow automation, Stoplight covers API Design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which n8n and Stoplight actually diverge.

Attributes where n8n and Stoplight differ
Attributen8nStoplight
PlatformsWeb, Docker, Self-hostedWeb, Cloud
Founded20192014

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 Stoplight

  • API Design
  • API Documentation
  • Governance
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • Azure DevOps
  • Web support
  • Cloud support

Both cover

  • GitHub

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

Stoplight

  • Designing and documenting OpenAPI specifications visuallynot n8n
  • Serving interactive API docs and instant mock servers from a specnot 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

Stoplight

  • The free plan allows one project and one user
  • Private projects, multi branch support and custom domains start at the Startup plan, $113 a month billed annually
  • SSO and shared style guides are Pro Team only, at $362 a month billed annually
  • Seats beyond each plan's allowance are $11 to $27 each per month depending on tier and billing period

Pricing, plan by plan

n8n

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the n8n review.

Stoplight

Free
  • FreeFree
    • API design
    • Documentation
    • Community support
  • Pro$75/monthly
    • Governance
    • Advanced testing
    • Team collaboration
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • SLA
    • Priority support

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 Stoplight if

  • You need api design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want api documentation.
Stoplight review

Questions people ask

Is n8n or Stoplight better?
Neither clearly leads. n8n starts at Free and Stoplight at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, n8n or Stoplight?
n8n starts at Free and Stoplight at Free.
Does n8n or Stoplight run on more platforms?
n8n runs on Web, Docker, Self-hosted. Stoplight runs on Web, Cloud.
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 Stoplight is typically brought in for.
What can n8n do that Stoplight cannot?
n8n covers Workflow automation, Visual editor, Conditional execution, Looping. Stoplight covers API Design, API Documentation, Governance, GitLab. Both handle GitHub.
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Related pages

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