§ Comparison · Updated May 2026

Dify vs n8n.

Dify and n8n are frequently shortlisted together. Both compete in the ai agents space, so the right pick comes down to pricing model, ecosystem, and the specific features you'll lean on. This page lays out the spec sheet, an editor verdict, and answers to the questions people search before choosing.

§ Verdict

Highest rated

Dify

Editor score 4.5/5 — leads on overall quality across our evaluation.

Best value

Dify

freemium with paid tiers pricing — the lowest-friction option of the group.

Broadest feature set

Dify

5 headline features — the most all-in-one option.

§ Spec sheet

Rating

Dify

4.5

n8n

4.5

Pricing

Dify

Freemium

n8n

Freemium

Category

Dify

AI Agents

n8n

AI Agents

Features

Dify

  • Visual agent and workflow builder
  • RAG and knowledge bases
  • Multi-model support
  • API and embed deployment
  • Self-hosting option

n8n

  • 400+ app integrations
  • Native AI capabilities with LLM chaining
  • MCP server support
  • Self-hosted or cloud options
  • Visual workflow builder with code when needed

Pros

Dify

  • + Fast path from prototype to deployed app
  • + Strong open-source community and templates

n8n

  • + Open-source and self-hostable
  • + Much more flexible than Zapier
  • + Native AI workflow support

Cons

Dify

  • Self-hosting requires ops effort
  • Less polished than single-vendor SaaS for non-technical users

n8n

  • Steeper learning curve than no-code tools
  • Self-hosting requires technical knowledge
  • Some integrations less polished than competitors

Use Cases

Dify

Internal AI assistantsCustomer support botsRAG over company docsAgent prototyping

n8n

AI agent workflow orchestrationBusiness process automationData pipeline creationCRM and marketing automation

Visit

§ Best for

§ Common questions

Dify vs n8n — which is better?

It depends on what you're optimizing for. Both score 4.5 on our editor rating, but ratings are a coarse signal. The verdict above breaks down which one wins for budget, feature breadth, and self-hosting.

Are these tools free?

Yes — every tool here has a free or freemium tier. The differences are in usage limits, advanced features, and how aggressive each free tier is.

When should I pick Dify over n8n?

Pick Dify when internal ai assistants matters more than n8n's strengths in ai agent workflow orchestration. The "best for" callouts above translate this into concrete personas.

Are there other tools to consider?

Yes — every tool in this comparison has its own alternatives page that ranks the closest competitors. Click any tool name to drill into its full review and alternatives list.

§ Related comparisons

Editorial verdicts, not algorithmicDisagree? Tell us →