AiCensus.

§ Comparison · Updated May 2026

n8n vs CrewAI.

n8n and CrewAI 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

n8n

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

Best value

CrewAI

open-source and self-hostable pricing — the lowest-friction option of the group.

Broadest feature set

n8n

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

OSS / self-host

CrewAI

Open-source — the only option in this group you can self-host or fork.

§ Spec sheet

n8n
n8n

The fair-code workflow automation platform — 400+ integrations with native AI capabilities and MCP server support.

CrewAI
CrewAI

Build teams of AI agents that collaborate — role-based multi-agent orchestration framework.

Rating
4.5
4.3
PricingFreemiumOpen source
CategoryAI AgentsAI Agents
Features
  • • 400+ app integrations
  • • Native AI capabilities with LLM chaining
  • • MCP server support
  • • Self-hosted or cloud options
  • • Visual workflow builder with code when needed
  • • Role-based agent definition
  • • Multi-agent collaboration
  • • Task delegation and planning
  • • Tool integration per agent
  • • Sequential and hierarchical workflows
Pros
  • + Open-source and self-hostable
  • + Much more flexible than Zapier
  • + Native AI workflow support
  • + Intuitive role-based design
  • + Active community
  • + Great documentation
Cons
  • − Steeper learning curve than no-code tools
  • − Self-hosting requires technical knowledge
  • − Some integrations less polished than competitors
  • − Can be slow with many agents
  • − Debugging multi-agent flows is hard
  • − Token usage adds up quickly
Use Cases
AI agent workflow orchestrationBusiness process automationData pipeline creationCRM and marketing automation
Automated research teamsContent creation pipelinesData analysis workflowsCustomer service automation
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§ Best for

Pick n8n for

Developers and DevOps teams who need ai agent workflow orchestration.

Read full review →

Pick CrewAI for

AI developers who need automated research teams.

Read full review →

§ Common questions

n8n vs CrewAI — which is better?

It depends on what you're optimizing for. n8n edges CrewAI on our editor rating (4.5 vs 4.3), 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 n8n over CrewAI?

Pick n8n when ai agent workflow orchestration matters more than CrewAI's strengths in automated research teams. 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.

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Editorial verdicts, not algorithmicDisagree? Tell us →