AutomationComparisonDeveloper Tools
n8n vs Activepieces vs Windmill: Open Automation Compared
Jasmin BhesaniyaMar 29, 20268 min read
Zapier made automation mainstream, but per-task pricing adds up fast. These three open-source platforms let you run unlimited workflows on your own terms.
n8n — the power user's choice
n8n offers a visual editor with 400+ integrations and the ability to drop into code whenever you need it. Its newer AI nodes make it excellent for agent-style workflows.
- Strength: breadth of integrations and flexibility.
- Watch out for: the fair-code license restricts reselling it as a service.
Activepieces — the truly open option
Activepieces is MIT-licensed with no strings attached. The catalog is smaller, but writing your own "pieces" in TypeScript is straightforward.
- Strength: permissive license and easy extensibility.
- Watch out for: fewer prebuilt integrations than n8n.
Windmill — for developers
Windmill turns scripts in Python, TypeScript, Go, and Bash into workflows, APIs, and internal UIs, powered by a fast Rust engine.
- Strength: code-first automation and performance.
- Watch out for: less approachable for non-developers.
Quick decision guide
| You want... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Maximum integrations | n8n |
| A no-restrictions license | Activepieces |
| Script-driven workflows | Windmill |
All three self-host with a single command. Compare them directly on our Zapier alternatives page.