Microsoft Power Automate vs n8n
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading automation & integration solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Microsoft Power Automate if you need Automated flows and prefer a free starting option. Choose n8n if you prioritize Workflow automation and want a free tier to start. n8n has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.3).
Microsoft Power Automate vs n8n: At a Glance
| Criteria | Microsoft Power Automate | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3 | 4.6 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | per-flow | hybrid |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Cloud, Desktop | Web, Self-hosted |
| Category | Automation & Integration | Automation & Integration |
| Founded | 2016 | 2019 |
Feature Comparison: Microsoft Power Automate vs n8n
| Feature | Microsoft Power Automate | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Automated flows | ||
| Instant flows | ||
| Scheduled flows | ||
| Desktop automation | ||
| Process mining | ||
| Business process flows | ||
| Approval workflows | ||
| 500+ connectors | ||
| Microsoft 365 | ||
| Salesforce | ||
| SharePoint | ||
| Dynamics 365 | ||
| SAP | ||
| Oracle | ||
| Custom APIs | ||
| Workflow automation | ||
| Visual editor | ||
| Conditional execution | ||
| Looping | ||
| Error handling | ||
| Scheduling | ||
| Webhooks | ||
| REST API | ||
| 400+ integrations | ||
| HTTP requests | ||
| Custom nodes | ||
| Slack | ||
| GitHub | ||
| Google Workspace |
Microsoft Power Automate vs n8n: Pricing Breakdown
Microsoft Power Automate Pricing
Model: per-flow
- Automated flows
- Instant flows
- Limited actions
- Basic support
- Unlimited actions
- Advanced features
- Premium connectors
- Email support
- Process mining
- Desktop flows
- Advanced automation
- Priority support
n8n Pricing
Model: hybrid
- Self-hosted
- Open-source
- Community support
- Full feature set
- Cloud hosted
- Limited executions
- Basic support
- Cloud hosted
- 5000 executions/month
- Priority support
- Team features
Pros and Cons
Microsoft Power Automate
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Cloud, Desktop)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Automated flows functionality
- Strong Instant flows functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
n8n
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.6/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Workflow automation functionality
- Strong Visual editor functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Microsoft Power Automate vs n8n?
Choose Microsoft Power Automate if you:
- Need Automated flows
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Cloud
- Value Instant flows
Choose n8n if you:
- Need Workflow automation
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Self-hosted
- Value Visual editor
Frequently Asked Questions: Microsoft Power Automate vs n8n
Is Microsoft Power Automate better than n8n?
It depends on your needs. Microsoft Power Automate has a 4.3/5 user rating while n8n has 4.6/5. Microsoft Power Automate excels in Automated flows and Instant flows, while n8n stands out with Workflow automation and Visual editor. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Power Automate or n8n?
Microsoft Power Automate offers a free plan and starts at Free. n8n offers a free plan and starts at Free. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Microsoft Power Automate and n8n together?
While both are automation & integration tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core automation & integration needs.
What are the main differences between Microsoft Power Automate and n8n?
The key differences include: pricing model (per-flow vs hybrid), platform support (Web, Cloud, Desktop vs Web, Self-hosted), and feature focus. Microsoft Power Automate emphasizes Automated flows, Instant flows, Scheduled flows while n8n focuses on Workflow automation, Visual editor, Conditional execution. User ratings differ slightly: 4.3 vs 4.6 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Microsoft Power Automate and n8n.