Wo
Workato4.6/5vsn8
n8n (Self-hosted)4.5/5Workato vs n8n (Self-hosted) (March 2026)
| WoWorkato | n8n8n (Self-hosted) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10,000/yr | Free |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Free Tier | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Enterprise IT for ticket escalation and compliance automation, HR departments for onboarding and payroll processes | Technical teams and developers needing custom automations, Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness |
Quick Verdict
Workato edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating versus n8n (Self-hosted)'s 4.5/5, offering stronger value for most teams.
Quick Overview
Wo
Workato
Workato is the #1 iPaaS for enterprise automation, enabling no-code connections across apps, AI-driven agents, and scala...
- Best for: Enterprise IT for ticket escalation and compliance automation, HR departments for onboarding and payroll processes
- Starting price: $10,000/yr
- Category: Automation Tools
- Founded: 2013
- Pricing model: usage-based
n8
n8n (Self-hosted)
Open-source workflow automation platform that combines visual no-code editing with full code flexibility for building co...
- Best for: Technical teams and developers needing custom automations, Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Automation Tools
- Founded: 2019
- Pricing model: freemium
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Workato | n8n (Self-hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| No-code workflow builder | ✓ | ✗ |
| 1400+ pre-built connectors | ✓ | ✗ |
| Data orchestration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Insights dashboard | ✓ | ✗ |
| Workbot | ✓ | ✗ |
| API platform | ✓ | ✗ |
| Event streams | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI by Workato | ✓ | ✗ |
| Actions by LLM Accelerator | ✓ | ✗ |
| Agentic orchestration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Enterprise security | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi-department automation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Visual Workflow Editor | ✗ | ✓ |
| Code Flexibility | ✗ | ✓ |
| 400+ Integrations | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI & LangChain Integration | ✗ | ✓ |
| Self-hosting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Git Version Control | ✗ | ✓ |
| Advanced Debugging | ✗ | ✓ |
| Queue Mode Scaling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Enterprise Security | ✗ | ✓ |
| Template Library | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
Workato
$10,000/yr
Starting price
usage-based · 3 plans
Starter
$10,000/yrProPopular
$20,000/yrEnterprise
$50,000/yrn8n (Self-hosted)
Free
Starting price
freemium · 3 plans
Self-hostedPopular
FreeCloud Community
FreeCloud Enterprise
$50/moPros & Cons
Workato
Pros
- Enterprise-grade scalability and security for mission-critical workflows
- 7x Gartner Leader with furthest vision recognition
- Lower TCO than RPA with self-maintaining infrastructure
- Supports complex multi-department automations
Cons
- Opaque pricing with high enterprise-focused starting costs
- Steep learning curve for advanced recipes despite no-code claims
- Consumption-based billing can escalate with high task volumes
- Limited free tier with only 100 AI actions per day
n8n (Self-hosted)
Pros
- Completely free self-hosted version with unlimited usage
- Hybrid visual/code approach suits both developers and non-coders
- Extensive integration library with 400+ pre-built connectors
- Strong AI capabilities with LangChain and custom model support
Cons
- Steeper learning curve compared to pure no-code tools
- Requires technical knowledge for self-hosting and maintenance
- Cloud pricing can become expensive for high-volume usage
- Less hand-holding for beginners than traditional automation tools
Which Is Best for You?
Wo
Choose Workato if:
- Enterprise IT for ticket escalation and compliance automation
- HR departments for onboarding and payroll processes
- Sales and marketing teams for lead routing and ABM orchestration
- Finance teams for quote-to-cash and procurement workflows
- Higher user rating matters to you (4.6 vs 4.5)
n8
Choose n8n (Self-hosted) if:
- Technical teams and developers needing custom automations
- Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness
- Organizations requiring data sovereignty and on-premises hosting
- Teams building AI-powered workflows and complex integrations
- You want to start with a free plan
- Budget is a priority (Free vs $10,000)
Our Verdict
🏆
WoWorkato — Winnern8n8n (Self-hosted) — Runner-up
After thorough analysis, Workato takes the lead in this comparison with a higher rating of 4.6/5 versus n8n (Self-hosted)'s 4.5/5.
Workato is best for Enterprise IT for ticket escalation and compliance automation and HR departments for onboarding and payroll processes. Enterprise-grade scalability and security for mission-critical workflows.
n8n (Self-hosted) remains a strong alternative, especially for Technical teams and developers needing custom automations and Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness. Completely free self-hosted version with unlimited usage.
Pricing-wise, n8n (Self-hosted) is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.
Explore More
Workato Alternatives
n8n (Self-hosted) Alternatives
Category Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Workato edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating versus n8n (Self-hosted)'s 4.5/5, offering stronger value for most teams.
n8n (Self-hosted) starts at Free/mo (free tier available), while Workato starts at $10,000/yr.
Yes. Most users can migrate data between the two. Check both platforms for import/export tools before switching.
Workato integrates with Salesforce, NetSuite, Jira, Slack. n8n (Self-hosted) integrates with Salesforce, Slack, Gmail, Asana. Both offer solid third-party connectivity, though the best choice depends on your existing tech stack.
Both tools are designed for ease of use. Workato is best for Enterprise IT for ticket escalation and compliance automation and HR departments for onboarding and payroll processes, while n8n (Self-hosted) excels for Technical teams and developers needing custom automations and Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
Workato has a 4.6/5 rating from 1,200 reviews, while n8n (Self-hosted) scores 4.5/5 from 1,250 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, n8n (Self-hosted) may be more budget-friendly starting at Free. However, Workato ($10,000/yr) could offer better value depending on the features you need most.
For enterprise use, consider which offers more advanced plans. Workato has 3 plans while n8n (Self-hosted) has 3 plans. Evaluate each tool's enterprise features, security compliance, and team management capabilities before committing.
Check each tool's website for the latest mobile app availability. Both Workato and n8n (Self-hosted) offer web-based access, and many modern SaaS tools provide companion mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose Workato if you prioritize enterprise-grade scalability and security for mission-critical workflows. Choose n8n (Self-hosted) if you value completely free self-hosted version with unlimited usage and want a free tier.