CrewAI vs n8n
Detailed comparison between CrewAI and n8n. Which one to choose for your project?
C
CrewAI
4.6/5 · 28
N
n8n
4.8/5 · 182
Our verdict is revealed after the rounds. Scroll for the analysis →
Head to Head
CrewAI
Build, deploy and manage autonomous multi-agent AI crews
4.6/5 (28 reviews)
Price
Free plan available Key features
- Role-based agent teams collaborating autonomously
- Event-driven orchestration for production
- Pure Python, lean, no lock-in
- Extensible tool ecosystem and GitHub
Our recommendation
n8n
Open source automation for developers
4.8/5 (182 reviews)
Price
Free plan available Key features
- Open source, self-hostable
- Native connectors + generic HTTP
- JavaScript and Python in workflows
- AI agents with tools and memory
CrewAI vs n8n — Specs at a glance
| Criteria | CrewAI | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 · 28 reviews | 4.8/5 · 182 reviews |
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting price | Free plan + paid from Free | Free plan + paid from $20/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Python developers and engineering teams building production multi-agent workflows | Technical teams wanting AI automations without vendor lock-in |
CrewAI — Pros and Cons
Pros
- Truly open-source (MIT) and free to self-host
- Independent, lean core with no LangChain dependency
- Massive adoption (50k+ GitHub stars, 27M+ PyPI downloads)
- Clear path from free framework to enterprise deployment
Cons
- Multi-agent runs are token-hungry (API costs)
- Opaque production/enterprise pricing (contact sales)
- Steeper learning curve than no-code builders
n8n — Pros and Cons
Pros
- Open source and self-hostable
- Very powerful no-code and code mix
- Natively built-in AI agents
- Active community
Cons
- Learning curve for non-developers
- Fewer integrations than Zapier
- Auto-hosting = maintenance
Frequently asked questions
Which one is cheaper: CrewAI or n8n?
Both CrewAI and n8n offer a free plan, so you can start with either at no cost. CrewAI has the lowest paid entry point (Free plan + paid from Free).
Does CrewAI or n8n offer a free plan?
Yes, both CrewAI and n8n offer a free plan.
Which has the higher user rating, CrewAI or n8n?
n8n has a higher user rating: 4.8/5 (182 reviews) versus 4.6/5 (28 reviews) for CrewAI.
What is CrewAI best for compared to n8n?
CrewAI is best for python developers and engineering teams building production multi-agent workflows. n8n is best for technical teams wanting ai automations without vendor lock-in. Choose based on which use case matches your needs.
Should I choose CrewAI or n8n?
Pick CrewAI if you need python developers and engineering teams building production multi-agent workflows, and n8n for technical teams wanting ai automations without vendor lock-in. CrewAI has the lower entry price (Free plan + paid from Free), while n8n edges ahead on user ratings at 4.8/5. Try any free plan before you commit.
