Head-to-Head
n8n vs Windmill (2026)
n8n
Freemium★ 4.6
Windmill
Freemium★ 4.5
n8n and Windmill are both developer-oriented workflow and automation platforms, but they take different approaches to the same problem. n8n is a visual node-based automation tool - you connect pre-built nodes for 350+ apps and services, and write JavaScript or Python in code nodes when needed. Windmill is a code-first platform where you write actual Python, TypeScript, Go, or Bash scripts, then chain them visually and schedule or trigger them. n8n is better for teams who want visual automation with occasional code; Windmill is better for engineering teams who want to write and deploy scripts without managing infrastructure. Both are open-source and self-hostable. n8n has a significantly larger integration library; Windmill has a more powerful execution environment for complex scripts and data pipelines.
Feature Comparison
Integration Library
n8n has 350+ native app integrations. Windmill relies on writing code to call APIs - fewer pre-built connectors.
Code Execution
n8n supports JS/Python in nodes. Windmill runs full scripts in Python, TypeScript, Go, Bash with proper package management.
Non-Technical Accessibility
n8n is usable by technical non-developers. Windmill requires coding ability.
Script Infrastructure
Windmill handles scheduling, secrets, permissions, and execution environments - full script platform. n8n is workflow-focused.
AI Workflow Support
n8n has dedicated AI nodes for LLM calls, agent loops, and vector stores. Windmill AI features are more basic.
Self-Hosting
Both support self-hosting. Windmill is designed from the ground up for this; n8n requires more ops work at scale.
Pricing Model
Both are free to self-host. Cloud plans are similarly priced. n8n charges by workflow executions; Windmill by compute.
Verdict
This comparison is context-dependent. n8n scores 28/35 and Windmill scores 26/35. Choose based on your specific workflow needs.
Bottom Line
n8n and Windmill are both open-source automation platforms that compete with Zapier and Make but target different use cases. n8n is the mature open-source workflow tool with 400+ integrations, visual node editor, and broad community adoption. Windmill is the developer-first newcomer that treats automation more like internal-tool building: scripts, flows, and apps in one platform with strong dev ergonomics. n8n Cloud Starter is $20/mo; self-hosted is free. Windmill Cloud Pro is $10/user/mo; self-hosted is free. Pick n8n for traditional workflow automation. Pick Windmill when you want code-first automation plus internal-tool building.
Pick n8n
You want a Zapier or Make replacement that is open-source, self-hostable, and built around visual workflow editing. n8n maturity and integration count make it the leading open-source pick. Best for ops teams, indie hackers, and any company that needs self-hosted automation.
Pick Windmill
You write code and want automation that feels like writing scripts and flows together with internal-tool UI in one platform. Windmill TypeScript and Python execution plus app builder is powerful. Best for developer-led teams and platform engineers.
Frequently asked
Are both really self-hostable?
Yes. n8n self-hosted is widely deployed and well-documented. Windmill self-hosted is similarly straightforward, with Postgres and Docker as the main dependencies. For air-gapped or compliance use cases, both work.
Which has more integrations?
n8n, by a wide margin (400+ vs Windmill 100+). For wide app coverage, n8n wins. Windmill makes up some of the gap by exposing TypeScript and Python imports for any npm or PyPI package.
Is Windmill more developer-friendly?
Yes. Code-first with full TypeScript and Python (and Go and Bash and Deno) plus a UI builder for internal tools makes it feel more like a platform-engineering toolkit than a workflow tool.
Should I just use Zapier?
For non-technical teams or no-self-hosting requirements, yes. n8n and Windmill shine when you need code, self-hosting, or higher quotas at lower cost. The open-source story is the differentiator.