TL;DR
- Best for self-hosted visual workflow automation: n8n (GetApp 4.6/5, self-hosted free with zero per-execution cost, visual canvas with branching/loops/error handling, JavaScript code nodes, 350+ integrations, fair-code license — source available but not MIT, AI nodes for LLM integration, cloud from $20/mo, 42K+ GitHub stars)
- Best for automation connected to AI forms, data, email, and agents: TinyWorkflows (100+ integrations, natively connected to TinyForms, TinyTables, TinyEmails, TinyAgents, free tier)
- Pricing: n8n self-hosted free (unlimited). Cloud $20/mo (2,500 executions). Pro $50/mo. TinyCommand free (1,000 credits, all 5 products), paid from $19/mo.
- The core difference: n8n is the automation platform developers self-host when they want Zapier-level power with Make-level visual building and zero per-execution cost. Run it on a $5/month VPS and automate as much as you want — no task limits, no execution caps, no scaling fees. JavaScript code nodes handle any custom logic. The visual canvas builds complex workflows with branching, loops, and error handling. TinyWorkflows is automation inside a platform — connected natively to forms, databases, email, and AI agents. n8n maximizes automation control and cost efficiency. TinyWorkflows maximizes automation connectivity and AI intelligence.
| Feature | TinyWorkflows | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted option | ✗ | ✓ (free, unlimited) |
| Cloud pricing | $49/mo (all-in-one) | €24/mo (2,500 executions) |
| Integrations | 100+ | 400+ |
| Custom code nodes | ✗ | ✓ (JavaScript/Python) |
| Native forms | ✓ (TinyForms) | ✗ |
| Native database | ✓ (TinyTables) | ✗ |
| Native email | ✓ (TinyEmails) | ✗ |
| AI agents | ✓ (TinyAgents) | ✗ (AI nodes only) |
| G2 rating | N/A | 4.8/5 |
| Open source | ✗ | ✓ |
We used to run our lead enrichment through five different tools. With TinyCommand, it is just one flow.
— Ankit Solanki, InVideo
n8n has become the automation platform of choice for technical teams that value three things: self-hosting (data stays on your server), visual building (flowchart-style workflow canvas), and cost efficiency (zero per-execution charges on self-hosted). With 42,000+ GitHub stars, it is one of the most popular open-source-adjacent projects in the automation space. The fair-code license (Sustainable Use License) makes the source code available for inspection and self-hosting — though it restricts some commercial uses, unlike Activepieces' MIT license.
The visual canvas is n8n's UX advantage over code-based automation tools. Each workflow is a flowchart — nodes connected by lines, with branching paths, merge points, loops, and error handlers visible at a glance. You see the entire automation logic as a visual diagram. When something fails, you see exactly which node failed and what data it received. This visual debugging is dramatically faster than reading log files or tracing API calls in code.
JavaScript code nodes are n8n's power user feature. When a pre-built integration does not do exactly what you need, write JavaScript. Transform data structures, parse complex formats, apply custom business logic, call any API. These code nodes bridge the gap between no-code simplicity and developer power — visual building for standard operations, code for edge cases.
The self-hosted cost model is n8n's economic argument: run it on a $5/month VPS and automate unlimited workflows with zero per-execution charges. Zapier at comparable volume costs $100-$300/month. Make costs $50-$200/month. n8n self-hosted: $5/month for the server. The cost advantage at scale is dramatic.
TinyWorkflows does not self-host, does not offer JavaScript nodes, and has fewer integrations (100+ vs 350+). But it IS the tools — forms, database, email, AI agents — that n8n connects to separately.
Where Each Tool Wins
Where n8n wins
Self-hosted free. $5/month VPS. Unlimited workflows, unlimited executions, zero per-task charges. The cheapest automation at scale.
Visual canvas. Flowchart-style workflow builder with branching, loops, error handling. See the entire logic at a glance. Debug visually.
JavaScript code nodes. Write custom logic when integrations are insufficient. Developer power within visual workflows.
350+ integrations. More native connectors than TinyWorkflows' 100+. HTTP Request for unlimited API access.
42K+ GitHub stars. Massive developer community. Shared templates. Active contributions.
AI on your infrastructure. Call LLMs from self-hosted n8n — your API keys, your data, your server.
Where TinyWorkflows wins
All-in-one platform. Automation + forms + database + email + AI agents. n8n is automation middleware — everything else needs separate tools and subscriptions.
No DevOps. Cloud SaaS. No Docker. No server. No SSL. No updates. n8n requires technical infrastructure management.
AI-native. TinyAgents with 7 LLMs at each step — native to the platform. n8n calls AI through API nodes — functional but not native.
Total cost advantage. $19/month for 5 products. n8n $5 + Typeform $39 + Airtable $20 + Mailchimp $20 + AI $20 = $104/month. Same capabilities, 5x cheaper.
Non-technical users. Business users build workflows. n8n requires developer skills.
Self-hosted automation power vs platform-native AI automation
n8n's 350+ integrations cover business tools comprehensively — Google Workspace, Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, Stripe, GitHub, Notion, Airtable, and every major SaaS application. HTTP Request nodes connect to any REST API that n8n does not have a native integration for — effectively making n8n's integration count unlimited for developers who can configure API calls.
The AI capabilities are growing rapidly. n8n has AI nodes for calling OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), and other LLMs within workflows. AI-powered workflows can: read a support ticket → classify urgency with GPT-4 → draft a response with Claude → send via email → log in CRM. These AI workflows run on your self-hosted infrastructure — your AI API keys, your data, your server. For companies that need AI automation without sending data to third-party SaaS platforms, self-hosted n8n with AI nodes provides data control that cloud platforms cannot match.
The community contributes nodes, shares workflow templates, and provides support through forums. The 42,000+ GitHub stars represent genuine developer enthusiasm — not just downloads but engagement, contributions, and advocacy. For technical teams evaluating automation tools, community size is a proxy for long-term viability and ecosystem richness.
But n8n requires technical operation. Self-hosting means managing Docker containers, configuring databases (PostgreSQL or SQLite), handling SSL certificates, monitoring uptime, and applying updates. The visual canvas is intuitive for building workflows, but understanding data structures, API authentication, and JavaScript syntax is needed for advanced use. Non-technical business users cannot operate n8n independently.
The fair-code license creates uncertainty for some businesses. The Sustainable Use License restricts using n8n to compete with n8n or offering it as a service. For most internal automation use: no restriction. For companies building products that include workflow automation: consult legal about whether the license applies. Activepieces (MIT) and Automatisch (AGPL) offer clearer licensing for commercial embedding.
n8n does not include a form builder, a database with AI columns, an email campaign tool, or an AI agent system with per-step model selection. These capabilities require separate tools connected through n8n workflows — Typeform for forms ($39/month), Airtable for database ($20/user), Mailchimp for email ($20/month), OpenAI for AI ($20/month). The automation is cheap. The total stack adds up.
TinyWorkflows includes the tools natively. TinyForms captures data with 40+ question types and payment collection. TinyTables stores and enriches with AI columns. TinyEmails sends AI-drafted campaigns. TinyAgents reasons with 7 LLM providers. The automation connects to these products through one data layer — no integration configuration needed.
n8n self-hosted: $5/month server + $99/month in separate tools = $104/month total stack. TinyCommand: $19/month for all 5 products. If you have DevOps and want maximum control: n8n gives you control at $5/month for automation + whatever you spend on external tools. If you want everything in one platform without server management: TinyCommand gives you 5 products at $19/month.
Who should choose what
Choose TinyWorkflows if:
- You want automation + forms + database + email + AI agents in one platform — no separate tools
- No self-hosting — cloud SaaS without Docker, databases, or server administration
- AI agents with 7 LLM providers add intelligence at each workflow step natively
- $19/month for 5 products is cheaper than n8n ($5) + forms ($39) + database ($20) + email ($20) + AI ($20)
- Non-technical business users build and manage workflows without JavaScript or API knowledge
- 100+ app integrations cover your needs alongside native TinyCommand products
- Free tier with all products lets you build the pipeline immediately
Choose n8n if:
- Self-hosting on your server with zero per-execution cost is your automation model
- Visual canvas with branching, loops, and error handling makes complex workflows manageable
- JavaScript code nodes handle custom logic that no-code cannot express
- 350+ integrations + HTTP Request cover virtually any tool connection
- 42K+ GitHub stars validate the project's community strength and longevity
- AI nodes (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini) run on your infrastructure with your API keys
- Your team includes developers who can manage Docker, APIs, and JavaScript
- $5/month VPS hosting with unlimited automation beats $20-$300/month SaaS pricing
This comparison also applies to
- Teams comparing TinyWorkflows with Zapier (cloud SaaS automation at higher price)
- Teams comparing TinyWorkflows with Make (visual cloud automation)
- Teams comparing TinyWorkflows with Activepieces (MIT-licensed open-source automation)
- Developers evaluating self-hosted vs cloud automation approaches
- Teams calculating total automation stack cost (middleware + tools vs all-in-one platform)
