n8n vs Power Automate: Which Fits Your Organisation?
n8n is an open-source tool you can self-host, with no per-execution fees and broad API support. Power Automate is part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem with deep Office 365 integration and a simpler learning curve for Microsoft-heavy organisations. Choose n8n if you need cost control at scale or data sovereignty. Choose Power Automate if your team lives in Microsoft tools.
n8n and Power Automate both automate workflows between apps. Which one fits your organisation depends on your tech stack, data-control needs, and technical capacity.
Licensing: Open Source vs Subscription
n8n is open source under a fair-code license. The self-hosted version costs nothing to run beyond your server costs. Power Automate is a Microsoft subscription product. It is included in many Microsoft 365 plans at a basic level, but high-volume flows and premium connectors require additional licences. At low automation volumes, Power Automate may cost nothing extra if you already have a qualifying Microsoft 365 plan. At higher volumes or with many premium connectors, n8n’s cost model is more predictable.
Integrations: Breadth vs Depth
n8n covers over 400 integrations, including CRMs, databases, cloud storage, payment processors, and APIs outside the Microsoft ecosystem. Its HTTP Request node means it can connect to essentially any REST API. Power Automate has strong native connectors for Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Dynamics) and a reasonable set of third-party connectors. For workflows that touch non-Microsoft services heavily, n8n is generally better equipped. For workflows that live inside Microsoft 365, Power Automate’s native integration is tighter.
Self-Hosted vs SaaS
n8n can run entirely on your own infrastructure. Your automation data never leaves your servers, which matters for organisations handling personal data, financial records, or confidential information under GDPR or similar regulations. Power Automate is a cloud product managed by Microsoft. For regulated industries or organisations with strict data residency requirements, this difference is significant. Read What is n8n for more on the self-hosting model.
Learning Curve
Both tools use a visual, node-based interface. Power Automate is built for Microsoft’s existing user base, so if your team already knows Microsoft 365, the concepts transfer easily. The UI is polished and aimed at non-technical users. n8n is also accessible to non-developers for standard workflows, but it rewards users who understand data structures and APIs. The Code node in n8n allows JavaScript for complex logic, which adds power but also complexity. To see how n8n handles a real workflow, read creating your first n8n workflow.
When to Choose n8n
Choose n8n if your workflows connect non-Microsoft services, you need to process a high volume of automations without per-execution costs, your organisation requires data to stay on your own infrastructure, or you want the flexibility to write custom logic in JavaScript. n8n is also a better fit if you are already self-hosting other tools or have technical capacity to manage a server.
When to Choose Power Automate
Choose Power Automate if your team works primarily in Microsoft 365, you need tight integration with SharePoint approval workflows or Teams notifications, or you want a tool that non-technical staff can maintain without server management. Power Automate is also the better choice when your organisation already has Microsoft licensing that includes it.
Our tip: Before choosing, list the five workflows you want to automate first and check whether the required connectors are available natively in each tool. That practical test tells you more than any feature comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between n8n and Power Automate?
The core difference is the business model and ecosystem. Power Automate is a Microsoft product included in many Microsoft 365 subscriptions, with deep integration into Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, and Dynamics 365. n8n is open source and works with a far broader set of non-Microsoft services. n8n can be self-hosted, meaning your data does not have to leave your own infrastructure. Power Automate runs entirely in Microsoft's cloud.
Is n8n more expensive than Power Automate?
It depends on your volume and setup. Power Automate is included in many Microsoft 365 plans but charges extra for premium connectors and high-frequency flows. n8n's self-hosted version has no per-execution fees, so it can be significantly cheaper at high volumes. The self-hosted version requires server management, which has an indirect cost in time. n8n Cloud has a subscription fee, but it is typically lower than Power Automate for equivalent usage at scale.
Is Power Automate better than n8n for Microsoft environments?
For workflows that stay entirely within Microsoft products (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Dynamics), Power Automate is generally the better choice. The native connectors are tightly integrated, authentication is handled through your Microsoft account, and the interface will be familiar to Microsoft 365 users. n8n can connect to Microsoft services, but the integration requires more configuration.
Can I migrate from Power Automate to n8n?
There is no automatic migration tool, but most Power Automate workflows can be rebuilt in n8n. The logic typically translates directly: triggers, conditions, and actions all have equivalents in n8n. The main adjustment is getting familiar with n8n's interface and data handling. For flows with complex Microsoft 365 dependencies such as SharePoint approval workflows, staying on Power Automate may be easier than migrating.