n8n vs Huginn
Both are alternatives to Zapier. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Also searched as Huginn vs n8n — same comparison, one verdict.
Huginn is open source (MIT) and n8n is not (Sustainable Use License (source-available, fair-code; not OSI-approved)) — so the real question is whether you want to own the workflow automation & ipaas stack or rent it.
n8n
TOP PICKPowerful, self-hostable workflow automation with a large node library.
n8n is the tool most people mean by "self-hosted Zapier." It offers a visual workflow editor with 400+ integration nodes, branching logic, and code steps, plus AI/agent nodes for LLM-driven automations. You can self-host it for free with Docker and keep every workflow and credential on your own server, or use n8n's paid cloud. Note the license: n8n uses the source-available Sustainable Use License, not an OSI-approved open-source license.
Huginn
Fully MIT-licensed, agent-based automation for power users.
Huginn is a long-standing, MIT-licensed system for building "agents" that watch for events and act on your behalf: scraping sites, monitoring feeds, sending alerts, and chaining actions. It is entirely self-hosted and open, giving you complete data ownership. The trade-off is that it is more technical than a no-code builder: you configure agents through forms and JSON, and it targets developers and tinkerers rather than non-technical users.
Side by side
10 points of comparison, every one read from a verified field. Green marks the side that wins a row outright. A dash means we do not hold that fact — never that it is zero.
| n8n | Huginn | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty ScoreOur transparent 0–100 composite for data ownership and exit cost. | 82 | 84 |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Self-hostable | Yes | Yes |
| Local-first data | Yes | Yes |
| License | Sustainable Use License (source-available, fair-code; not OSI-approved) | MIT |
| Pricing | Free to self-host; paid n8n Cloud tiers available | Free / self-host |
| RAM to run it wellThe figure that actually matters, not the vendor's minimum. | 2 GB, and 4 GB once workflows run concurrently | 2 GB with a busy agent set |
| Realistic running costWhat the box costs each month if you run it yourself. | $12–25/mo on a small VPS | $12–20/mo |
| Setup timeHonest first-install estimate, not the marketing quickstart. | 45 minutes | 1–2 hours |
| Ongoing maintenanceThe part nobody budgets for. | Active. n8n ships fast and node changes occasionally break workflows. | Low activity upstream. Stable rather than abandoned, but do not expect fast fixes. |
n8n is Macrostack's recommended Zapier alternative, so it's our pick here.
Weighing both against staying on Zapier? Is Zapier free? What it actually costs →
n8n
Strengths
- +Runs entirely on your own server via Docker; workflows and credentials stay on your infrastructure
- +Very large node library (400+ integrations) plus HTTP and code nodes to reach almost any API
- +Strong branching, error handling, and built-in AI/agent nodes for LLM workflows
- +Very active project and large community (190k+ GitHub stars, near-daily commits)
- +Workflows export as JSON, so they are portable between your own n8n instances
Trade-offs
- −License is source-available (Sustainable Use License), not OSI open-source; it permits internal/self-hosted business use but restricts offering n8n itself as a hosted service to third parties
- −Self-hosting requires running and maintaining a server and database
- −Fewer prebuilt app integrations than Zapier's 7,000+ catalog; some connections need HTTP/API setup
- −Steeper learning curve than a pure no-code tool for complex flows
Huginn
Strengths
- +Fully MIT-licensed and open-source, with complete data ownership
- +Self-hosted; all agents and data live on your own server
- +Very flexible for monitoring, scraping, feeds, and event-driven alerts
- +Established project with a large community and long history
Trade-offs
- −Development cadence has slowed to mostly maintenance in recent years
- −Configuration is JSON- and form-driven; far more technical than a no-code UI
- −Ruby-and-database stack is heavier to run than the lightest options here
- −Fewer polished, prebuilt SaaS integrations than Zapier or n8n
Which one fits you
The trade-offs above, turned into a decision. Find the line that describes your team.
Choose n8n
if runs entirely on your own server via Docker; workflows and credentials stay on your infrastructure.
Choose Huginn
if you want the source and the option to fork it, and fully MIT-licensed and open-source, with complete data ownership.
Neither, yet
if both carry a real cost you should weigh first — license is source-available (Sustainable Use License), not OSI open-source; it permits internal/self-hosted business use but restricts offering n8n itself as a hosted service to third parties, and development cadence has slowed to mostly maintenance in recent years. If either of those is a dealbreaker for your team, the shortlist is wrong rather than the choice.
What it takes to run these yourself
Real requirements and honest running costs, not the vendor quickstart.
n8n vs Huginn — common questions
Is n8n a better fit than Huginn for workflow automation & ipaas?
It depends on what you are optimising for, and the honest split is this: Huginn scores 84 to n8n's 82 on data ownership and exit cost, so it is the safer choice if you care about being able to leave. n8n earns its place on a different axis — runs entirely on your own server via Docker; workflows and credentials stay on your infrastructure. Neither is a wrong answer for every team; the table above is the actual comparison.
What happens if we want to switch later?
n8n keeps its data local or in open formats, so leaving is an export rather than a negotiation. Huginn is still self-hostable, so the files stay on your server either way — but it is not local-first by design, so check what its export produces before you rely on it.
Can I self-host n8n or Huginn?
Both can be self-hosted. The difference is what it costs you in time rather than whether it is possible — see the setup and maintenance rows above.
Are n8n and Huginn both alternatives to Zapier?
Yes — both appear in our Zapier comparison, which is why they are worth putting side by side. People usually arrive here already having decided to move off Zapier and now choosing between the two replacements, which is a narrower and much easier question.
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Facts verified 2026-07-06. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.