Comparison
Dify vs n8n: which one to choose in 2026?
Dify and n8n are two comparable tools. Here's the head-to-head, criterion by criterion, to choose based on your real-world use.
Detailed comparison
| Criterion |  Dify |  n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Price | Free & open source · Cloud from $59/mo | Self-hosted free · Cloud from €20/mo · Pro €50 |
| Level | Pro | Pro |
| Verdict | Recommended | Recommended |
| Best for | Developers and technical teams who want to build LLM apps while keeping control. | Technical teams that want powerful, sovereign, self-hostable automation. |
| Categories | Code, Automation, Chatbots & assistants | Automation, Code |
Each tool in brief
Strengths
- Open source, self-hostable (full control)
- Visual canvas: workflows, RAG, agents
- Compatible with hundreds of models (GPT, Llama, Mistral…)
- Everything exposed via API (backend-as-a-service)
Weaknesses
- Assumes understanding of RAG, agents and embeddings
- Self-hosting requires technical skills
- Less turnkey than a consumer assistant
Who is it for? Developers and technical teams who want to build LLM apps while keeping control.
Strengths
- Open source and self-hostable
- Code when no-code falls short
- AI nodes (agents, LLMs, vector)
- Data control and controlled cost
Weaknesses
- More technical setup than Zapier
- Self-hosting = maintenance on you
- Slightly smaller integration catalog
Who is it for? Technical teams that want powerful, sovereign, self-hostable automation.
Our verdict
No universal winner: it depends on your need. If you're after "Developers and technical teams who want to build LLM apps while keeping control.", Dify is the better pick. If it's more "Technical teams that want powerful, sovereign, self-hostable automation.", go with n8n. Models move fast — check the latest versions and current pricing before deciding.
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