Comparison
n8n vs Relay.app: which one to choose in 2026?
n8n and Relay.app are two comparable tools. Here's the head-to-head, criterion by criterion, to choose based on your real-world use.
Detailed comparison
| Criterion |  n8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Price | Self-hosted free · Cloud from €20/mo · Pro €50 | Free (200 steps + 500 credits) · Pro $19/mo (annual) · Team $69 · Enterprise on quote |
| Level | Pro | Pro |
| Verdict | Recommended | Recommended |
| Best for | Technical teams that want powerful, sovereign, self-hostable automation. | Teams that want automation while keeping human approval on sensitive steps. |
| Categories | Automation, Code | Automation, Productivity |
Each tool in brief
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.
Strengths
- Native human approvals in flows
- Built-in AI (summarize, sort, draft)
- Clean, modern interface
- Good for team workflows
Weaknesses
- Fewer integrations than the heavyweights
- Very complex scenarios sometimes limited
- AI in flows still needs supervision
Who is it for? Teams that want automation while keeping human approval on sensitive steps.
Our verdict
No universal winner: it depends on your need. If you're after "Technical teams that want powerful, sovereign, self-hostable automation.", n8n is the better pick. If it's more "Teams that want automation while keeping human approval on sensitive steps.", go with Relay.app. Models move fast — check the latest versions and current pricing before deciding.
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