Activepieces vs n8n
Self-host pick — both replace Zapier (Workflow automation / iPaaS).
Both Activepieces and n8n self-host as a replacement for Zapier (Workflow automation / iPaaS). Pick Activepieces if you want a MIT-licensed codebase (MIT); pick n8n for other (Sustainable Use License). Both run in roughly the same cost bracket — $5-10 vps — node vs $5 vps for low-volume; $10-20 once you cron-trigger workflows on minute intervals.
| Activepiecesopen-source | n8nopen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | Sustainable Use License |
| Setup time | 10min docker-compose | 10min docker-compose |
| Monthly cost | $5-10 VPS — Node.js + Postgres + Redis stack. | $5 VPS for low-volume; $10-20 once you cron-trigger workflows on minute intervals. |
| GitHub | activepieces/activepieces | n8n-io/n8n |
| Replaces | Zapier | Zapier |
Good fit for
Activepieces
Teams that want a true MIT license without the commercial-reselling restriction n8n carries.
Weak at:Smaller integration catalog than n8n; younger project so some pieces are thinner than the Zapier equivalent.
n8n
Devs and ops who want code-extensible workflows (every node can call a Function step) and aren't blocked by the SUL.
Weak at:License is non-OSI; if your use case is commercial reselling, this won't qualify.
In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli zapier prints Zapier's self-host options including both —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Which is easier to self-host, Activepieces or n8n?
Activepieces: 10min docker-compose. n8n: 10min docker-compose.
What does each cost to run?
Activepieces: $5-10 VPS — Node.js + Postgres + Redis stack.. n8n: $5 VPS for low-volume; $10-20 once you cron-trigger workflows on minute intervals.. Both projects are free and open source.
Do Activepieces and n8n replace the same SaaS?
Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Zapier.