Looking For a N8n Alternative? Here's Why Latenode Leads 

N8n and Latenode power your workflow automation – but with major differences. Need help deciding which one to choose? Take a look at this guide and learn why Latenode is not just the best n8n alternative, but outshines it in key areas, such as flexibility, support, and cost-efficiency.

Latenode vs N8n: Key Features 👀

Feature Latenode N8n
Pricing for using automations Pay by execution time, providing cost-efficient scalability for larger & repetitive workflows Pay per workflow execution; more expensive as complexity increases
Pricing per automation unit on the basic plan 1 credit = 0.0019$, which corresponds to 30 seconds of runtime, enough for most scenarios to complete 1 execution = 0.0095$ (5x COSTLIER)
Free Trial Yes Yes
Flexibility Provides no-code and low-code customization with full API and JavaScript support, making it easier for tech and non-tech users to build and scale automation Supports custom JavaScript and Python but requires technical expertise for deep customization
Ease of Use Intuitive, visual interface that simplifies complex workflows, suitable for both beginners and professionals Developer-oriented editor UI, with a learning curve for non-technical users
Integration Options 300+ no-code integrations, HTTP request & Javascript nodes, and Headless Browser Supports 250+ pre-built integrations, Javascript & Python with custom API connections via HTTP requests
AI Assistant Ask AI to write, explain & debug the Javascript code AI assistant for Javascript coding; no Python Support; no support in self-hosting mode
Headless Browser Full-swing headless browser with Puppeteer support for non-API automation and web scraping No
Sub-Scenarios Hide your entire automations in a single custom node No
Database Yes Yes
Error Handling Review, replay and share specific versions of your scenarios to fix errors Error workflows & error nodes
Dev/Prod Versions Run your scenarios in the Production mode while testing all modifications in the Development mode n8n supports test workflows and active workflows
Support Dedicated and welcoming support, including detailed documentation, forum-driven help, and an option to hire an expert if you’re not a tech pro. The support is reported to be developer-oriented, and the documentation is not always up to date, which bars off non-techies.
Security Enterprise security standards; strong data encryption; customizable access control features, no self-hosting Offers self-hosting for control over data privacy

See yourself why Latenode is an ultimate choice for complex automations! 🔥

About N8n

N8n is an open-source workflow automation tool with 250+ no-code integrations, Javascript & Python support, and API features that allow users to create multi-step workflows. There is an option to add multiple triggers, nodes and branches that set it apart from options like Make or Zapier. You can also host your workflows on your own server with the self-hosting feature. However, n8n has several drawbacks:

  • Steep learning curve: Using n8n requires technical knowledge, especially for self-hosting mode. Users without programming experience may face difficulties in creating and configuring workflows.

  • Performance issues: Some users on n8n’s forum report significant performance problems in the UI, especially when working with large datasets or multi-step workflows. This can make development and debugging challenging.

  • Lack of certain features: Some users note that n8n does not provide all the features they need for their specific use cases, which may require additional configuration or custom development.

Thus, despite the powerful capabilities of n8n, potential users should consider these limits when deciding whether to use this tool.

About Latenode – a N8n Alternative, Which is Actually Better

Latenode is a low-code platform designed to automate business processes without a dedicated development team. It offers a user-friendly UI that allows for creation of workflows with multiple steps and branches. The range of publicly available use cases spans basic app integrations, full-swing CRMs, complex data validation & analysis systems, LLM-powered outreach systems, automated generators of SEO articles, and even web extensions.

Key Features of Latenode:

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Latenode's pricing model is based on the time a scenario is running, rather than the number of operations performed or workflow executions. This approach means massive savings compared to n8n, especially for complex automations that repeat hundreds of times and have dozens of nodes.

  • 300+ No-code integrations: These include popular LLMs such as Claude or ChatGPT, as well as data enrichment nodes. Most of them are available in the plug-and-play format without needing to connect accounts. Plus, the collection includes databases, social networks and payment systems.

  • Puppeteer-Based Headless Browser: This feature helps connect to websites that lack a public API system and automate tasks like data scraping, form submissions, or screenshotting. It works just like JavaScript – add your code in the node, or ask AI based on ChatGPT to do it.

  • Sub-scenarios: Hide automations into a single node and use it as a sub-scenario. There’s no limit on the number of integrations, triggers, or whether code is used.

  • Custom Code Integration: Add Javascript code with 1.2 million NPM packages & up to 2 minutes of runtime. Simply put, it means that you can do anything and everything vanilla JS allows for.

  • JavaScript AI Assistance: Latenode has an AI assistant that aids in writing JS code, explaining it, debugging the glitches, and adding custom integrations with third-party apps.

  • HTTP request nodes that can send GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE requests. These nodes also support the feature to create a URL request from example (cURL)

  • Error Handling: You can review, replay and share different versions of your scenario to fix the errors. You can also have the scenario ignore errors and keep running even if they occur.

  • Dev/Prod Mode: Test all updates in the Dev mode safely while active versions of your scenarios run in the Prod mode.

By combining these features, Latenode offers a comprehensive solution for automating business processes, catering to both technical and non-technical users.

See yourself why Latenode is an ultimate choice for complex automations! 🔥

Pricing Comparison

While both platforms offer some of the fairest pricing models on the market, Latenode’s credit-based pricing has more flexibility and lower costs than n8n’s execution-based model. 

N8N’s Pricing

N8n Cloud charges per workflow execution. Their Starter plan costs $24 for 2,500 executions monthly, which is 0.0096$ per execution. The Pro plan costs $61 for 10K executions, or 0.0061$ per execution. It also has a second version at $150 for 50K executions, which is $0.00375 per execution.

All of this is much more expensive compared to an execution credit on Latenode, which costs $0.0019. See detailed calculations below.

Moreover, not everything is so simple on n8n – their pricing model can lead to unpredictable costs. Some users complain that the 2,500 executions limit in the Starter plan is not always clear, especially when the number of workflows increases. Other n8n users are unhappy with the tight limit on active workflows. 

The Pro plan, at $51 monthly, includes 15 active workflows. This might not fit the case of those needing more automated processes. In contrast, Latenode’s Medium Plan offers unlimited active scenarios at $47 monthly. 

N8n "Community Edition" (Self-hosted plan) is free for internal business, non-commercial, or personal use. However, this plan is not for non-tech people with limited funds: running it on your server needs renting a server, setting it up, monthly maintenance, and daily security updates, not to mention massive investment in time and effort. OAuth authorizations like Google Sheets, multi-user access, and more than 1 day of workflow history won't be available as well (unlike all Latenode plans)

N8n official self-hosting warning - only for expert 👆

Based on a basic VPS server cost from DigitalOcean.com and the average rate for 1 hour of sysadmin work, the total cost is: Server ($12+/monthly) + Monthly maintenance ($74+/hourly).

The server you need for self-hosted version 👆

Hourly rate for Sysadmins 👆

Minimal server rent price on Digitalocean 👆

If you opt for 10K workflow executions with 5 nodes inside, the price on n8n self-hosted version would be $86, including the price for server renting and the hourly rate of a sysadmin. At the same time, on Latenode, which charges per credit, the price for 10K executions would be just $17, which is 5x cheaper.

Item Latenode N8n (Self-hosted)
10,000 executions with 5 nodes $17 $86

While n8n Cloud’s pricing model offers predictable costs for individual workflow executions, it may be less flexible and cost-effective for companies with a large number of repetitive workflows. If you opt for the self-hosted plan, you should be either a sys-admin or ready to hire one for an average rate of $74/hourly.

See yourself why Latenode is an ultimate choice for complex automations! 🔥

Latenode’s Pricing

Here is the basic comparison of Latenode subscription plans. You can explore each of them here.

Plan Price Credits Max Scenario Executions
XS $5/month 1,000 credits Up to 3,000
Small $17/month 5,000 credits Up to 30,000
Medium $47/month 15,000 credits Up to 150,000
Large $147/month 50,000 credits Up to 1,500,000

Along with the monthly access, Latenode offers a credit-based pricing model that charges for the duration of scenario execution, rather than the number of steps or operations involved. Each credit corresponds to 30 seconds of active execution time, priced at $0.0019. This is:

  • 5x cheaper than an execution of a n8n workflow at the Starter Plan

  • 3.2x cheaper than an execution on the Pro plan at $51 monthly

  • 1.9x cheaper compared to an execution on the Pro plan if you pay $124 monthly

The price of a Latenode credit doesn’t increase as you upgrade your plan.

Key Features of Latenode's Pricing Model:

  • Cost Efficiency: Latenode lets users execute repetitive scenarios at a fraction of the cost compared to platforms that charge per action or execution. One of two scenarios in this use case processes content from 4,000 landing pages using Headless Browser, Airtable, Javascript, and others. One execution below 30 secs is needed per page. The total cost of processing all these pages was only $7.6. On n8n Cloud’s Pro plan, the same operation would cost 24$ and 40% of your monthly limit.

  • Unlimited Actions: Users can add an unlimited number of nodes, triggers and branches within a scenario providing flexibility similar to putting Lego blocks together. As long as your scenario fits in 30 seconds, it will cost only 0.00190$ per execution.

  • Transparent Billing: The credit system offers clear and predictable billing – you can estimate costs based on the expected runtime and number of credits being used.

  • Lifetime deal: Instead of paying monthly, you can pay once and use Latenode forever. The subscription starts at $497, with several options available.

By combining these features, Latenode offers a comprehensive solution for automating business processes, catering to both technical and non-technical users.

Customer Support

Latenode’s Approach

Latenode offers a supportive and accessible customer service experience. Key features include:

This support system makes it easy for users to get the help they need, whether through community interactions or professional guidance.

N8N’s Approach

While the community and support are valuable things, n8n’s support service is reported to be favoring developers and reluctant to help non-tech customers. One user even found the documentation outdated. So, unless you're a long-time dev or you're ready to delve into tech stuff, possibly with no assistance, n8n might not be the best option.

Major N8N Drawbacks Which Latenode Solves

We've been monitoring videos from n8n users discussing their workflows and suggesting new features. This video features three major drawbacks of n8n that Latenode has addressed. See below to learn how. 

Lack of Real-Time Error Notifications

  • Problem: ‘The first issue is error handling. For example, when I set up a loop between two nodes, it keeps generating new URLs endlessly in a ridiculous loop and never stops running. There’s no real-time notifications on errors’.

  • Latenode’s Solution: When an error occurs in your scenarios, a message pops up to show where exactly. The scenario stops running unless you switch the button to ignore errors in the node.

Data Saving

  • Problem: 'Whenever I build a workflow and forget to click the ‘save’ button before navigating away or refreshing the page, everything gets erased – it’s really frustrating'.

  • Latenode's Solution: Every time you make changes to the node settings and then close the tab, a message appears offering to either save the changes or discard them. The same message appears if you want to close Latenode, refresh the page, or switch to another menu tab. There is no way to close the tab with your data being added but unsaved.

Backup Credentials

  • Problem: 'I'm missing out on options to backup credentials. Whenever I switch between n8n workflows, it's hard to send all the credentials I have on one to another one. It's sad that I cannot just migrate credentials between instances and, let's say, export a CSV file or an encrypted file'.

  • Latenode solution: There are many options to solve this problem:

    1. You can turn files and other data into variables and store them in a specialized storage on Latenode; they'll appear for quick access whenever you open a node. 

    2. We also have a database for basic info, similar to Airtable, MySQL, or Google Sheets.

    3. Finally, whenever you add authorizations for apps, the system remembers them and allows you to choose between different accounts or API keys whenever you add a no-code integration.

    You can access your variables, data, and authorizations in the sidebar.

Latenode vs N8N: Which One to Choose?

Both tools offer workflow automation capabilities, but Latenode stands out as the more practical n8n alternative for most users. Here is what makes it ideal for businesses to scale automation:

  • Intuitive interface

  • AI-powered JavaScript assistance

  • Credit-based pricing (up to 5x cheaper than n8n)

  • Headless browser support

  • Sub-scenarios

  • Responsive customer support for all technical levels.

N8n, though powerful, has several drawbacks:

  • Steep learning curve

  • Developer-focused support

  • Costly execution-based pricing model. 

While it offers self-hosting options, these require technical expertise and additional server maintenance costs. Unless you need self-hosting or prefer a technical approach, Latenode is the more accessible and cost-effective workflow automation solution.

See yourself why Latenode is an ultimate choice for complex automations! 🔥

What Automation Experts Think of Latenode

Hemanth Kumar B.
Automation Expert
July 25, 2024

Relaible alternative to Zapier and Make with Extended Functionality -JS Node, Headless Browser, AI Assistant. Ease of use and Support Quality

John T.
Marketing and Advertising, Self-employed
May 31, 2024

Affordable Automation with Robust Features – I've been using Latenode for over a month now, and I already prefer it over more popular options like Zapier, Pabbly, or Make. The biggest advantage of Latenode is its significantly lower automation costs, all while maintaining the same robust features. The only downside is the limited integrations, but that's understandable given that it's a newer player in the market. Overall, Latenode offers excellent value and has quickly become my go-to for automation needs. Significantly lower automation costs compared to Zapier, Pabbly, and Make Maintains the same robust features as more popular platforms Excellent value for money. Limited integrations due to being a newer player in the market

Petar V.
CEO, Computer Software
October 25, 2024

Best low code tool on market!! I am just starting my journey deeper but for time now this tool is excellent and it is far most better then make.com. I especially like the ease of use and the fact that for Google services, there's no need to manually go to the API or the Google console to look for the Client ID and similar things. For now evertyhing is perfectly fitted to my needs

Mike Kirshtein
Founder & Leadership at Audax Group
March 5, 2024

Latenode has replaced Zapier and Make⚡️ Our business requires us to send lots of webhooks every day and we need a reliable service that's easy on the pockets and that's Latenode.

Nabil Narin
@NabilNarin
July 6, 2024

Latenode overall are great! 🚀 Its great to see latenode because it offers cheaper price and also the platform are easy to navigate and not to steep for learning but maybe the documentation should be updated. everything else are perfect!

Doug
@Doug
March 6, 2024

Beginning of Great Things. They're new, but doing an excellent job providing a very serious alternative to their competition. As a beginner, Latenodes documentation, templates and affiliate connections are all helpful to get your flow ideas started. Very friendly to communicate with and looking forward to their success 🚀

See yourself why Latenode is an ultimate choice for complex automations! 🔥