⚡ TL;DR — The Verdict

Dify wins (8.3 vs 8.0). Choose Dify for visual ai workflow builder — it has 45,000+ stars and 120+ integrations. Choose n8n for visual workflow builder with similar self-hosting costs.

n8n vs Dify: Complete 2026 Comparison

Updated · Based on real deployment data · 10 min read

n8n

8.0
Best for: complex business automation with AI capabilities and 400+ service integrations

Dify

8.3
Best for: Teams building production LLM applications who want an all-in-one platform with visual builder and built-in observability

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature n8n Dify
Primary Use Case General-purpose workflow automation platform with 400+ integrations and AI nodes for connecting business tools Open-source LLM app development platform combining AI workflow builder, RAG pipeline, agent capabilities, and model management
GitHub Stars 42,000+ 45,000+
Integrations 400+ 120+
Language TypeScript Python/TypeScript
License Sustainable Use License (Fair-code) Apache-2.0 (with commons clause for enterprise)
Min RAM 2GB 2GB
Docker Image Size ~850MB ~700MB
Self-Host Cost $15/mo $15/mo
Cloud Pricing $20/mo $59/mo
Ease of Use 7.5/10 8.5/10
AI Capabilities 7/10 9/10
Community Score 8.5/10 8.5/10
Contributors 400+ 400+

Pricing Breakdown: Self-Hosted vs Cloud

Both tools are free to self-host. The real cost is infrastructure. Here's what you'll actually pay:

n8n Self-Hosted

$15/mo
  • 2GB RAM recommended
  • ~850MB Docker image
  • Sustainable Use License (Fair-code)
  • Self-hostable via Docker
  • 400+ contributors

Dify Self-Hosted

$15/mo
  • 2GB RAM recommended
  • ~700MB Docker image
  • Apache-2.0 (with commons clause for enterprise)
  • Plugin marketplace
  • 400+ contributors

Or: Host Both on VM Nebula

Skip the DevOps entirely. Deploy n8n and Dify with one click, persistent storage included, auto-SSL, and subdomain routing — starting at $9.99/month.

When to Use Each (Real Scenarios)

Choose n8n when:

Teams needing complex business automation with AI capabilities and 400+ service integrations. Key features include visual workflow builder, 400+ native integrations, ai/llm nodes (openai, anthropic, gemini), making it the go-to choice for AI development workflows.

Choose Dify when:

Teams building production LLM applications who want an all-in-one platform with visual builder and built-in observability. It stands out with visual ai workflow builder, rag pipeline with advanced chunking, multi-model support (100+ models), making it ideal for LLM-powered applications.

Use both together when:

You need the strengths of both. n8n handles visual workflow builder while Dify provides visual ai workflow builder. Many production teams combine them via APIs for a complete AI stack.

Deploy n8n + Dify in 20 seconds

Persistent storage. Auto-SSL. Subdomain routing. No DevOps required.

Start Free on VM Nebula →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is n8n better than Dify in 2026?
n8n scores 8/10 overall while Dify scores 8.3/10. n8n excels at visual workflow builder, while Dify is stronger for visual ai workflow builder. The best choice depends on your specific use case.
How much does it cost to self-host n8n vs Dify?
Self-hosting n8n costs approximately $15/month (2GB RAM minimum). Dify costs about $15/month (2GB RAM minimum). Both can be hosted on VM Nebula starting at $9.99/month.
Can n8n replace Dify?
Not directly. n8n is a Workflow Automation tool, while Dify is for LLM Orchestration. They serve different purposes and are often used together in production.
Which is easier to set up: n8n or Dify?
Dify is easier to set up (ease-of-use score: 8.5/10). n8n requires more configuration (score: 7.5/10). Visual AI workflow builder makes the initial setup straightforward.
What is the cheapest way to run n8n and Dify?
The cheapest option is self-hosting on a single VM. n8n only needs 2GB RAM ($15/mo). For both together, a $9.99/month VM Nebula instance with Docker Compose handles both with persistent storage, auto-SSL, and automatic restarts included.

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