LangChain vs n8n
LangChain: Framework and platform for building LLM applications and agents. n8n: Open-source workflow automation you can self-host.
Pricing, free tier, and features on this page come from each tool's own site. Google autocomplete (suggestqueries.google.com, client=firefox, hl=en) for "<tool> vs", fetched 2026-10-14; a pair is kept when the suggestion appears from both sides (2+ hits). Sorted by how much you can use for free (free or open source first, then free plan with paid tiers, then paid only), then by the number of documented features, then alphabetically. No ratings or reviews are used. Read the comparison methodology. How benchmark evidence is labeled.
| LangChain | n8n | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Framework and platform for building LLM applications and agents. | Open-source workflow automation you can self-host. |
| Category | Agents | Automation |
| Pricing | Freemium (free plan + paid tiers) | Freemium (free plan + paid tiers) |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | — | Paid plans from 20€/month, billed annually |
| Who it's for | For individual developers and teams of any size building agents. | Technical teams automating business processes and AI workflows. |
| Key features | Trace agent runs step by step and search traces fast | Visually build workflows and add JavaScript or Python steps |
| Turn traces into datasets and score each agent step | Connect apps with prebuilt nodes or custom API calls | |
| Deploy agents with persistent state and isolated code sandboxes | Run AI agents with human approval and step traces | |
| Build agents in code or natural language with any model | Self-host on your servers, including air-gapped, or use managed cloud | |
| Limit model spend and check calls for sensitive data | Start from more than 10,000 workflow templates | |
| Website | www.langchain.com | n8n.io |
Who should pick which
Pick LangChain if…
- Its stated audience fits you (for individual developers and teams of any size building agents).
- You need: Trace agent runs step by step and search traces fast.
Pick n8n if…
- Its stated audience fits you (technical teams automating business processes and AI workflows).
- You need: Visually build workflows and add JavaScript or Python steps.
FAQ
Is LangChain or n8n free?
LangChain: Freemium (free plan + paid tiers). n8n: Freemium (free plan + paid tiers). Both can be used without paying.
What is the difference between LangChain and n8n?
LangChain: Framework and platform for building LLM applications and agents. n8n: Open-source workflow automation you can self-host.
Data comes from each tool's homepage and pricing page. Pair chosen from search suggestions (langchain vs n8n; n8n vs langchain).