As someone deeply experienced with Power Automate, I’ve built workflows that handle business-critical processes, streamline internal operations, and integrate seamlessly across Microsoft’s ecosystem. For years, Power Automate has been my go-to tool for one simple reason: it just works especially if your organization runs on Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, and Dynamics.
But like any tool, Power Automate comes with limitations.
And that’s when I started exploring n8n, an open-source alternative that approaches automation from a fundamentally different angle.
Where Power Automate Excels
Tight Integration with Microsoft Products
Power Automate was built for the Microsoft world. If your stack is 90% Microsoft, this platform will save you time and reduce friction.
User-Friendly Interface
Non-technical users can automate tasks without writing code, thanks to a polished drag-and-drop designer and pre-built connectors.
Security and Compliance
Microsoft’s cloud offers a high level of trust, especially for companies with strict compliance requirements.
Where Power Automate Shows Its Limits
License Costs & Flow Limits
Power Automate is subscription-based. The more flows, API calls, and users you have, the higher the costs scale and costs can become significant.
Vendor Lock-In
Automation is smooth within the Microsoft ecosystem, but reaching beyond it can feel constrained or overly dependent on Microsoft-approved connectors.
Limited Flexibility for Developers
While expressions and HTTP requests offer workarounds, complex logic is often difficult to implement without stacking multiple actions and hacks.
Why n8n Caught My Attention
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Open-Source Flexibility
n8n isn’t “free” in the commercial sense, but it’s open source. You can self-host it and scale without paying per flow or per action, only covering your own infrastructure costs. -
Full Control Over Data and Deployment
Whether you prefer Docker, VPS, or cloud environments, you control where your workflows live. No dependence on vendor infrastructure. -
Developer-Friendly Logic
Unlike Power Automates expression-based logic, n8n offers JavaScript natively inside workflows, allowing advanced logic and API manipulation without jumping through hoops. -
Broad Integration Potential
n8n is not tied to any single ecosystem. If an API exists, you can integrate with it no connector marketplace required.
Power Automate vs. n8n: Straight Comparison
| Feature | Power Automate | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Subscription, per user, per flow | Free for self-hosting, paid cloud plans |
| Hosting | Microsoft cloud only | Self-host or n8n Cloud (paid) |
| Integration Scope | Microsoft-heavy, ~600 connectors | Open-ended via HTTP, REST, and community nodes |
| Logic Flexibility | Limited to expressions, loops, conditions | Native JavaScript, functions, full control |
| Learning Curve | Low for non-developers | Moderate - geared toward technical users |
| Security | Microsoft security/compliance | Self-managed or n8n Cloud (dependent on setup) |
Hence...
If your business lives and breathes Microsoft 365, Power Automate is still the logical choice. The out-of-the-box integration, enterprise-grade compliance, and ease of use for non-developers are hard to beat.
But if you're seeking:
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greater control over your workflows,
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reduced cost scaling,
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or the ability to automate beyond Microsoft without restrictions,
n8n offers a highly competitive, flexible, and developer-friendly alternative especially for teams that are comfortable managing their own infrastructure.
The truth is: neither platform is "better."
They solve different problems for different organizations.
As an automation professional, having both in your toolkit isn’t optional anymore it’s necessary.
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