Lindy vs n8n (2026): Which Is Better?
Winner
n8n is the better pick for most people as of October 2026, rated 4.3/5 versus 4.0/5 for Lindy. Both have free plans. Lindy is the better choice for open-ended work you want handled end to end.
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Compiled from BestAI's full reviews of Lindy and n8n, using the same ratings, pricing and test notes. See our review methodology.
Lindy vs n8n: side-by-side
| Criterion | Lindy | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| BestAI rating | 4.0/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Starting price | $29.99/mo | Free (open source) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Open source |
| Ease of use | 4.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Features | 4.3/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Output quality | 3.9/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Value for money | 3.6/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Platforms | API, Web | API, Web |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Open-ended work you want handled end to end | Developers wanting self-hosted automation |
| Company | Lindy | n8n GmbH, 2019 |
Strengths and weaknesses
Lindy
- Agent-first rather than a workflow builder with AI bolted on
- More than 1,500 integrations and 40+ built-in skills
- Publishes what a credit buys: 2–250 for everyday tasks
- Slack-native, so it works where the conversation already is
- Credit pricing makes monthly cost depend on usage, not a fixed plan
- The free allowance expires after seven days
- An agent is harder to debug than a deterministic workflow
- Top tier reaches $3,999.80 a month, so heavy use gets expensive fast
n8n
- Free and open-source to self-host
- Full data ownership and infrastructure control
- Supports custom code inside workflows
- Active open-source community
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and maintenance
- Smaller polished app library than Zapier
- Fair-code license restricts some commercial reuse cases
Key features
Lindy
- AI agents with 40+ skills and custom skill creation
- 1,500+ app integrations
- Meeting recording, notes and inbox management
- Computer use for operating software directly
n8n
- Visual workflow builder
- Self-hosting option
- Custom JavaScript/Python code nodes
- AI workflow nodes
- Open-source extensibility
Which should you choose?
Choose Lindy if you need:
- Open-ended work you want handled end to end
- Teams living in Slack who want an assistant in the thread
- Meeting notes, inbox triage and reply drafting
- A free plan (paid plans from $29.99/mo)
Choose n8n if you need:
- Developers wanting self-hosted automation
- Privacy-sensitive workflows
- Custom-code automation steps
- A free plan (paid plans from Free (open source))
Frequently asked questions
Is Lindy better than n8n?+
For most people, n8n comes out ahead: BestAI rates it 4.3/5 against 4.0/5 for Lindy. Lindy is still the better fit for open-ended work you want handled end to end.
Which is cheaper, Lindy or n8n?+
Lindy costs $29.99/mo; n8n costs Free (open source). Both have free plans.
Do Lindy and n8n have free plans?+
Lindy has a free plan ($50 in credits lasting seven days, with no credit card required. Not a permanent free tier). n8n has a free plan (free self-hosting; n8n Cloud offers a limited trial).
What is the main difference between Lindy and n8n?+
Lindy is best for open-ended work you want handled end to end, and its standout strength is agent-first rather than a workflow builder with AI bolted on. n8n is best for developers wanting self-hosted automation, with free and open-source to self-host as its biggest advantage.