n8n Alternatives: Features, Pricing and Comparison
Workflow Automation
Looking for an alternative to n8n? Compare features, pricing, and fit to choose the right platform.
n8n vs Sistava
n8n is a fair-code workflow automation platform popular with technical teams for self-hosting and custom JavaScript/Python code injection. While n8n offers developer control, it still requires building explicit workflow graphs node by node. Sistava provides autonomous AI employees that handle complex tasks end-to-end without requiring you to program the logic.
Profile
- Pricing
- Free (self-hosted, unlimited). Cloud: EUR 24/mo (2.5K executions), EUR 60/mo (10K). ~$2.5B valuation.
- Founded
- 2019, Berlin, Germany
- Funding
- $254M raised ($180M Series C, Oct 2025). ~$2.5B valuation.
- Focus
- Open-source, developer-friendly workflow automation with self-hosting
Why choose Sistava as an alternative to n8n
- Sistava employees work autonomously end-to-end. n8n requires manually connecting nodes in a workflow graph.
- Sistava ships pre-built AI teams from a marketplace, no DevOps needed. n8n self-hosting requires infrastructure you must manage and scale.
- Sistava has 7-Layer memory and learning across tasks. n8n uses stateless workflow executions with no context retention.
- Sistava includes browser automation, task boards, and file Drive. n8n requires custom code nodes for anything beyond API calls.
- Sistava has enterprise-grade guardrails with PII detection and approval gates. n8n self-hosted means DIY security.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | n8n | Sistava |
|---|---|---|
| Automation Model | Node-based workflow graphs | Autonomous AI employees |
| Reasoning and Adaptability | Explicit logic required | Handles ambiguity |
| App Integrations | 400-700+ native | Thousands of native + MCP |
| AI Capabilities | LangChain nodes + LLM integrations | Native AI-first |
| Self-Hosting | Free self-host (unlimited) | Managed platform |
| Team Hierarchy and Delegation | Multi-user with roles | ✓ |
| Memory across runs | Stateless | Persistent (graph + episodic) |
| Task Board and Sprint Cycles | ✗ | ✓ |
| Browser and Desktop Automation | Custom Puppeteer nodes | ✓ |
| File Drive and Work Journals | ✗ | ✓ |
| Durable Execution (Temporal) | Basic retry + error workflows | ✓ |
| Guardrails and PII Detection | Self-managed security | ✓ |
| Starting Price | Free (self-host) / EUR 24/mo (cloud) | $25/mo, no lock-in |
What is Sistava?
Sistava is an AI workforce platform where you hire AI employees and work with them through conversation. Tell an employee what you need in plain language, and Sistava handles the setup behind the scenes, including the tools, context, and team coordination needed for the work. You do not need to learn AI configuration or build workflows first. You can start with the work you want done, stay involved in the decisions that matter, and see how your team is moving forward.