FluidGrids vs n8n
Source-available automation for technical teams. See how FluidGrids compares on builder, embedding, versioning, recovery, and pricing.
What n8n is
n8n is a source-available workflow platform with a node-based canvas, a free self-hosted Community Edition, the deepest AI/agent node library in the category, and per-execution (not per-step) billing. It is the strongest technical rival on this list — its weak spots are operational burden, multi-tenancy, and branding on embedded deployments.
Founded: 2019 · Berlin, Germany · n8n.io
Strengths
- Free self-hosted Community Edition with unlimited executions
- Large node ecosystem: 400+ native and 1,500+ community nodes
- 70+ AI nodes with LangChain, vector stores, memory and local models
- AI Workflow Builder with generous 2026 credit allowances
- Per-execution billing — step count does not change the price
- Git-based version control and environments on Business+
Weaknesses
- Self-hosting requires DevOps, scaling, and security maintenance
- Not natively multi-tenant SaaS
- Embedded/OEM canvas keeps n8n branding visible
- Enterprise features (SSO, Git, environments, log streaming) need paid tiers
- No native dashboard ETL sink
Feature comparison
Head-to-head across the dimensions that matter for visual workflow automation.
| Dimension | FluidGrids | Competitor |
|---|---|---|
Builder paradigm | Free-form React Flow canvas — branching, loops, parallel paths, drop-on-edge insert, inline quick-config, sticky notes | Node-based visual canvas |
Connector catalog Competitor | 30 store nodes live in the builder (21 third-party connectors) plus 21 built-in flow-control nodes, and growing | 400+ native and 1,500+ community nodes |
Triggers Competitor | Manual/API, webhook, cron schedule, hosted form, and error triggers (a run can start when another workflow fails) | Webhook, schedule, polling, app-event and chat triggers |
Workflow versioning | Immutable version on every save; runs pin to their exact version; restore any version into a fresh draft | Git-based source control and environments on Business and Enterprise |
Run recovery | Cancel, pause, resume, terminate — plus retry a single failed node with its original inputs | Retry an execution, optionally from the failed node; error workflows |
Observability & logs | Live per-node state plus a streaming run log, including whatever your own Code nodes print | Execution list with per-node data; log streaming on Enterprise |
Dashboard ETL FluidGrids | A single data sink node streams any workflow’s output into a live BigConsole dashboard feed | No native dashboard sink — you build the ETL yourself |
Embeddable builder FluidGrids | React SDK at three integration depths — no iframe, no FluidGrids branding — plus a public read-only embed viewer | Embed/OEM licence, but n8n branding remains visible |
AI agents & LLM nodes Competitor | AI Agent node with chat-model, memory and tool sub-nodes; any workflow can be bound as an agent tool | 70+ AI nodes, LangChain, vector stores, memory, local models |
AI-assisted generation Competitor | Describe a workflow in the assistant and get a builder-ready draft; a second mode builds a whole connector node from a prompt | AI Workflow Builder — 2,300 credits/mo on Starter, 13,700 on Pro |
Multi-tenancy FluidGrids | Workspace-native isolation with gateway-enforced RBAC, audit and metering inherited from the Burdenoff platform | Projects and roles; not natively multi-tenant SaaS |
Deployment Competitor | Fully managed cloud; no self-hosted edition | Cloud or free self-hosted Community Edition |
Enterprise compliance | Encrypted credentials, RBAC, audit trail, SSO; formal SOC 2 / HIPAA attestations not yet in hand | SSO/SAML, audit log and log streaming on Enterprise tiers |
Pricing model | Usage-based runs; features ungated across tiers | Per full workflow execution — step count does not change the price |
Pricing comparison
How FluidGrids' run-based model stacks up against n8n's billing.
| Plan | FluidGrids | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 1,000 runs/mo (indicative) | Self-hosted CE: unlimited · Cloud: trial only |
| Entry paid | ~$19/mo · 10,000 runs | Starter ~€24/mo · 2,500 executions |
| Mid tier | ~$49/mo · unlimited runs | Pro ~€60/mo · 10,000 executions |
| Enterprise | Custom | Business ~€800/mo · 40,000 executions · SSO + Git |
n8n and FluidGrids both meter per workflow execution rather than per step, so neither penalises you for adding nodes. n8n’s self-hosted Community Edition is free but you provide infrastructure, scaling, and maintenance; FluidGrids is managed-only. FluidGrids pricing is indicative and unpublished until launch.
Why FluidGrids wins
Specific advantages for teams comparing n8n and FluidGrids.
No DevOps required (shipped)
n8n self-hosting saves licence cost but adds infrastructure, scaling, and security work. FluidGrids is fully managed in the cloud, so your team builds workflows instead of running clusters.
True white-label embedding (shipped)
n8n’s OEM embed keeps the n8n logo visible. FluidGrids embeds as brand-agnostic React components inside your app — no FluidGrids branding, no iframe.
Native multi-tenancy (shipped)
FluidGrids inherits workspace isolation, platform RBAC, and audit from the Burdenoff platform. n8n requires custom work to deliver true tenant separation.
Dashboard-native output (shipped)
The native data sink node turns any FluidGrids workflow into a live dashboard feed with a single node on the canvas. n8n has no equivalent native sink — you build the ETL yourself.
Skip the infrastructure work
Join the FluidGrids waitlist for managed, embeddable workflow automation with built-in multi-tenancy and version safety.