n8n vs Trigger.dev
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Background jobs for developers.
The verdict
Both n8n and Trigger.dev are credible automation tools tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
n8n — Open-source workflow automation.
Trigger.dev — Background jobs for developers.
n8n vs Trigger.dev: side by side
| Dimension | n8n | Trigger.dev |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $24/mo | Free – $50/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Developers, Operations | Developers |
| Platforms | Web, Self Hosted, Api | Web, Api |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
n8n key facts
- Vendor
- n8n
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $24/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Self Hosted, Api
- Best for
- Developers, Operations
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- Berlin, Germany
Trigger.dev key facts
- Vendor
- Trigger.dev
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $50/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Developers
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- London, UK
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n better than Trigger.dev?
Neither is universally better — Trigger.dev edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is n8n or Trigger.dev cheaper?
n8n is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $24/mo. n8n starts at free – $24/mo; Trigger.dev starts at free – $50/mo.
Can n8n replace Trigger.dev?
Yes for most teams — both are automation tools tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.