Z
ZNo-code workflow automation and AI agents across 9,000+ apps for businesses
Free, from $19.99/mo
Buffer vs n8n
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
B
Choose Buffer if…
- you need an API to build on
- you work on iOS, Android, Chrome
- you're in its core audience: creators, small businesses
N
Choose n8n if…
- you work on Self-hosted
- you're in its core audience: developers, operations teams
Side by side
Feature Buffer n8n
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starting price$5/mo—
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Trains AI on your content—No
Data retention—Execution data deleted automatically based on account's retention settings
Security and compliance—SOC 2, GDPR
Updates, last 90 days8—
GitHub stars—208.8K
Auto-publishing—
Content calendar—
Social inbox—
Post analytics—
Approval workflow—
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Chrome, APIWeb, Self-hosted
CategorySocial MediaWorkflow Automation
CompanyBuffer, Incn8n GmbH
Based inUnited StatesGermany
Founded——
Part of——
Key features
B Buffer
- Scheduling to 12 social platforms including Substack and Bluesky
- Visual content calendar and posting queue
- AI Assistant for drafting and repurposing posts
- Community inbox with AI reply suggestions
- Analytics, reports and custom UTM parameters
- Team approval workflows and access permissions
- Start Page link-in-bio builder
- API and MCP connection to Claude or ChatGPT
N n8n
- Visual workflow builder with optional custom code
- 500+ native integrations plus HTTP for any API
- AI agents, AI nodes and MCP support
- Human-in-the-loop approvals, e.g. via Slack
- Re-run only the failed step
- Version history with Git-based version control
- SSO (SAML), LDAP, RBAC and audit logs
- Cloud hosting or self-hosting with Docker
Plans and prices
From each vendor's site. Prices change — confirm before buying.
Buffer
FreeFree
Essentials$5/mo per channel ($60 billed yearly)
Team$10/mo per channel ($120 billed yearly)
n8n
Community EditionFree (self-hosted)
Starter€20/mo billed annually
Pro€50/mo billed annually
Business€667/mo billed annually
EnterpriseCustom
Strengths and limitations
Buffer
- Free plan connects up to 3 channels with no credit card
- Per-channel pricing from $5/month
- API access included on every plan, free plan too
- Supports 12 platforms including Substack, Bluesky and Mastodon
- Free plan limited to 10 scheduled posts per channel and 30-day insights
- Approval workflows and branded reports only on Team plan
- Costs scale with the number of connected channels
n8n
- Self-hosted Community Edition available on GitHub
- All plans include unlimited users and workflows
- Cloud trial needs no credit card
- Pricing is per execution, regardless of workflow complexity
- Prices listed in euros for annual billing only
- Business plan is self-hosted only
- Support on non-Enterprise plans is forum only
- Self-hosted licensed features need a daily license server check-in
More comparisons
Other options to consider
ZZ
Free, from $19.99/mo
Z
No-code workflow automation and AI agents across 9,000+ apps for businesses
Workflow AutomationFree planAPI
M
MM
Free, from $9/mo
M
Visual no-code platform for building AI agents and automated workflows
Workflow AutomationFree planAPI
M
MLow-code cloud, desktop RPA and process mining automation for enterprises
From $15/mo
M
From $15/mo
M
Low-code cloud, desktop RPA and process mining automation for enterprises
Workflow Automation
S
SS
From $9/mo
S
Work management platform with AI for projects, portfolios and workflows
Workflow AutomationAPI
W
WEnterprise platform to connect apps and data and govern AI agents and workflows
Free, from $100/mo
W
Free, from $100/mo
W
Enterprise platform to connect apps and data and govern AI agents and workflows
Workflow AutomationFree planAPI
T
TT
From $50/mo
T
Enterprise iPaaS for integrations, automations, AI agents and governed MCP
Workflow AutomationAPI
Built from each vendor's public website; we haven't tested them hands-on. Editorial policy