n8n Agents vs Pilot: 2026 comparison
Open-source workflow automation with first-class AI agent nodes — self-host or use cloud.
n8n Agents vs Pilot — specs
| Spec | n8n Agents | Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Rank | 85 / 100 (S) | 58 / 100 (B) |
| Autonomy | Semi-autonomous | Semi-autonomous |
| Pricing | Free · OSS | Subscription · from $499 |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Capabilities | Tool use, Memory, Multi-agent | Tool use, Memory, RAG |
| Integrations | 6 apps | 4 apps |
| Verified | Verified | Verified |
| Released | Feb 2025 | Jan 2025 |
Agent Rank breakdown
- Autonomy fit
- 8
- Capabilities
- 6
- Integrations
- 10
- Pricing value
- 10
- Polish & maturity
- 7
- Verifiability
- 10
Auto-computed from autonomy, capabilities, integrations, pricing, maturity and editorial verification. Updated every deploy. How is this computed?
- Autonomy fit
- 8
- Capabilities
- 6
- Integrations
- 2
- Pricing value
- 4
- Polish & maturity
- 5
- Verifiability
- 10
Auto-computed from autonomy, capabilities, integrations, pricing, maturity and editorial verification. Updated every deploy. How is this computed?
Pros & cons
- +Strongest OSS workflow automation in 2026 — production-ready at any scale
- +Self-host keeps proprietary data on your infra
- +Multi-agent + AI agent nodes are first-class, not bolted on
- −Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- −Cloud pricing is competitive but self-host operational overhead is real
- −Community support primary; commercial SLA is paid tier
- +AI-driven bookkeeping with human reviewers — best-of-both reliability
- +Tax + R&D credit + CFO services bundled at higher tiers
- +Used by 2,000+ venture-backed startups
- −$499/mo entry is high for pre-seed founders
- −Mostly US-focused — limited international support
- −Less control if you want hands-on involvement in bookkeeping
Pricing
- +Apache-2.0 fair-use license
- +Unlimited workflows
- +Full agent node support
- +Hosted runtime
- +Active workflows
- +BYO LLM key supported
- +10K executions/mo
- +Multi-user
- +Workflow versioning
- +Monthly bookkeeping
- +P&L + balance sheet
- +Accrual basis
- +Custom reporting
- +Industry-specific
- +A/R + A/P management
- +Dedicated controller
- +CFO services
- +Audit support
Which one should you pick?
Pick n8n Agents if cost is the main constraint or if auditability or self-hosting matters.
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Frequently asked
Should I pick n8n Agents or Pilot in 2026?+
Pick n8n Agents if cost is the main constraint or if auditability or self-hosting matters. Pick Pilot if its specific capabilities (Tool use, Memory) match what you need. Most working teams running both can use n8n Agents for primary work and Pilot for the workflows where its specific strengths matter.
What's the price difference between n8n Agents and Pilot?+
n8n Agents starts at Free · OSS; Pilot starts at Subscription · from $499. n8n Agents is the cheaper entry option. For team deployments the TCO can differ — use the AI Agent Rank TCO calculator for your specific volume.
Which is more autonomous, n8n Agents or Pilot?+
Both n8n Agents and Pilot are Semi-autonomous agents — neither has a meaningful autonomy advantage over the other. The decision should hinge on capabilities and pricing instead.