n8n Agents vs Windsurf: 2026 comparison
Open-source workflow automation with first-class AI agent nodes — self-host or use cloud.
n8n Agents vs Windsurf — specs
| Spec | n8n Agents | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Rank | 85 / 100 (S) | 78 / 100 (A) |
| Autonomy | Semi-autonomous | Semi-autonomous |
| Pricing | Free · OSS | Freemium · from $15 |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Capabilities | Tool use, Memory, Multi-agent | Code, Tool use, Memory, Browser |
| Integrations | 6 apps | 2 apps |
| Verified | Verified | Verified |
| Released | Feb 2025 | Apr 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
- 8
- Integrations
- 4
- Pricing value
- 8
- Polish & maturity
- 9
- 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
- +Cascade agent flows are the strongest "watch it work" UI in any IDE-native agent
- +Cheapest Pro tier in the category at $15/month
- +Codeium has a deep model team — completion quality consistently leads
- −Smaller ecosystem of extensions than Cursor
- −Pro Ultimate ($60) is opaque on which models are actually premium
- −Memory feature less mature than Cursor + Claude Code memories
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
- +Limited Cascade flow runs
- +Standard models
- +Editor + chat
- +Unlimited Cascade flows
- +All Pro models
- +Background agents
- +Memories
- +Highest model priority
- +Premium models included
- +Higher concurrency
- +SSO + admin
- +Usage analytics
- +Shared memories
Which one should you pick?
Pick n8n Agents if cost is the main constraint or if auditability or self-hosting matters.
Try n8n Agents →Pick Windsurf if its specific capabilities (Code, Tool use) match what you need.
Try Windsurf →Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked
Should I pick n8n Agents or Windsurf in 2026?+
Pick n8n Agents if cost is the main constraint or if auditability or self-hosting matters. Pick Windsurf if its specific capabilities (Code, Tool use) match what you need. Most working teams running both can use n8n Agents for primary work and Windsurf for the workflows where its specific strengths matter.
What's the price difference between n8n Agents and Windsurf?+
n8n Agents starts at Free · OSS; Windsurf starts at Freemium · from $15. 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 Windsurf?+
Both n8n Agents and Windsurf are Semi-autonomous agents — neither has a meaningful autonomy advantage over the other. The decision should hinge on capabilities and pricing instead.