n8n
Personio
| Feature | n8n | Personio |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $24/mo | Contact sales |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Best For | developers, technical-teams, agencies, cost-conscious-teams, ai-builders | european-smbs, hr-managers, growing-companies, people-ops-teams |
| Founded | 2019 | 2015 |
| Workflows | ✓ | ✗ |
| Self Hosting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Code Nodes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Agents | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api | ✓ | ✗ |
| Docker | ✓ | ✗ |
| Recruiting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Onboarding | ✗ | ✓ |
| Time Tracking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Absence Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Payroll Prep | ✗ | ✓ |
| Performance Reviews | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ n8n Pros
- Free self-hosting (forever)
- Full JavaScript/Python in every node
- AI agent workflow builder
- No per-task pricing when self-hosted
✗ n8n Cons
- Requires technical setup for self-hosting
- 400+ integrations vs Zapier's 7,000+
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier or Make
✓ Personio Pros
- All-in-one HR for SMBs
- Strong European compliance (GDPR)
- Intuitive self-service for employees
- Good integrations with payroll providers
✗ Personio Cons
- Pricing not transparent
- Best suited for European companies
- Can be complex to initially configure
The Verdict
n8n is built for developers and technical teams, with a focus on workflows and self-hosting. Personio targets european smbs and hr managers and leads with recruiting and onboarding.
Personio uses custom enterprise pricing, while n8n starts at $24/mo — a tangible advantage for teams with a fixed budget.
n8n has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Personio requires a paid subscription from day one.
Feature-wise, n8n offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Personio takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Bottom line: n8n has a slight overall edge — but if all-in-one hr for smbs matters most to you, Personio may still be the right call.
