n8n
Rocket.Chat
| Feature | n8n | Rocket.Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $24/mo | Free / from $4/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Best For | developers, technical-teams, agencies, cost-conscious-teams, ai-builders | security-conscious-organizations, government, self-hosters, enterprises |
| Founded | 2019 | 2015 |
| Workflows | ✓ | ✗ |
| Self Hosting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Code Nodes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Agents | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api | ✓ | ✗ |
| Docker | ✓ | ✗ |
| Channels | ✗ | ✓ |
| Direct Messaging | ✗ | ✓ |
| Video Calls | ✗ | ✓ |
| Federation | ✗ | ✓ |
| E2e Encryption | ✗ | ✓ |
| Marketplace | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Rocket.Chat Pros
- Fully open-source and self-hostable
- End-to-end encryption
- Federation support between instances
- Highly customizable
✗ Rocket.Chat Cons
- Self-hosted requires maintenance
- Mobile apps less polished than Slack
- Smaller app ecosystem
The Verdict
n8n is built for developers and technical teams, with a focus on workflows and self-hosting. Rocket.Chat targets security conscious organizations and government and leads with channels and direct-messaging.
On pricing, Rocket.Chat is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $4/mo compared to $24/mo for n8n. That $20/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
n8n edges out on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.1). While both are well-regarded, that gap reflects real differences in user satisfaction worth considering.
Feature-wise, n8n offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Rocket.Chat takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Bottom line: n8n has a slight overall edge — but if fully open-source and self-hostable matters most to you, Rocket.Chat may still be the right call.
