n8n alternatives · Automation
Alternatives to n8n with a one-time purchase
The n8n listing shows no one-time purchase. 7 of the 40 other automation tools in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.
n8n has a free plan. Paid plans start at €20 / month, billed annually, for 2,500 executions (n8n Cloud Starter). 6 of them are free or have a free plan.
7 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
How each one differs from n8n
- Free plan · from $16/mo
Pabbly Connect
Workflow automation that counts only action steps as tasks
- Pabbly Connect starts at $16 / month, billed yearly, for 10,000 tasks ($19 monthly; $14 on a 3-year term). n8n starts at €20 / month, billed annually, for 2,500 executions (n8n Cloud Starter).
- Pabbly Connect can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- n8n is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Pabbly Connect also covers no-code.
- Free plan · from $1.49
MacroDroid
Android automation app built on triggers, actions and constraints
- MacroDroid starts at $1.49 - $10.00 per item in-app; the Pro upgrade is a one-time payment. n8n starts at €20 / month, billed annually, for 2,500 executions (n8n Cloud Starter).
- Only MacroDroid lists an Android app.
- Only n8n lists a web app.
- MacroDroid can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Pushcut
Smart notifications, widgets and a server for Apple Shortcuts
- Pushcut starts at $1.99 / month for Pro, or $17.99 per year. n8n starts at €20 / month, billed annually, for 2,500 executions (n8n Cloud Starter).
- Only Pushcut lists an iOS app.
- Only n8n lists a web app.
- Pushcut can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free plan · from $99.95 one-time
Macro Recorder
Records mouse and keyboard actions for replay on Windows and Mac
- Macro Recorder starts at $99.95 one-time for the Standard edition, with 12 months of updates. n8n starts at €20 / month, billed annually, for 2,500 executions (n8n Cloud Starter).
- Only Macro Recorder lists Windows and macOS apps.
- Only n8n lists a web app.
- Macro Recorder can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free plan · from $149 one-time
RoboTask
Task automation for Windows built from ready-made actions
- RoboTask starts at $149 one-time for a Personal license, with 1 year of updates. n8n starts at €20 / month, billed annually, for 2,500 executions (n8n Cloud Starter).
- Only RoboTask lists a Windows app.
- Only n8n lists a web app.
- RoboTask can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free trial · from $4.49 one-time
Tasker
Android automation app driven by profiles, contexts and tasks
- Tasker starts at $4.49 one-time purchase on Google Play. n8n starts at €20 / month, billed annually, for 2,500 executions (n8n Cloud Starter).
- n8n has a free plan. Tasker does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Tasker lists an Android app.
- Only n8n lists a web app.
- Free plan · from $4.99 one-time
Automate
Android automation app that builds tasks as flowcharts
- Automate starts at $4.99 one-time in-app purchase. n8n starts at €20 / month, billed annually, for 2,500 executions (n8n Cloud Starter).
- Only Automate lists an Android app.
- Only n8n lists a web app.
- Automate can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Common questions
Is there an alternative to n8n that you buy once?
Yes. Pabbly Connect, MacroDroid, Pushcut, Macro Recorder, RoboTask, Tasker and Automate can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Can you buy n8n once instead of subscribing?
The n8n listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 4, 2026 against the pages it cites.
Which of these automation tools are free?
Pabbly Connect, MacroDroid, Pushcut, Macro Recorder, RoboTask and Automate are free or have a free plan.
When was this checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to n8n: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.