SHSelfHostIndex

Actions Runner Controller vs n8n

A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted automation & workflows options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.

Not the right match-up?
AC Actions Runner Controller Run self-hosted GitHub Actions runners on Kubernetes VS N8 n8n Workflow automation with a node-based editor
FeatureActions Runner Controllern8n
CategoryAutomation & WorkflowsAutomation & Workflows
LicenseApache-2.0Sustainable Use License
LanguageGoTypeScript
Setup difficultyHardMedium
Min. RAM512 MB512 MB
Deploymentkubernetes, helmdocker, bare-metal
GitHub stars★ 6,422★ 199,764
First released20202019
ReplacesGitHub-hosted runnersZapier, Make

Why pick each one

Choose Actions Runner Controller if…

  • Elastic CI capacity
  • Keeps builds in your cluster
Actions Runner Controller details

Choose n8n if…

  • Powerful and flexible
  • Huge integration library
  • Code when you need it
n8n details

Frequently asked questions

Is Actions Runner Controller or n8n better?

n8n is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Actions Runner Controller if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are Actions Runner Controller and n8n free and open-source?

Yes. Actions Runner Controller is licensed under Apache-2.0 and n8n under Sustainable Use License. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run Actions Runner Controller and n8n with Docker?

Actions Runner Controller: check the project docs for container support. n8n: yes.

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