Luigi 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?
Luigi
Python module for building complex batch job pipelines
VS
n8n
Workflow automation with a node-based editor
| Feature | Luigi | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Automation & Workflows | Automation & Workflows |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Sustainable Use License |
| Language | Python | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 18,762 | ★ 199,764 |
| First released | 2012 | 2019 |
| Replaces | AWS Step Functions | Zapier, Make |
Why pick each one
Frequently asked questions
Is Luigi or n8n better?
Neither is universally better. n8n has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Luigi and n8n free and open-source?
Yes. Luigi is licensed under Apache-2.0 and n8n under Sustainable Use License. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Luigi and n8n with Docker?
Luigi: check the project docs for container support. n8n: yes.