n8n vs StackStorm
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?
n8n
Workflow automation with a node-based editor
VS
StackStorm
Event-driven automation, often called IFTTT for ops
| Feature | n8n | StackStorm |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Automation & Workflows | Automation & Workflows |
| License | Sustainable Use License | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 199,764 | ★ 6,515 |
| First released | 2019 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Zapier, Make | Zapier, AWS Systems Manager |
Why pick each one
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n or StackStorm better?
n8n is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider StackStorm if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are n8n and StackStorm free and open-source?
Yes. n8n is licensed under Sustainable Use License and StackStorm under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run n8n and StackStorm with Docker?
n8n: yes. StackStorm: yes.