kitio.ain8n vs Claude Cowork
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Claude Cowork has the lower starting price: about $20 a month, against $24 for n8n.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Node-based workflow editor
- AI Agent node
- JavaScript and Python code nodes
- MCP client and server
- Self-hosted Community Edition
- Multi-step task handoff
- Local file access
- Scheduled tasks
- Phone-to-desktop task sending
- App connectors and extensions
| Feature | n8n | Claude Cowork |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Source-available workflow automation you can self-host | Claude desktop agent that works through tasks in your files and apps |
| Category | Agents & automation | Agents & automation |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | $24/mo | $20/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Made by | n8n GmbH | Anthropic |
| Based in | Germany | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Claude Cowork has the lower starting price: about $20 a month, against $24 for n8n.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Community
Free
- Self-hosted
- Free and source-available
Starter
$24/mo
- 2.5K workflow executions
- 5 concurrent executions
- 1,600 Assistant credits/month
Pro
$60/mo
- 10K workflow executions
- Up to 50 concurrent executions
- 3 shared projects
Business
€667/mo billed yearly
- 40K workflow executions
- SSO and LDAP
- Self-hosted
Enterprise
Contact sales
- 200+ concurrent executions
- 365 days of insights
- External secret stores
3 plans
Pro
$20/mo
- Hand off and schedule tasks
- More usage than Free
- Claude in Chrome and Microsoft 365
Max
$100/mo
- 5x Pro usage
- $100 monthly API credits
- Priority access at busy times
Ultra
$200/mo
- 10x Pro usage each week
- No 5-hour limit for verified users
- $200 monthly API credits
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
n8n
- Free to self-host
- Billed per execution, not per step
- Code steps when no-code falls short
- Self-hosting means owning updates and security
- Short log retention on the cheapest cloud plan
Claude Cowork
- Works directly on files on your computer
- Tasks can be started from your phone
- Uses the same Claude account and memory
- Needs the desktop app to run tasks
- Usage limits are shared with regular Claude chat
- Heavier tasks push you toward costly plans
Which one should you choose?
Choose n8n if you want:
- Free to self-host
- Billed per execution, not per step
- Code steps when no-code falls short
Watch out: self-hosting means owning updates and security.
Choose Claude Cowork if you want:
- Works directly on files on your computer
- Tasks can be started from your phone
- Uses the same Claude account and memory
Watch out: needs the desktop app to run tasks.
n8n vs Claude Cowork FAQ
What is the difference between n8n and Claude Cowork?
n8n: Source-available workflow automation you can self-host. Claude Cowork: Claude desktop agent that works through tasks in your files and apps. Both are agents & automation tools.
Is n8n or Claude Cowork cheaper?
Claude Cowork has the lower starting price: about $20 a month, against $24 for n8n.
Do n8n and Claude Cowork have free plans?
n8n: Yes. Claude Cowork: No.
Who makes n8n?
n8n is made by n8n GmbH, based in Germany.
Who makes Claude Cowork?
Claude Cowork is made by Anthropic, based in United States.
Which should I choose, n8n or Claude Cowork?
Choose n8n if you value free to self-host and billed per execution, not per step. Choose Claude Cowork if you value works directly on files on your computer and tasks can be started from your phone.