n8nvsSemantic Kernel

Full side-by-side comparison — features, pricing, platforms, and which one wins in 2026.

n8n

Automation Platforms

Open-source workflow automation with built-in AI capabilities

Full review →Website ↗

Semantic Kernel

Developer Tools

Microsoft's AI orchestration SDK for building agents with .NET, Python, and Java

Full review →Website ↗
Featuren8nSemantic Kernel
CategoryAutomation PlatformsDeveloper Tools
PricingFree (self-hosted), cloud from $20/moFree (open-source)
GitHub Stars
✓ More stars
52k
23k
PlatformsmacOS, Linux, Windows, DockerLinux, macOS, Windows
Key Features
  • ✓ 400+ integrations (APIs, databases, SaaS)
  • ✓ Native AI nodes (LLM, vector store, RAG chains)
  • ✓ Visual drag-and-drop workflow builder
  • ✓ Self-hostable via Docker (full data control)
  • ✓ Webhook triggers, cron schedules, event-driven
  • ✓ JavaScript/Python code nodes for custom logic
  • ✓ Credential management and encryption
  • ✓ Active community (52K+ GitHub stars)
  • ✓ Plugin system
  • ✓ Memory
  • ✓ Planner
  • ✓ Multi-language
  • ✓ Azure integration
Pros
  • + Self-hostable (full data control)
  • + 400+ integrations
  • + Visual workflow builder
  • + Native AI/LLM nodes
  • + Active community
  • + Enterprise-ready with Microsoft backing
  • + Multi-language (C#, Python, Java)
  • + Deep Azure OpenAI integration
  • + Plugin architecture for extensibility
Cons
  • − Resource-heavy for self-hosting
  • − Learning curve for complex workflows
  • − Heavy enterprise focus
  • − Verbose API compared to alternatives
Tags
automationworkflowno-codeself-hostedintegrations
microsoftsdkenterprisedotnet

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