# Cursor vs n8n

> Cursor: AI coding agent and VS Code-based editor for multi-file edits and cloud agents
> n8n: Build and self-host workflow automations and AI agents with visual nodes and custom code

- Cursor profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/cursor
- n8n profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/n8n
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/cursor-vs-n8n
- Last reviewed: November 2026

## Verdict

Cursor is listed under Coding AI and n8n under Productivity. Cursor scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.7 vs 8.3 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only Cursor is available on Windows, macOS and iOS. Only n8n offers an API.

### Choose Cursor if

- You want a tool built for Multi-file feature work, codebase-wide refactoring, delegating tasks to background agents, reviewing pull requests.
- Familiar VS Code-based editor with extension and keybinding support.
- Local and cloud agents that can run in parallel on multi-file tasks.

### Choose n8n if

- You want a tool built for Teams that want self-hostable automation with code-level control and AI agent workflows.
- Free self-hosted Community Edition with almost the full feature set and no license key.
- Execution-based pricing counts a whole workflow run as one execution, however many steps it has.

## Pricing

| | Cursor | n8n |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Cursor | n8n |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Agents | Yes | Not listed |
| Cloud agents | Yes | Not listed |
| Tab and inline edits | Yes | Not listed |
| Codebase indexing | Yes | Not listed |
| Model choice | Yes | Not listed |
| Bugbot code review | Yes | Not listed |
| CLI | Yes | Not listed |
| Slack app and iOS app | Yes | Not listed |
| Marketplace and rules | Yes | Not listed |
| Privacy mode | Yes | Not listed |
| Visual Workflow Canvas | Not listed | Yes |
| Code in Any Step | Not listed | Yes |
| AI Agents and RAG | Not listed | Yes |
| MCP Support | Not listed | Yes |
| Human-in-the-Loop Approvals | Not listed | Yes |
| 500+ Integrations | Not listed | Yes |
| Faster Iteration | Not listed | Yes |
| Templates | Not listed | Yes |
| Enterprise Controls | Not listed | Yes |
| Flexible Deployment | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Cursor | n8n |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | No |
| macOS | Yes | No |
| iOS | Yes | No |
| Android | No | No |
| API | No | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Linux | Yes | No |
| CLI | Yes | No |

## Cursor strengths

- Familiar VS Code-based editor with extension and keybinding support
- Local and cloud agents that can run in parallel on multi-file tasks
- Choice of models from several providers, including Cursor's own
- Covers editor, CLI, web, Slack, iOS and PR review in one product
- Privacy mode and SOC 2 and ISO certifications for team use

## Cursor limitations

- Third-party model usage is billed separately from the plan at API list price
- Pricing is bundled with Grok and uses weekly usage pools, which makes costs harder to predict
- No Android app, and the iOS app only controls local agents
- Indexing can be heavy on very large repositories

## n8n strengths

- Free self-hosted Community Edition with almost the full feature set and no license key.
- Execution-based pricing counts a whole workflow run as one execution, however many steps it has.
- JavaScript and Python can be used in any step, which suits technical users.
- More than 500 integrations and over 10,000 community templates.
- On-premises and air-gapped deployment plus SSO, LDAP and audit logging for enterprises.

## n8n limitations

- Fair-code license is not OSI-approved open source.
- Business tier starts at about €667 per month billed annually and is self-hosted only for now, with a Cloud waitlist.
- The Community Edition lacks projects, SSO, Git version control and log streaming.
- Cloud Starter is capped at 2.5K executions per month and 5 concurrent executions.

## FAQ

**Is Cursor better than n8n?**

It depends on your workflow. Cursor is built for Multi-file feature work, codebase-wide refactoring, delegating tasks to background agents, reviewing pull requests. n8n is built for Teams that want self-hostable automation with code-level control and AI agent workflows.

**What are the key feature differences between Cursor and n8n?**

Cursor: AI coding agent and VS Code-based editor for multi-file edits and cloud agents. n8n: Build and self-host workflow automations and AI agents with visual nodes and custom code. Cursor is rated 5.0/5 from 1 user review.

**Does Cursor or n8n have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Cursor is freemium and n8n is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Cursor or n8n?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.