Apache Airflow
Platform to programmatically author, schedule, and monitor workflows.
Apache Airflow vs n8n
Two self-hosted Automation apps, compared on the facts we track: GitHub popularity and activity, license, language, Docker images and a rough hosting estimate.
Side by side
| Apache Airflow | n8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Platform to programmatically author, schedule, and monitor workflows. | Free node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services. |
| GitHub stars | 47,367 | 209,589 |
| Forks | 18.3k | 61.4k |
| Open issues (incl. PRs) | 1.9k | 1.2k |
| Commits (12 months) | 8.3k | 10.3k |
| Last activity | 2026-11-05 | 2026-11-05 |
| Latest release | 3.3.2 (2026-09-17) | stable (2026-11-04) |
| Maintenance health | Active | Active |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0, Commons-Clause |
| Language / platform | Python, Docker | Nodejs |
| Docker Hub image | apache/airflow | – |
| Docker pulls | 1710865.5k | – |
| Est. server size | ~1 GB, 1 vCPU | ~1 GB, 1 vCPU |
| Est. hosting from | $5/mo | $5/mo |
| Categories | Automation | Automation |
| Links | Website · Source | Website · Source |
What the numbers say
- n8n is more popular on GitHub: 209.6k stars vs 47.4k for Apache Airflow.
- n8n published a release more recently (stable on 2026-11-04; Apache Airflow's latest is 3.3.2 on 2026-09-17).
- Apache Airflow is licensed under Apache-2.0, n8n under Apache-2.0, Commons-Clause.
- Apache Airflow is written in Python; n8n in Nodejs.
- Deployment options listed upstream: Apache Airflow: Docker; n8n: none listed.
- Only Apache Airflow has a Docker Hub image that we detected (apache/airflow).
Summary: Apache Airflow leads on Docker Hub availability; n8n leads on GitHub popularity. The right choice depends on the features you need — read both project descriptions and docs.
This summary is generated from GitHub, Docker Hub and awesome-selfhosted data as of 2026-11-05. It does not rate features or quality.
Get the Docker images
Apache Airflow
docker pull apache/airflowImage on Docker Hub. Ports, volumes and environment variables differ per app; follow the official docs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apache Airflow or n8n more popular?
n8n has more GitHub stars (209,589 vs 47,367 for Apache Airflow, as of 2026-11-05). Stars measure interest, not quality.
Which is more actively maintained, Apache Airflow or n8n?
Commits in the last 12 months: Apache Airflow 8,323, n8n 10,318. Both had repository activity on 2026-11-05. Our health labels: Apache Airflow is “Active”, n8n is “Active”.
What licenses do Apache Airflow and n8n use?
Apache Airflow: Apache-2.0. n8n: Apache-2.0, Commons-Clause. Note: n8n includes a non-free license component.
Can I run Apache Airflow and n8n with Docker?
Apache Airflow has a Docker Hub image (apache/airflow). We did not find one for n8n; check its documentation for install options.
Read more
n8n
Free node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services.
Browse all self-hosted Automation apps.