Lovable vs n8n

Neutral, data‑driven comparison to evaluate code assistance.

Comparing 2 AI tools.

Upvotes:
314
Avg. Rating:
4.3
Slogan:
Build full-stack apps from plain English
Pricing Model:
Freemium
Enterprise
Pay-per-Use
Monthly Pricing (USD):
$0 – $50 / month
Min$0 / month
Mid$25 / month
Max$50 / month
Free tier
Pricing Details:
Free plan with 5 daily credits (up to 50/month), Pro $25/month (100 monthly credits plus 5 daily credits up to 150/month), Business $50/month (same credits as Pro with advanced features like SSO and data training opt-out), Teams $30/month (collaborative workspace for teams), Enterprise custom pricing
Platforms:
Web App
API
Target Audience:
Software Developers, Entrepreneurs, Product Managers, Content Creators, AI Enthusiasts
Website:
Visit Site
Upvotes:
481
Avg. Rating:
4.2
Slogan:
Open-source workflow automation with native AI integration
Pricing Model:
Freemium
Enterprise
Monthly Pricing (USD):
$50 – $800 / month
Min$50 / month
Mid$24 / month
Max$800 / month
Pricing Details:
Free self-hosted Community Edition, Cloud Starter $20/month (2.5K executions), Pro $50/month (10K executions), Business $800/month (self-hosted), Enterprise custom pricing. All plans include unlimited users, workflows, and steps.
Platforms:
Web App
Desktop App
CLI Tool
API
Plugin/Integration
Target Audience:
Software Developers, Product Managers, Business Executives, Entrepreneurs, Customer Service, AI Enthusiasts
Website:
Visit Site

Why this comparison matters

This comprehensive comparison of Lovable and n8n provides objective, data-driven insights to help you choose the best code assistance solution for your needs. We evaluate both tools across multiple dimensions including feature depth, pricing transparency, integration capabilities, security posture, and real-world usability.

Whether you're evaluating tools for personal use, team collaboration, or enterprise deployment, this comparison highlights key differentiators, use case recommendations, and cost-benefit considerations to inform your decision. Both tools are evaluated based on verified data, community feedback, and technical capabilities.

Core features and quality
Pricing and total cost
Integrations and platform support
Privacy, security, compliance

Quick Decision Guide

Choose Lovable if:

  • Cost savings—Lovable starts at $0/month (100% less than n8n's $50/month)
  • Broader SDK support—Lovable offers 2 SDKs (1 more than n8n) for popular programming languages
  • Multilingual support—Lovable supports 7 languages vs n8n's 5
  • Unique features—Lovable offers ai app builder and no-code platform capabilities not found in n8n

Choose n8n if:

  • Multi-platform flexibility—n8n supports 5 platforms (3 more than Lovable), ideal for diverse teams
  • Enterprise-ready—n8n offers enterprise-grade features, SSO, and dedicated support
  • Community favorite—n8n has 481 upvotes (53% more than Lovable), indicating strong user preference
  • Unique features—n8n offers workflow automation and ai integration capabilities not found in Lovable

Pro tip: Start with a free trial or free tier if available. Test both tools with real workflows to evaluate performance, ease of use, and integration depth. Consider your team size, technical expertise, and long-term scalability needs when making your final decision.

When to Choose Each Tool

When to Choose Lovable

Lovable is the better choice when you prioritize developer-friendly features (2 SDKs vs 1). Lovable provides 2 SDKs (1 more than n8n), making it ideal for teams with specific requirements.

Ideal for:

  • Cost savings—Lovable starts at $0/month (100% less than n8n's $50/month)
  • Broader SDK support—Lovable offers 2 SDKs (1 more than n8n) for popular programming languages
  • Multilingual support—Lovable supports 7 languages vs n8n's 5
  • Unique features—Lovable offers ai app builder and no-code platform capabilities not found in n8n

Target Audiences:

Software Developers
Entrepreneurs
Product Managers
Content Creators

When to Choose n8n

n8n excels when you need broader platform support (5 vs 2 platforms). n8n supports 5 platforms compared to Lovable's 2, making it ideal for enterprise users requiring robust features.

Ideal for:

  • Multi-platform flexibility—n8n supports 5 platforms (3 more than Lovable), ideal for diverse teams
  • Enterprise-ready—n8n offers enterprise-grade features, SSO, and dedicated support
  • Community favorite—n8n has 481 upvotes (53% more than Lovable), indicating strong user preference
  • Unique features—n8n offers workflow automation and ai integration capabilities not found in Lovable

Target Audiences:

Software Developers
Product Managers
Business Executives
Entrepreneurs

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Lovable

Value Proposition

Freemium model allows gradual scaling without upfront commitment. Pay-as-you-go pricing aligns costs with actual usage. API and SDK access enable custom automation, reducing manual work.

ROI Considerations

  • API access enables automation, reducing manual work

n8n

Value Proposition

Freemium model allows gradual scaling without upfront commitment. Pay-as-you-go pricing aligns costs with actual usage. Multi-platform support reduces need for multiple tool subscriptions. API and SDK access enable custom automation, reducing manual work.

ROI Considerations

  • Single tool replaces multiple platform-specific solutions
  • API access enables automation, reducing manual work

Cost Analysis Tip: Beyond sticker price, consider total cost of ownership including setup time, training, integration complexity, and potential vendor lock-in. Tools with free tiers allow risk-free evaluation, while usage-based pricing aligns costs with value. Factor in productivity gains, reduced manual work, and improved outcomes when calculating ROI.

Who Should Use Each Tool?

Lovable is Best For

  • Software Developers
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Product Managers
  • Content Creators
  • AI Enthusiasts

n8n is Best For

  • Software Developers
  • Product Managers
  • Business Executives
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Customer Service

Pricing Comparison

Lovable
Best Value

Pricing Model

Freemium, Enterprise, Pay-per-Use

Details

Free plan with 5 daily credits (up to 50/month), Pro $25/month (100 monthly credits plus 5 daily credits up to 150/month), Business $50/month (same credits as Pro with advanced features like SSO and data training opt-out), Teams $30/month (collaborative workspace for teams), Enterprise custom pricing

Estimated Monthly Cost

$0 - $50/month

n8n

Pricing Model

Freemium, Enterprise

Details

Free self-hosted Community Edition, Cloud Starter $20/month (2.5K executions), Pro $50/month (10K executions), Business $800/month (self-hosted), Enterprise custom pricing. All plans include unlimited users, workflows, and steps.

Estimated Monthly Cost

$50 - $800/month

Strengths & Weaknesses

Lovable

Strengths

  • Free tier available
  • Developer-friendly (2+ SDKs)
  • API available

Limitations

  • Few integrations
  • Not GDPR compliant

n8n

Strengths

  • Free tier available
  • Multi-platform support (5 platforms)
  • API available

Limitations

  • Few integrations
  • Not GDPR compliant

Community Verdict

Lovable

4.3(4 ratings)
314 community upvotes

n8n

4.2(6 ratings)
481 community upvotes

Integration & Compatibility Comparison

Lovable

Platform Support

Web App
API

Integrations

Plugin/Integration

Developer Tools

SDK Support:

Python
JavaScript/TypeScript

✓ REST API available for custom integrations

n8n

Platform Support

Web App
Desktop App
CLI Tool
API
Plugin/Integration

✓ Multi-platform support enables flexible deployment

Integrations

Plugin/Integration

Developer Tools

SDK Support:

JavaScript/TypeScript

✓ REST API available for custom integrations

Integration Evaluation: Assess how each tool fits into your existing stack. Consider API availability for custom integrations if native options are limited. Evaluate integration depth, authentication methods (OAuth, API keys), webhook support, and data synchronization capabilities. Test integrations in your environment before committing.

Developer Experience

Lovable

SDK Support

Python
JavaScript/TypeScript

API

✅ REST API available

n8n

SDK Support

JavaScript/TypeScript

API

✅ REST API available

Deployment & Security

Lovable

Deployment Options

Cloud

Compliance

GDPR status not specified

Hosting

Global

n8n

Deployment Options

Cloud

Compliance

GDPR status not specified

Hosting

Global

Common Use Cases

Lovable

ai app builder
no-code platform
full-stack development
natural language prompts
rapid prototyping
github integration
supabase backend
react code generation
mvp development
web app generator

+9 more use cases available

n8n

workflow automation
ai integration
no-code automation
low-code platform
visual workflow builder
open-source automation
business process automation
api integration
ai agents
langchain integration

+8 more use cases available

Making Your Final Decision

Choosing between Lovable and n8n ultimately depends on your specific requirements, team size, budget constraints, and long-term goals. Both tools offer unique strengths that may align differently with your workflow.

Consider Lovable if:

  • Cost savings—Lovable starts at $0/month (100% less than n8n's $50/month)
  • Broader SDK support—Lovable offers 2 SDKs (1 more than n8n) for popular programming languages
  • Multilingual support—Lovable supports 7 languages vs n8n's 5

Consider n8n if:

  • Multi-platform flexibility—n8n supports 5 platforms (3 more than Lovable), ideal for diverse teams
  • Enterprise-ready—n8n offers enterprise-grade features, SSO, and dedicated support
  • Community favorite—n8n has 481 upvotes (53% more than Lovable), indicating strong user preference

Next Steps

  1. Start with free trials: Both tools likely offer free tiers or trial periods. Use these to test real workflows and evaluate performance firsthand.
  2. Involve your team: Get feedback from actual users who will interact with the tool daily. Their input on usability and workflow integration is invaluable.
  3. Test integrations: Verify that each tool integrates smoothly with your existing stack. Check API documentation, webhook support, and authentication methods.
  4. Calculate total cost: Look beyond monthly pricing. Factor in setup time, training, potential overages, and long-term scalability costs.
  5. Review support and roadmap: Evaluate vendor responsiveness, documentation quality, and product roadmap alignment with your needs.

Remember: The "best" tool is the one that fits your specific context. What works for one organization may not work for another. Take your time, test thoroughly, and choose based on verified data rather than marketing claims. Both Lovable and n8n are capable solutions—your job is to determine which aligns better with your unique requirements.

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FAQ

Is Lovable better than n8n for Code Assistance?

There isn’t a universal winner—decide by fit. Check: (1) Workflow/UI alignment; (2) Total cost at your usage (seats, limits, add‑ons); (3) Integration coverage and API quality; (4) Data handling and compliance. Use the table above to align these with your priorities.

What are alternatives to Lovable and n8n?

Explore adjacent options in the Code Assistance category. Shortlist by feature depth, integration maturity, transparent pricing, migration ease (export/API), security posture (e.g., SOC 2/ISO 27001), and roadmap velocity. Prefer tools proven in production in stacks similar to yours and with clear SLAs/support.

What should I look for in Code Assistance tools?

Checklist: (1) Must‑have vs nice‑to‑have features; (2) Cost at your scale (limits, overages, seats); (3) Integrations and API quality; (4) Privacy & compliance (GDPR/DSA, retention, residency); (5) Reliability/performance (SLA, throughput, rate limits); (6) Admin, audit, SSO; (7) Support and roadmap. Validate with a fast pilot on your real workloads.

How should I compare pricing for Lovable vs n8n?

Normalize to your usage. Model seats, limits, overages, add‑ons, and support. Include hidden costs: implementation, training, migration, and potential lock‑in. Prefer transparent metering if predictability matters.

What due diligence is essential before choosing a Code Assistance tool?

Run a structured pilot: (1) Replicate a real workflow; (2) Measure quality and latency; (3) Verify integrations, API limits, error handling; (4) Review security, PII handling, compliance, and data residency; (5) Confirm SLA, support response, and roadmap.