Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

n8n.io VS Nest.js

Compare n8n.io VS Nest.js and see what are their differences

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n8n.io logo n8n.io

Free and open fair-code licensed node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services.

Nest.js logo Nest.js

A progressive Node.js framework for building efficient, reliable and scalable server-side applications.
  • n8n.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-06-26
  • Nest.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-26

n8n.io

Website
n8n.io
$ Details
freemium $20.0 / Monthly
Platforms
Browser TypeScript JavaScript Web Linux Docker Windows Mac OSX
Release Date
2019 January
Startup details
Country
Germany
State
Berlin
City
Berlin
Employees
10 - 19

n8n.io features and specs

  • Open Source
    n8n.io is open-source, allowing users to modify and extend the platform as needed. This ensures transparency and community-driven improvements.
  • Flexibility
    The platform provides a high degree of flexibility, supporting a wide range of automation scenarios and custom workflow configurations.
  • Extensive Integrations
    n8n.io supports many third-party integrations, making it easy to connect various applications and services in workflows.
  • Self-hosting Option
    Users can choose to self-host n8n.io, which provides greater control over data security and privacy.
  • Visual Interface
    The visual workflow builder makes it easy for users to design and manage workflows without needing extensive coding knowledge.

Possible disadvantages of n8n.io

  • Learning Curve
    Due to its flexibility and range of features, n8n.io can have a steeper learning curve for beginners compared to more straightforward automation tools.
  • Performance
    Performance can be an issue for complex workflows or high-volume operations, especially when self-hosted on basic infrastructure.
  • Documentation
    While improving, documentation can sometimes be lacking or not comprehensive, making it challenging for new users to find necessary information.
  • Limited Support
    As an open-source project, professional support may be limited compared to commercial automation platforms, which might offer more robust support options.
  • Cost for Cloud Hosting
    n8n.io offers a cloud-hosted version with a subscription fee, which could be a downside for users looking for a completely free solution.

Nest.js features and specs

  • Modular Architecture
    Nest.js uses a modular architecture which is highly organized and maintainable. This allows for better separation of concerns and makes it easier to manage large-scale applications by dividing them into smaller, reusable modules.
  • TypeScript Support
    Nest.js is built with TypeScript, providing strong typing and compile-time checks. This leads to fewer runtime errors and improved code readability and maintainability.
  • Dependency Injection
    The framework includes a powerful dependency injection system, which enables better testability and easier management of application components.
  • Built-in Middleware
    Nest.js supports middleware out of the box, allowing developers to easily add additional request-processing logic at different points in the request lifecycle.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Nest.js offers comprehensive and detailed documentation, which helps developers quickly get up to speed and resolve issues more efficiently.
  • Scalability
    The framework is designed to be scalable, making it suitable for projects of varying sizes—from small applications to large enterprise-level systems.
  • Integration with Modern Libraries
    Nest.js seamlessly integrates with modern libraries and frameworks such as GraphQL, WebSockets, and TypeORM, extending its capabilities and allowing for versatile development options.
  • Active Community
    An active and growing community around Nest.js means there are plenty of resources, tutorials, and third-party tools available to assist with development.

Possible disadvantages of Nest.js

  • Learning Curve
    Due to its rich feature set and use of TypeScript, Nest.js can have a steep learning curve for developers who are not familiar with these technologies.
  • Overhead
    The reliance on the decorators and classes can introduce additional overhead, potentially making simple projects more complex than necessary.
  • Limited Flexibility
    Nest.js follows an opinionated architecture pattern, which can be restrictive for developers who prefer a more flexible or unstructured approach.
  • Performance
    While Nest.js is generally performant, the abstraction layers and TypeScript compile steps can introduce slight performance overhead compared to more lightweight alternatives.
  • Dependency on TypeScript
    The heavy reliance on TypeScript can be a drawback for developers who prefer to use plain JavaScript, or who are not familiar with TypeScript.
  • Community Compared to Mainstream Frameworks
    Although the Nest.js community is active and growing, it is still smaller compared to more established frameworks like Express.js or Koa, potentially limiting the amount of shared knowledge and third-party packages available.

Analysis of n8n.io

Overall verdict

  • Yes, n8n.io is considered to be a good tool for workflow automation.

Why this product is good

  • Open Source: n8n is open-source, allowing users to access the code, improve it, and contribute back to the community.
  • Customizable: It offers a high degree of flexibility and customization, enabling users to tailor workflows to specific needs.
  • Extensive Integrations: n8n provides a wide range of integrations with other services and applications, facilitating complex workflows.
  • Self-Hosting: Users can self-host n8n, giving them full control over their data and infrastructure.
  • Community Support: There is a robust community of users and developers who share resources, tips, and best practices.

Recommended for

  • Developers and technical users looking for a customizable automation tool.
  • Organizations that prefer open-source solutions and want more control over their infrastructure.
  • Teams looking to automate processes and integrate different services without writing excessive code.
  • Users who prefer or require self-hosted solutions for data privacy or security reasons.

Analysis of Nest.js

Overall verdict

  • Nest.js is an excellent choice for building scalable and maintainable server-side applications, especially if you prefer a structured and opinionated framework.

Why this product is good

  • Nest.js is built on top of Express.js, which is a well-established framework in the Node.js ecosystem, providing robust features and flexibility.
  • It follows the modular architecture inspired by Angular, making it a great choice for developers familiar with Angular's dependency injection and design patterns.
  • Nest.js supports TypeScript out of the box, which enhances code quality and maintainability through static typing.
  • The framework is highly extensible and allows easy integration with various libraries and tools.
  • Nest.js provides extensive documentation and an active community, which facilitates problem-solving and learning.

Recommended for

  • Developers looking for a TypeScript-first backend framework.
  • Teams that value modularity and clear project organization in their web applications.
  • Projects that require rapid development with modern JavaScript features and strong community support.
  • Backend systems that need to be scalable and performant using Node.js.

n8n.io videos

n8n.io - Typeform to Google Sheet and Slack or Email

More videos:

  • Review - n8n.cloud | Powerful workflow automation tool
  • Review - n8n.io - Slack Notification on Github Star
  • Review - Get started with n8n.cloud (Part 1)

Nest.js videos

Why I chose Nest.js over Express.js in 2020

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to n8n.io and Nest.js)
Automation
100 100%
0% 0
Web Frameworks
0 0%
100% 100
Web Service Automation
100 100%
0% 0
JavaScript Framework
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare n8n.io and Nest.js

n8n.io Reviews

The Best n8n.io Alternatives for Workflow Automation in 2025
} } AlternativesRadzivon AlkhovikLow-code automation enthusiastSeptember 17, 2024A low-code platform blending no-code simplicity with full-code power 🚀Get started freeHome/Blog/The Best n8n.io Alternatives for Workflow Automation in 2025 .ellipsis { max-width: 100%; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; } September 17, 2024•10min readThe Best n8n.io...
Source: latenode.com
The 6 Best n8n.io Alternatives for 2024
When you're trying to automate your repetitive tasks, it often feels like you're spinning a bunch of plates in the air and making zero progress, doesn't it? You're far from alone. If you use n8n.io for your workflow automation and are left needing more, then you should take a look at the best n8n.io alternatives.
N8n.io Alternatives
As businesses increasingly seek efficient workflow automation tools, N8n.io has emerged as a popular choice. However, it's not the only option available. This article explores some of the best N8n.io alternatives, considering factors like ease of use, integration capabilities, and pricing. Whether you're a startup or an established enterprise, finding the right tool can...
Source: apix-drive.com
13 data integration tools: a comparative analysis of the top solutions
A standout feature of n8n is the self-hosted mode (even on a free tier!), which allows data ownership and control. For those who value data ownership and want to avoid high-cost operations, n8n is certainly a worthy consideration.
Source: blog.n8n.io
10 n8n.io Alternatives
n8n.io is a sleek and simple workflow automation platform that never indulges you in unnecessary things and boosts your productivity while letting you focus only on productive things. Some of its super reliable functions are free and open-source, fair code license, easily extendable, and extreme data safety and security. Get on n8n.io – Automate without Limits Tool to know...

Nest.js Reviews

Top JavaScript Frameworks in 2025
Nest (NestJS) is a framework for building efficient and scalable server-side backend applications using Node.Js. Internally, it actually makes use of JavaScript Back-end frameworks like Express (which is the default, and optionally Fastify can be configured to use as well!
Source: solguruz.com
10 Best Next.js Alternatives to Consider Today
For TypeScript aficionados seeking a framework with a modular, scalable architecture, NestJS stands out. Built on top of Node.js, NestJS offers a powerful set of abstractions for building server-side applications. Its modular structure facilitates the creation of scalable and maintainable codebases, making it a preferred choice for enterprise-level applications where a...
The 20 Best Laravel Alternatives for Web Development
NestJS is a Node.js framework that’s inspired by Angular, and guess what? It’s written in TypeScript. Building with Typescript is like you’re navigating with the stars. It’s all about sturdy architecture, a server-side framework that enjoys the scripting superness while piling on extra sturdiness.
Top 10 Best Node. Js Frameworks to Improve Web Development
It is a structure, which is used for making expert, versatile Node.js applications on the server-side. It employs powerful JavaScript plus designed with TypeScript. Working with TypeScript indicates Nest brings uninterrupted writing and incorporates elements like the following
Top 14 Node.JS Frameworks: Which Will Rule in 2020?
Nest utilizes Express.JS and provides an unusual app architecture that allows for the easy development of easily maintainable, loosely paired and highly scalable and testable apps. Developers can use Nest CLI for developing NestJS apps with different features.

Social recommendations and mentions

Nest.js might be a bit more popular than n8n.io. We know about 219 links to it since March 2021 and only 185 links to n8n.io. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

n8n.io mentions (185)

  • Your Guide To Using Open Source Software as an Indie Developer
    There was a time when open source software meant “functional, but clunky.” That’s changed. Tools like Plausible (analytics), N8N (automation), Umami (web stats), and Vaultwarden (password manager) are beautifully built, stable, and powerful. Many match or even beat their commercial alternatives. - Source: dev.to / 13 days ago
  • AI, Heidegger, and Evangelion
    Yes, it would—the dialogic interface is an anchor weighing us down! Yes, yes, it's an accessible demonstration of the technology's mind-blowing flexibility, but all this "I, you, me, I'm" nonsense clutters the context window and warps the ontology in way that introduces a major epistomological "optical illusion" that exploits (inadvertently?) a pretty fundamental aspect of human cognition—namely our inestimably... - Source: Hacker News / 14 days ago
  • Supercharged automated workflows, no code required 🔥
    We walk through how to connect n8n, an open-source automation tool, with Upsun’s Git-based deployment flow. The result: event-driven automation triggered by deploy hooks or webhooks, with zero new backend code to maintain. - Source: dev.to / 19 days ago
  • 🤖 Automating WhatsApp with AI Agents: A Developer's Guide to Scalable Customer Support
    To set up such a system, developers can take advantage of tools like n8n – a modular tool to automate workflows, combined with the newest AI tools like GPT-4. Here’s a more detailed explanation. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • I made my AI think harder by making it argue with itself. It works stupidly well
    The app is actually called n8n - https://n8n.io/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
View more

Nest.js mentions (219)

  • Awesome Next.js API Routes with next-api-decorators
    Often, developers opt for a framework when building out APIs, as they offer alternative means of representing resources, and many tools and utilities designed to make this process easier. One such example is NestJS (Not to be confused with Next.js!). This is a batteries-included, powerful "framework for building efficient, scalable Node.js server-side applications". Heavily inspired by Angular, this framework... - Source: dev.to / 4 days ago
  • Scalable REST API Architecture with NestJS, Prisma, Swagger, & Docker: How To.
    NestJS is a progressive Node.js framework inspired by Angular's architecture. It uses TypeScript and follows object-oriented programming principles, making it ideal for building scalable server-side applications. Its modular structure encourages the separation of concerns, leading to more maintainable code. (Check out Nest). - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Next.js vs Nest.js: Understanding the Difference
    Read more about Next.js here and Nest.js here. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Secure Your REST API Using Keycloak Role-Based Access Control
    In this article, we will walk through a step-by-step process to secure a Nest.js RESTful API using Keycloak. This includes setting up an application client and configuring authentication and RBAC for your API endpoints. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Next.js vs Nest.js: What to Choose in 2025?
    The rapid evolution of web development in 2025 makes it imperative to choose a framework that truly fits your project. Whether this involves a dynamic web application, scalable API, or high-performance SaaS product, the decision to select Next.js or Nest.js becomes all the more key. While both do their thing really well, in this sense, they don't do the same thing. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing n8n.io and Nest.js, you can also consider the following products

Zapier - Connect the apps you use everyday to automate your work and be more productive. 1000+ apps and easy integrations - get started in minutes.

ExpressJS - Sinatra inspired web development framework for node.js -- insanely fast, flexible, and simple

Make.com - Tool for workflow automation (Former Integromat)

Laravel - A PHP Framework For Web Artisans

ifttt - IFTTT puts the internet to work for you. Create simple connections between the products you use every day.

Adonis JS - AdonisJs is a Node.js web framework with breath of fresh air and drizzle of elegant syntax on top of it