n8n vs Huginn: Which Automation Platform to Self-Host?
Quick Verdict
n8n is the better choice for most people. It has a modern visual editor, 400+ built-in integrations, active development, and a growing community. Huginn is a capable but aging tool — its last tagged release was in 2022, and its Ruby-based architecture makes it harder to extend and maintain.
Overview
n8n is a modern workflow automation platform with a visual node editor, hundreds of pre-built connectors, and strong developer ergonomics. Built with TypeScript, it targets teams replacing Zapier or Make.
Huginn is a system for building agents that monitor the web and act on your behalf. Think of it as a self-hosted IFTTT built before IFTTT existed. Created in 2013, it uses Ruby on Rails with a web-based agent configuration interface. Agents are configured via JSON forms rather than a visual flow editor.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | n8n | Huginn |
|---|---|---|
| UI | Visual drag-and-drop canvas | Form-based agent configuration |
| Built-in integrations | 400+ | ~60 agent types |
| Custom code | JavaScript/Python nodes | Ruby agent classes |
| Credential management | Encrypted store | Per-agent credential fields |
| Error handling | Built-in retry + error workflows | Per-agent logging |
| Scheduling | Cron, interval, and trigger nodes | Per-agent scheduling (cron-like) |
| Webhook support | Built-in webhook trigger | WebhookAgent and WebRequestAgent |
| Multi-user | Yes (roles and permissions) | Yes (basic multi-user) |
| Web scraping | HTTP Request node + HTML Extract | WebsiteAgent (built-in scraper) |
| Email monitoring | Gmail/IMAP triggers | ImapFolderAgent |
| License | Sustainable Use License | MIT |
| Language | TypeScript | Ruby |
| Last major release | February 2026 (v2.8.3) | August 2022 (v2022.08.18) |
Installation Complexity
n8n needs PostgreSQL for production. Two containers, ~10 environment variables.
Huginn also needs a database (MySQL or PostgreSQL). The multi-process image bundles MySQL internally, but for production you should run an external database. Configuration requires ~15+ environment variables including APP_SECRET_TOKEN, database credentials, and SMTP settings.
# Huginn with external MySQL
services:
huginn:
image: huginn/huginn
ports:
- "3000:3000"
environment:
APP_SECRET_TOKEN: "your-long-random-string"
HUGINN_DATABASE_NAME: huginn
# ... 10+ more env vars
mysql:
image: mysql:5.7Both are moderate to set up. n8n’s documentation is significantly better for Docker deployment.
Performance and Resource Usage
| Metric | n8n | Huginn |
|---|---|---|
| RAM (idle) | ~250 MB (+ DB) | ~350 MB (+ DB) |
| CPU (idle) | Low | Low-Medium (Ruby processes) |
| Disk | ~500 MB | ~600 MB |
| Concurrent tasks | Hundreds (worker mode) | Dozens (DelayedJob workers) |
Huginn’s Ruby runtime is heavier than n8n’s Node.js process. Under load, Huginn’s DelayedJob-based worker system processes tasks sequentially per worker, while n8n can scale horizontally with queue mode.
Community and Support
| Metric | n8n | Huginn |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 60k+ | 44k+ |
| Active development | Very active (weekly releases) | Minimal (last tagged release Aug 2022) |
| Documentation | Comprehensive (docs.n8n.io) | README + wiki (dated) |
| Community | Active forum, Discord | GitHub issues (slow responses) |
| Commercial backing | n8n GmbH (VC-funded) | Community-maintained |
This is the deciding factor for many. Huginn’s development has stalled — the Docker image still gets occasional builds from main, but there are no version-tagged releases since 2022. n8n ships features weekly.
Use Cases
Choose n8n If…
- You want active development and long-term support
- You need a visual workflow editor
- You’re replacing Zapier/Make and need SaaS integrations
- You need multi-user with roles and permissions
- You want built-in error handling and retries
- You need to scale workflows horizontally
Choose Huginn If…
- You want MIT-licensed software with no restrictions
- You need powerful web scraping with built-in agents
- You’re comfortable with Ruby and want to write custom agents
- You prefer a “set and forget” monitoring system
- You have existing Huginn workflows you don’t want to migrate
Final Verdict
Pick n8n. While Huginn pioneered self-hosted automation and its agent model is clever, the project’s stalled development is a serious concern. n8n offers a better UI, more integrations, active maintenance, and a clear upgrade path. The only scenario where Huginn still makes sense is if you already have it running and your workflows depend on its specific agent types.
For new deployments, n8n is the obvious choice. If you’re currently on Huginn, consider migrating — n8n can replicate most Huginn workflows with its HTTP Request, webhook, and scheduling nodes.
FAQ
Can I migrate from Huginn to n8n?
There’s no automated migration tool. You’ll need to recreate your Huginn agents as n8n workflows manually. Most Huginn agent types have n8n equivalents — WebsiteAgent maps to HTTP Request + HTML Extract, SchedulerAgent maps to Cron triggers, etc.
Is Huginn abandoned?
Not officially, but development has slowed dramatically. The Docker image still gets builds from the main branch, and community PRs are occasionally merged, but there are no tagged releases since August 2022.
Does n8n’s license matter for self-hosting?
n8n uses the Sustainable Use License, which permits self-hosting for internal use. You cannot resell n8n as a service. For personal and business internal use, there are no restrictions.
Related
Get self-hosting tips in your inbox
New guides, comparisons, and setup tutorials — delivered weekly. No spam.