OpenClaw vs n8n
API workflows vs browser agents.
Here’s the honest take: n8n and OpenClaw can work together. They’re solving different problems.
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform. You connect APIs, build visual workflows, and self-host the whole thing.
OpenClaw is an AI agent that operates browsers. It does the things that don’t have APIs — the clicking, the form-filling, the human-like navigation.
At a Glance
The quick answer before we go deeper
Choose n8n
You want open-source workflow automation with visual building, self-hosting, and API integrations. You love having full control over your automation stack.
- Self-hosted, open source
- Visual workflow builder
- 400+ integrations
- Technical control
Choose OpenClaw
You need to automate things that don’t have APIs. Browser tasks, form filling, clicking through web apps — the stuff that n8n can’t reach.
- Browser automation
- No API required
- AI-driven decisions
- Handles any website
The Real Difference
n8n connects apps through their APIs.
OpenClaw operates apps through their interfaces — like a human would.
They’re complementary. Use n8n for API workflows. Use OpenClaw for browser tasks.
What we’re actually comparing
No jargon, just clear definitions
What is n8n
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform. You build workflows visually by connecting nodes — each node does something (API call, data transform, send email). It’s self-hostable, which means you run it on your own server.
It’s got 400+ integrations and a fair-code license (free for most uses, paid for some commercial deployments). The community loves it because you own your data and your infrastructure.
Best for:
Technical teams who want self-hosted automation with full control over their stack.
What is OpenClaw
OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent that operates browsers. It navigates websites, clicks buttons, fills forms, extracts data — all the things that don’t have API endpoints. It’s also self-hostable, so that’s something they share.
You describe what you want in plain language. OpenClaw figures out the steps and executes them. It’s not a workflow builder — it’s more like a remote worker who can operate any web tool.
Best for:
Browser automation, AI-driven tasks, and workflows that can’t be solved with APIs alone.
Real scenarios, real answers
Which tool would you actually pick?
You want to sync data between your CRM, email tool, and database
This is n8n's bread and butter. API connections, data transforms, scheduled syncs. Build it once, runs forever.
You need to scrape competitor pricing from websites that don't have APIs
n8n can't navigate websites. OpenClaw opens the browser, finds the prices, and pulls the data — just like you would.
You want to trigger automations when a webhook fires
n8n handles webhooks beautifully. Listen for the event, run your workflow, done.
You need to log into a legacy portal and download reports automatically
No API means n8n can't help. OpenClaw logs in, navigates the UI, clicks download, saves the file.
You want to build complex data pipelines with multiple API calls
n8n's visual builder makes this easy. Connect your nodes, transform data between them, handle errors.
You want AI to read content on a webpage and decide what to do next
OpenClaw's AI can browse, read, reason, and act. n8n can call AI APIs but can't give them browser control.
The honest take
n8n and OpenClaw aren’t really competitors. Use n8n for your API-based automations. Use OpenClaw for the browser stuff n8n can’t touch. They can even trigger each other via webhooks.
OpenClaw vs n8n
The 10 differences that matter
Type of automation
API-based workflow automation. You connect services that expose APIs and build data flows between them.
Browser-based automation. You automate anything you can do in a web browser — with or without an API.
If there's no API, n8n stops. OpenClaw keeps going.
How you build
Visual workflow builder. Drag nodes onto a canvas, connect them, configure each step.
Describe in plain language. Tell OpenClaw what you want done, it figures out the steps.
Two very different approaches — both valid.
Self-hosting
Built for self-hosting. Docker, Kubernetes, whatever you like. Your server, your data.
Also self-hostable. Run on your own VPS for always-on automation. You control the infrastructure.
This is something they have in common.
The core difference:
n8n connects APIs. OpenClaw operates software the way a human would.
Open source philosophy
Fair-code license. Free for most uses, paid enterprise license for some commercial deployments.
Working with websites
Limited to HTTP requests. You can call URLs, but you can't navigate pages, click buttons, or interact with web UIs.
Full browser control. Navigate, click, type, scroll, extract — everything a human can do in a browser.
This is OpenClaw's core strength.
AI capabilities
AI nodes let you call LLM APIs (OpenAI, etc). AI as a step in your workflow.
AI is the engine. OpenClaw uses AI to understand pages, make decisions, and adapt to what it sees.
We recommend VPS for real automationIntegrations
400+ built-in nodes for popular services. If it's not there, you can build custom nodes or use HTTP requests.
Infinite integrations via browser. If the tool has a web interface, OpenClaw can operate it.
Want to see OpenClaw in action?
Get the $19 WorkshopLearning curve
Steeper for non-technical users. You need to understand APIs, data structures, and workflow logic.
Easier after initial setup. Describe tasks in plain language. The hard part is getting started — not day-to-day use.
If you want it built cleanly: Done For You SetupCost structure
Self-hosted is free (fair-code). Cloud version has usage-based pricing. Enterprise license for large commercial use.
Open source + AI API costs + optional VPS. No per-workflow pricing.
Fastest baseline: Get the $19 WorkshopWhat success looks like
A workflow running on your server, moving data between services exactly how you designed it.
A browser agent completing tasks you'd otherwise do manually — including tasks that have no API.
Feature by Feature
Which one should you choose?
Choose n8n if
- You want visual workflow building with full control
- Your automations connect services that have APIs
- You like self-hosting and owning your infrastructure
- You're technical and comfortable with data structures
- You need complex data transformations and routing
Choose OpenClaw if
- You need to automate browser tasks without APIs
- You want AI that can make decisions mid-workflow
- You prefer describing tasks in plain language
- Your tools don't have integrations or clean APIs
- You want to automate like a human would
Or use both
n8n for your API workflows. OpenClaw for browser tasks. They can trigger each other via webhooks. Many teams run both — it’s not either/or.
See how OpenClaw compares to other tools:
Frequently Asked Questions
n8n is excellent for API-based automation.
For browser tasks, AI decisions, and the stuff without APIs — that’s OpenClaw.
Use both. They’re complementary. The $19 workshop gets you started with OpenClaw in about 15 minutes.