n8n vs Microsoft Agent Framework 1.0
Which one should you pick? Here's the full breakdown.
n8n
Open-source workflow automation with AI nodes, self-hostable and way cheaper than Zapier for complex flows
Microsoft Agent Framework 1.0
Microsoft's MIT-licensed open-source agent orchestration framework -- GA on 2026-04-03. Merges Semantic Kernel and AutoGen into a single SDK. Python and .NET. Native MCP and A2A protocol support. Connectors for Foundry, Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Claude, Bedrock, Gemini, Ollama
| Category | n8n | Microsoft Agent Framework 1.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Output Quality | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| Value | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| Features | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 | 8.4 |
Pricing Comparison
| Feature | n8n | Microsoft Agent Framework 1.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Starting Price | $0 | $0 |
Which Should You Pick?
Pick n8n if...
Technical users and teams who want powerful automation without per-step pricing. Especially strong if you can self-host and want AI agent workflows.
Visit n8nPick Microsoft Agent Framework 1.0 if...
- ✓Better value for money (10/10)
Enterprise developers on .NET or mixed Python + .NET stacks who want an MIT-licensed agent orchestration framework with real enterprise credibility. Also good for Azure Foundry customers who want first-class native integration. Teams migrating from Semantic Kernel or AutoGen should plan the move to Microsoft Agent Framework 1.0 now rather than later.
Visit Microsoft Agent Framework 1.0Our Verdict
Microsoft Agent Framework 1.0 edges out n8n with a 8.4 vs 8.0 overall score. Both are solid picks, but Microsoft Agent Framework 1.0 has the advantage in output quality.