# n8n alternatives for AI agents

2 alternatives to n8n. 2 have an interface an agent can drive. 1 is open source.

Page: alternatives/n8n.html

## EDDI

Config-driven server that runs AI agents from versioned JSON, driven by MCP, REST or A2A.

- Listing: apps/labsai--eddi.html
- JSON: apps/labsai--eddi.json
- License: Apache-2.0
- Agent interface: MCP server, from the builder
- Reach: 8 of 10 jobs
- Last activity: 2026-11-03
- Effort: config-only
- Agent cannot reach: Create knowledge bases and ingest documents for RAG; Manage the secrets vault, import agents and sync instances
- Use it when: I want agents defined in versioned config that my coding agent can create and deploy over MCP instead of writing framework code
- Use it when: I need agents that stop for human approval and keep an audit trail in a self-hosted deployment
- Use it when: I want several agents to debate a question and hand back a synthesized answer
- Use it when: I want my agents to call agents on other platforms over A2A and to answer those platforms too
- Gotcha: Infrastructure-grade: a Java 25 server plus MongoDB or PostgreSQL, with optional Keycloak and NATS for authentication and clustering
- Gotcha: The shipped default has OIDC off, so no endpoint needs a token, A2A JSON-RPC included; the compose files bind to 127.0.0.1, so turn authentication on before exposing it
- Gotcha: A2A agents are opt-in: set a2aEnabled per agent. eddi.a2a.enabled is on by default but only switches the endpoints
- Gotcha: The root Agent Card describes only the first A2A-enabled agent; other agents use /a2a/agents/{agentId}/.well-known/agent-card.json
- Gotcha: A2A ListTasks, SubscribeToTask, push notifications and the extended card are refused, and clustered deployments need a shared IA2ATaskStore
- Gotcha: Set EDDI_VAULT_MASTER_KEY or secret references such as ${vault:name} fail; store provider keys there, not in agent JSON
- Gotcha: Most creating MCP tools are not idempotent: after a transport error, check with a list tool before retrying or you get a duplicate

## Heym

Self-hosted runtime for agentic workflows, driven by MCP, with its agent also served over A2A.

- Listing: apps/heymrun--heym.html
- JSON: apps/heymrun--heym.json
- License: MIT with Commons Clause
- Agent interface: MCP server, from the builder
- Reach: 8 of 10 jobs
- Last activity: 2026-11-03
- Effort: config-only
- Agent cannot reach: Enter credentials; Turn on MCP and A2A, and set team access
- Use it when: I want to build agent workflows on my own servers without paying per execution
- Use it when: I want my coding agent to build, test and run workflows for me through one MCP tool
- Use it when: I want a person to approve what an agent does before the run continues
- Use it when: I want another agent to send tasks to my self-hosted workflow platform over A2A
- Gotcha: The Commons Clause forbids selling a product or service whose value comes substantially from Heym, and it names hosting and consulting fees. An agency that charges to host or support Heym needs a commercial license
- Gotcha: A2A is off by default and rides on the Heym Agent: turn on the agent, pick a credential and model, then tick Enable A2A. Until then the card address returns 404
- Gotcha: A2A 1.0 only: 0.3 method names such as message/send are refused, push notifications are not offered, and file parts are refused
- Gotcha: Named servers serve their card at /api/a2a/servers/{server_id}/agent-card.json, not the well-known path
- Gotcha: heym_chat is one plain-language tool, so an MCP client's reach runs through a model on your own credential
- Gotcha: Test runs from heym_chat are real runs and their side effects happen
- Gotcha: An agent cannot enter a credential; a person has to save it on a Heym page

## Questions

### Is there an open source alternative to n8n?

Yes. 1 of the 2 listings here is open source: EDDI (Apache-2.0).

### Which n8n alternatives have an MCP server?

EDDI and Heym have MCP servers from their builders.

### Which n8n alternative can an agent do the most with?

EDDI: 8 of 10 recorded jobs reachable. Heym: 8 of 10 recorded jobs reachable. Jobs differ by listing, so read each list before you choose.