n8n vs Phantombuster
Complete 2026 battlecard: Which platform offers better ROI for your team size and workflow?
n8n
Workflow Automation & Scraping
$26/mo
★ 4.8 (1600)
Fair-code workflow automation with self-hosting freedom and advanced AI LangChain nodes.
Try n8n ↗VS
Phantombuster
Workflow Automation & Scraping
$69/mo
★ 4.4 (1950)
No-code growth automation and lead extraction Phantoms for LinkedIn, Sales Navigator, and Twitter.
Try Phantombuster ↗💰 Team Size Total Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly cost across team sizes based on baseline entry commercial plans.
| Team Size | n8n Total Cost | Phantombuster Total Cost | Price Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Active Users | $26/mo | $69/mo | n8n saves $43 |
| 10 Active Users | $26/mo | $69/mo | n8n saves $43 |
| 25 Active Users | $26/mo | $69/mo | n8n saves $43 |
⚠️ Hidden Costs Comparison
n8n Hidden Fees
- Self-hosted production setups require cloud VPS hosting ($10–$40/mo on Hetzner/DigitalOcean)
- Hosted cloud tier plans charge for additional executions beyond 2,500/month
- Enterprise features (SSO, LDAP, external secrets managers) require commercial licenses
Phantombuster Hidden Fees
- Custom residential proxies must be purchased externally to prevent LinkedIn account bans ($15–$30/mo)
- Email discovery credits beyond plan allowance cost $0.05 to $0.10 per contact
- Slots limit the number of active Phantoms you can keep configured at once
🏆 The Verdict: Which Tool Should You Pick?
Choose n8n if:
Developers, technical founders, and privacy-conscious enterprises who want to self-host automation for free.
Choose Phantombuster if:
Growth hackers and SDRs automating LinkedIn profile views, connection invites, and Sales Navigator exports.