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Google Opal vs n8n Comparison Guide

Should you vibe-code AI mini apps with Google Opal or wire up serious automations with n8n? This comparison shows where each one wins.

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Google Opal vs n8n

Google Opal vs n8n: Which Automation Tool Should You Use?

Google Opal and n8n both help you build workflows, but they’re designed for very different audiences and use cases.

  • Google Opal is a no-code, AI-first mini-app builder from Google Labs. You describe what you want in natural language, and Opal turns it into a visual workflow and a shareable mini app, with hosting handled for you.

  • n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform for technical teams. It connects apps, APIs and databases using visual node-based flows, with options for self-hosting, custom code and deep monitoring.

So Opal is about AI mini apps built from prompts, while n8n is about serious workflow automation and integration.

1. At a Glance: Opal vs n8n

Google Opal

  • No-code AI mini-app builder (Google Labs)

  • You type what you want; Opal builds a workflow and UI for you

  • Strong focus on Gemini-based AI and natural-language vibe coding

  • Fully hosted by Google – no servers, no deployment needed

  • Best for creators, marketers, small teams who want simple AI tools quickly

n8n

  • Open-source, low-code workflow automation and integration platform

  • Drag-and-drop visual flows, plus JavaScript nodes for advanced logic

  • Can be self-hosted or run in n8n Cloud, with fine-grained control over data and infra

  • Integrates hundreds of apps, APIs, databases, queues, etc.

  • Best for developers, ops and data teams who need complex, reliable automations

2. What Is Google Opal?

Google Opal lives inside Google Labs (and now powers experimental Gems in the Gemini web app). You:

  1. Type a goal in plain English – for example:
    “Create a tool that reviews my product page and writes an SEO description.”

  2. Opal translates that into a multi-step visual workflow – inputs, Gemini model calls, tools. 

  3. You refine it using a visual editor or more natural-language instructions, then share it as a mini app.

Key traits:

  • 100% no-code – you never see raw code.

  • AI-centric – every app is built around Gemini and prompt flows. 

  • Instant hosting – Opal publishes your app and gives you a link; you don’t worry about servers.

  • Templates gallery – ready-made apps like Blog Post Writer, Business Profiler, City Builder, etc., that you can remix.

Think of Opal as “prompt → polished tool” for AI use cases.

3. What Is n8n?

n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is a workflow automation platform that:

  • Lets you build flows by connecting nodes (triggers, actions, conditions, etc.) in a canvas.

  • Is open-source under a fair-code license, with the code publicly available.

  • Can be self-hosted (Docker, Kubernetes, on-prem) or run in n8n Cloud.

Common use cases:

  • Sync data between CRMs, databases, spreadsheets and internal APIs

  • Automate onboarding, support, billing, notifications and ETL jobs

  • Build multi-step AI agents and RAG pipelines that call LLMs plus your own services.

n8n is often compared with Zapier/Make, but with deeper control: custom JS, branching, error handling, monitoring and enterprise features.

4. Core Differences: Opal vs n8n

4.1 Primary purpose

  • Opal: Build AI mini apps with UI (like “Blog Writer” or “Business Profiler”) using Gemini, hosted by Google. Not a general integration platform.

  • n8n: Orchestrate workflows and integrations across many systems (APIs, DBs, queues, SaaS tools). AI is one powerful node type, not the whole story.

4.2 Who it’s for

  • Opal: Non-technical users, marketers, solo creators, small teams who want quick AI tools and don’t want to manage infra.

  • n8n: Developers, DevOps, data engineers, technically minded teams that care about self-hosting, security, branching logic and long-running workflows.

4.3 Interface & customization

  • Opal:

    • Natural-language “vibe coding” + visual blocks.

    • Limited low-level control; you mostly tweak prompts, steps and basic options.

  • n8n:

    • Drag-and-drop nodes with detailed config.

    • Add JavaScript nodes, environment variables, queue mode and more for advanced logic.

4.4 Hosting & data control

  • Opal: Fully hosted by Google Labs / Gemini. You rely on Google’s infra and policies; great for convenience, less ideal if you need strict on-prem control.

  • n8n: Can be self-hosted behind your firewall or in your own cloud, or used as a managed SaaS. That’s a big win for privacy-sensitive or regulated teams.

4.5 Integrations

  • Opal: Today, tightly coupled with Gemini, Google tools and a growing set of Opal actions. Great for AI-centric tasks, but not a replacement for a full integration hub.

  • n8n: Dozens to hundreds of integrations (CRMs, DevOps tools, DBs, messaging apps, etc.), plus generic HTTP, webhook and database nodes so you can connect almost anything with an API.

4.6 Reliability & operations

  • Opal:

    • Focused on interactive mini apps.

    • Great for ad-hoc or user-triggered flows.

    • Limited information (today) about logs, SLAs or complex scheduling.

  • n8n:

    • Built-in error handling, retries, backup workflows, logs and metrics.

    • Designed for production automation that runs 24/7.

4.7 Pricing & licensing

  • Opal: Currently offered as a free Google Labs experiment; you just need a Google account and a browser. Long term pricing has not been finalized.

  • n8n:

    • Open-source / fair-code; you can self-host under its Sustainable Use License.

    • Paid n8n Cloud and enterprise plans add hosting, support, SSO, etc.

5. When to Choose Google Opal

Pick Opal if:

  • Your main goal is to build AI helpers with a UI (writers, profilers, planners, quizzes, etc.).

  • You don’t want to manage infrastructure or deployments at all.

  • Most of your data and work already live in the Google ecosystem.

  • You’re OK with an experimental tool whose features and limits may change.

Good examples:

  • A blog post wizard for your content site.

  • A Business Profiler mini app that reviews a website and generates insights.

  • Lightweight tools you share with clients via a link.

6. When to Choose n8n

Pick n8n if:

  • You need serious automation across many systems (CRM, DB, ticketing, Slack, billing, custom APIs).

  • You care about self-hosting, data residency and security.

  • Your team is comfortable with basic scripting and wants the ability to inject custom code where needed.

  • You want monitoring, alerting and error handling for production workflows, not just interactive tools.

Good examples:

  • Automating user onboarding across HR, ID provider, email and Slack.

  • Running daily ETL jobs that sync databases and SaaS tools.

  • Building AI agents that call LLMs plus internal APIs, with reliable retries and logs.

7. Can You Use Both Together?

Yes—Opal and n8n can complement each other:

  • Use Opal to build front-end AI mini apps (e.g., a “Lead Scoring Assistant” UI).

  • Behind the scenes, let that app call webhooks or APIs that trigger n8n workflows for the heavy lifting: data sync, CRM updates, notifications, and long-running tasks.

In that setup:

  • Opal handles the user experience and Gemini prompts.

  • n8n handles the backend orchestration and integrations.

8. Bottom Line

  • Choose Google Opal if you want a fast, hosted way to turn ideas into AI mini apps and you’re happy to live mostly inside Google’s ecosystem.

  • Choose n8n if you need a flexible, self-hostable automation engine that connects lots of systems, supports custom code and can run mission-critical workflows.