head to head · open source
n8n vs better_thermostat
n8n has 205,086 GitHub stars, 60,753 forks, 1,143 open issues and last shipped today. better_thermostat has 1,483 stars, 174 forks, 56 open issues and last shipped 6 days ago. n8n leads on adoption by 13,729% (205,086 vs 1,483 stars). n8n is written in TypeScript under a custom or non-standard licence; better_thermostat is written in Python under AGPL-3.0. n8n has attracted 30% as many forks as stars, better_thermostat 12%. n8n was the more recently maintained of the two, and both are self-hostable with no licence fee.
Two open source projects, one decision. Both are free and self-hostable — the differences are community size, license terms, language stack and release pace.
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Side by side
| n8n | better_thermostat | |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ★ 205K | ★ 1.5K |
| License | Custom / other | AGPL-3.0 |
| Written in | TypeScript | Python |
| Last push | 2026-09-18 | 2026-09-12 |
| Forks | ⑂ 61K | ⑂ 174 |
| Self-hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Data ownership | Your server | Your server |
pick n8n if
- You weight community size — 205K stars and counting
- You want the Custom / other license terms
- Your stack matches TypeScript
- You value the larger contributor base for long-term maintenance
pick better_thermostat if
- You want the better_thermostat feature set and don't need the biggest community
- You prefer the AGPL-3.0 license terms
- Your stack matches Python
- You evaluated both and better_thermostat fits your workflow better
About n8n
n8n is a visual workflow automation platform built in TypeScript that combines a drag and drop editor with custom code execution. It lives in the integration and automation ecosystem, positioned as an open alternative to proprietary services like Zapier. Users design multi step workflows—called “n8n flows”—that connect apps, services, and custom logic to automate repetitive tasks.
About better_thermostat
Better Thermostat For more info visit: Requirements Minimum required Home Assistant version: 2026.7.2 ( continuously tested against Home Assistant ) Companion UI We've created a companion UI element which can display more information than the default thermostat element in Home Assistant. Check it out via HACS: better thermostat ui card If you have a question or need help please create a new discussion or check if your question is already answered If you have a suggestion, found a bug, or want to add a new device or function create a new issue If you want to contribute to this project create a new pull request Fea…
read the full better_thermostat overview →
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Frequently asked questions
Is n8n or better_thermostat more popular?
n8n has 205,086 GitHub stars and better_thermostat has 1,483. n8n has the larger community by that measure.
Are n8n and better_thermostat free?
Both are open source. n8n has no licence declared in this registry, and better_thermostat is licensed under AGPL-3.0. Both are free to self-host.
What is the difference between n8n and better_thermostat?
n8n is written in TypeScript and better_thermostat in Python. The practical differences are community size, licence terms, language stack and release cadence — all compared in the table above.
Which should I choose, n8n or better_thermostat?
Choose n8n if you want the larger community (205,086 stars) or its Custom / other licence terms. Choose better_thermostat if its feature set, stack or AGPL-3.0 licence fits better. Both are self-hostable.