n8n vs Camunda vs Flowable: Choosing the Right Workflow Automation Tool

Amira K. August 08, 2025


When it comes to workflow automation, three names often appear in the conversation: n8n, Camunda, and Flowable.
While they all deal with workflows, they serve different purposes and target different audiences.

Here’s how they compare.

1. Purpose & Focus

  • n8n

    • A low-code automation and integration platform.

    • Perfect for quickly connecting apps, APIs, and services without deep coding.

    • Open-source alternative to Zapier/Make.

    • Focus: Integrations & lightweight automations.

  • Camunda

    • A BPMN workflow and DMN rules engine for enterprise-level processes.

    • Designed for long-running, regulated business workflows.

    • Strong in orchestration, monitoring, and audit compliance.

    • Focus: Business process orchestration.

  • Flowable

    • Another BPMN and DMN engine, but lighter and more developer-friendly than Camunda.

    • Often chosen for embedded workflows inside custom applications.

    • Flexible, Java-based, and supports CMMN for case management.

    • Focus: Customizable, developer-focused process automation.

2. Complexity of Workflows

  • n8n → Best for short, event-driven workflows like: “When a form is submitted → Save to Google Sheets → Send a Slack message.”

  • Camunda → Ideal for complex, multi-step workflows with human approvals, service calls, and compliance rules.

  • Flowable → Handles complex workflows too, but excels when you want tight integration with custom code and more agile BPMN implementations.

3. Technical Approach

Feature n8n Camunda Flowable
Modeling

             Node-based visual editor BPMN diagrams BPMN diagrams
Code Requirement

             Low-code, optional JS Java / REST API integration Java / REST API integration
Hosting

             Cloud & self-host Self-host Self-host
Best For             Non-developers & quick                setups Enterprise BPM & compliance Developers & embedded workflows

4. Use Cases

n8n:

  • Connect CRM → Slack → Email notifications.

  • Social media posting automation.

  • Data sync between cloud apps.

Camunda:

  • Loan or insurance claim approval.

  • Multi-department order processing.

  • Compliance-driven HR onboarding.

Flowable:

  • Embedding BPMN inside a SaaS product.

  • Dynamic case management for healthcare.

  • Tailored process automation in microservices.

5. Choosing the Right Tool

  • Choose n8n → Quick, integration-first automation without heavy coding.

  • Choose Camunda → Enterprise-grade, compliance-heavy process orchestration.

  • Choose Flowable → Developer-friendly BPMN engine for custom applications.

✅ Bottom line:

  • n8n = Fast integration

  • Camunda = Enterprise orchestration

  • Flowable = Developer-friendly BPM

And yes — they can even work together: n8n for external API integrations, Camunda or Flowable for the business core.


Amira K.

Posted by Amira K.

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