n8n vs osFoundry is one of the more interesting comparisons for India, because both can run on your own infrastructure — so the usual data-residency objection to SaaS doesn’t apply to either. The real question is which layer of the problem each solves. (dgm implements osFoundry, a separate company’s platform — dgm is an independent integration partner, not osFoundry, and does not resell n8n.)
At a glance
| n8n | osFoundry | |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Workflow automation (trigger→action) + AI nodes | AI-first orchestration (routing, agents, apps) |
| Self-host | Yes (Community Edition free) | Yes (BYO Cloud) |
| India residency | Self-host on Indian infra → strong | Self-host in India cloud account → strong |
| Pricing | Free self-host; Cloud from €20/mo (per execution) | Usage-based, no per-seat fee |
| Licence | Sustainable Use (source-available, not OSI) | Source-available platform |
(n8n facts per n8n.io/pricing and n8n’s Sustainable Use License; osFoundry per osfoundry.io. Confirm current details with each vendor.)
The India angle: both self-host
For DPDP-sensitive organisations, the headline is that neither forces you onto someone else’s cloud. n8n’s Community Edition is free to self-host on Indian servers; osFoundry can be self-hosted in your own India cloud account. Both keep data in-country — a real advantage over SaaS-only automation and AI tools. See AI data residency in India.
Different layers
- n8n is a general workflow-automation tool — connect 400+ apps, build trigger-action flows, with AI/ LangChain nodes bolted on. It’s developer-friendly and bills per workflow execution (cheaper than per-task tools at scale).
- osFoundry is AI-first — multi-model routing, agents, knowledge bases, internal data-backed apps and chat, with bring-your-own-key. The AI reasoning and orchestration is the product, not an add-on.
Many teams use both: n8n for the integration plumbing, osFoundry for the AI layer. They’re frequently complementary rather than either/or.
The licensing caveat
n8n’s licence is the Sustainable Use License — source-available, not OSI open-source. It’s free for internal business use and consulting, but you need a paid commercial/Embed licence to host n8n for third parties or embed it into a product you sell. If your use is internal automation, you’re fine; if you’re building a multi-tenant SaaS on it, factor the licence in. Confirm current terms before commercial use.
How dgm helps
dgm implements osFoundry for Indian businesses as the AI orchestration layer — with India residency via self-hosting — and can integrate it with workflow tools like n8n where that’s the right design. Transparent pricing: $399 assessment, $3,999/month implementation, no per-seat fees (INR approximate; 18% GST for domestic clients). Explore the platform at osFoundry, or talk to dgm about a self-hosted, India-resident AI build.
General information, not legal advice. Vendor pricing and licence terms change — verify at the time you evaluate.