n8n-gitops vs n8n Enterprise Git
This guide explains how the n8n-gitops CLI compares to the Git integration that ships with n8n Enterprise so you can pick the best fit for your team and runtime.
Quick Comparison
| Area | n8n-gitops | n8n Enterprise Git |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Open source CLI; works with Community Edition, cloud plans with API access (Start/Pro), and self-hosted Business/Enterprise | Built-in Enterprise feature inside the n8n UI |
| Control surface | GitOps-first CLI; designed for local dev and CI/CD | UI-driven Git integration managed from within n8n |
| Sync model | Mirror exports keep a repo identical to the instance; optional code externalization; manifest + credential documentation generated | Syncs native workflow JSON between the instance and a connected repo; workflows stay in inline JSON |
| Deployment | Deploy from any Git ref/working tree to a target instance with plan/backup/prune options and active-state control | Changes are applied from the n8n instance you are signed into; promotion across environments means connecting each instance to Git separately |
| Validation | CLI validation of manifests and include directives before deploy | Relies on n8n’s built-in validation when saving/publishing in the UI |
| Credential handling | Credentials never exported; generates a credential dependency doc for awareness | Credentials remain inside n8n; Git history contains workflow definitions only |
| PRs / Rollback | Standard Git PR/revert flow; deploy any ref (tag/branch/commit); rollback by deploying a prior ref | PRs live in your repo but n8n does not auto-deploy from them; rollback means syncing a prior commit/tag back into each connected instance |
When n8n-gitops Fits Best
- Running Community Edition or self-hosted instances without Enterprise licensing.
- Automating exports, reviews, and deployments through Git-based pipelines.
- Keeping code in first-class files via include directives for better reviews and testing.
- Promoting the same Git revision across multiple environments from CI/CD.
- Enforcing clean, reproducible deployments (mirror mode, pruning, backups, validation).
When n8n Enterprise Git Fits Best
- Teams already on n8n Enterprise who want Git history directly inside the product UI.
- Collaborators who prefer UI-driven push/pull without additional tooling.
- Single-instance scenarios where in-app versioning is sufficient and externalized code files are not required.
Plan Compatibility (as Dec/2025)
| Plan | n8n-gitops (open source) | n8n Enterprise Git Sync |
|---|---|---|
| Community | ✅ Supported | ❌ Not available |
| Cloud Starter | ✅ Supported | ❌ Not available |
| Cloud Pro | ✅ Supported | ❌ Not available |
| Self-hosted Business/Enterprise | ✅ Supported | ✅ Available |
Notes:
- n8n-gitops is free/open source and requires API access on your n8n plan.
- Enterprise Git Sync is only available on self-hosted Business/Enterprise; cloud Starter/Pro do not include it.