# Camunda alternative: node-flow vs Camunda

> node-flow vs Camunda — import BPMN 2.0 into a lightweight, developer-first JSON workflow engine that runs on Postgres and is free to run commercially.

Source: https://node-flow.dev/docs/alternatives/camunda

**node-flow is a lightweight Camunda alternative for developer-owned
processes.** Camunda executes BPMN — the process diagram *is* the program — and
is built for organisations where business analysts model processes. node-flow
executes a JSON DAG, keeps the diagram-first spirit with a visual editor, and
can **import BPMN 2.0** to give you a draft definition to start from.

## Why people look for a Camunda alternative

* **Licensing.** Camunda 8's self-managed production use requires a commercial
  licence under Camunda's current terms. node-flow is free to run in
  production, including commercially.
* **Footprint.** A Camunda 8 installation is a set of components (the Zeebe
  engine, Operate, Tasklist, identity, a search store). node-flow is one image
  on PostgreSQL 18.
* **JSON in version control.** A node-flow definition diffs cleanly in a pull
  request and needs no modeller to edit.

## node-flow vs Camunda at a glance

|                  | node-flow                            | Camunda 8                                          |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Process language | JSON DAG; BPMN 2.0 import to a draft | BPMN 2.0 and DMN                                   |
| Workers          | Any language, HTTP long-poll         | Job workers via Camunda clients                    |
| Human tasks      | `HUMAN` task and inbox               | Tasklist and forms                                 |
| Business rules   | `BUSINESS_RULE` system task          | DMN                                                |
| Infrastructure   | PostgreSQL 18                        | Several platform components and a search store     |
| Price            | Free to run                          | Commercial for self-managed production; SaaS plans |

## When Camunda is the better choice

Choose Camunda when business analysts own process models in BPMN and DMN,
when you need BPMN's full event and compensation semantics exactly, or when
your organisation standardises on it.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can node-flow import BPMN?

Yes. POST a BPMN 2.0 XML document to the import-bpmn endpoint and node-flow converts it into a draft workflow definition for you to review and register. It is a starting point, not a BPMN runtime.

## Next

* [API](/docs/guide/api)
* [Workflows](/docs/guide/workflows)