n8n Review: Features, Pricing & Alternatives
Fair-code workflow automation with AI agents, available in the cloud or self-hosted.
What is n8n?
n8n is a workflow automation platform founded in Berlin in 2019. It is fair-code: the Community Edition can be self-hosted for free, giving you full control over data, while n8n Cloud offers hosted plans.
n8n combines a visual node-based editor with the ability to write JavaScript or Python, call any API and build advanced AI agents with memory, tools and retrieval. It has become one of the most popular platforms for building AI agents and internal automations.
Pricing is based on workflow executions, not the number of steps, which makes complex workflows affordable.
Key features of n8n
- Visual workflow editorBuild automations with nodes, branches and loops.
- AI agentsCreate agents with LLMs, memory, tools and vector stores.
- Code when neededAdd JavaScript or Python inside workflows.
- Self-hostingRun on your own servers for data control.
- 400+ integrationsPlus HTTP requests to any API.
- Execution-based pricingPay per workflow run, not per step.
Who is n8n best for?
- Developers and technical ops building custom automations.
- Companies that must keep data in-house.
- AI builders creating agentic workflows.
Popular ways to use n8n
- AI agents: support bots with tools and memory.
- Internal automation: data pipelines between systems.
- RAG workflows: answer questions from company documents.
- DevOps: alerts and incident workflows.
- Data enrichment: process records with AI.
n8n pricing (October 2026)
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Community (self-hosted) | Free | Unlimited executions on your own infrastructure |
| Starter (cloud) | €20/month billed annually | 2,500 executions per month |
| Pro (cloud) | €50/month billed annually | 10,000 executions per month |
| Business (self-hosted) | €667/month billed annually | 40,000 executions with SSO and enterprise features |
| Enterprise | Custom | Cloud or self-hosted with advanced controls |
Paid plans include unlimited users and workflows.
n8n pros and cons
Pros
- Free self-hosted option
- Very powerful for AI agents
- Code flexibility
- Fair pricing for complex workflows
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Self-hosting requires maintenance
- Fewer polished templates than Zapier
How to get started with n8n
- Try n8n Cloud or self-host with Docker.
- Import a template, for example an AI agent workflow.
- Connect credentials and test each node.
- Activate and monitor executions.
Tips to get better results from n8n
- Start with official templates.
- Use credentials securely and limit permissions.
- Monitor executions and set up error workflows.
n8n vs alternatives
Make is easier for visual users. Zapier is simplest for non-technical teams. Lindy offers ready-made AI assistants.
See all best AI automation tools.
Our verdict: is n8n worth it?
n8n is the best automation platform for technical teams and AI agent builders, with the unique advantage of free self-hosting.
n8n FAQs
Is n8n free?
Is n8n open source?
Can n8n build AI agents?
Can I self-host n8n?
Pricing and features change often. Details on this page were last reviewed in October 2026. Always confirm current plans on the official n8n website.
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