n8n

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Workflow automation you can self-host, priced per workflow run rather than per step.

Screenshot of the n8n website — n8n’s homepage, captured by ToolsPantry

Pricing

Verified 14 Jul 2026· source

Starter

20€/mo

Billed annually; 2,300 AI credits/month

Pro

50€/mo

Billed annually; up to 13,700 AI credits/month

Business

667€/mo

Contact Sales; custom workflow executions. Startup plan gives 50% off Business for <20 employees

Enterprise

Contact sales

Custom API requests, nodes, failure actions

Where the free tier stops: No free plan on the captured page - only a free trial. Prices in EUR (geo-priced) and billed annually.

Prices as published by the vendor on the date shown. Many vendors price by region, so what you see on their site may differ. Always confirm on the source page before buying.

Companyn8n GmbH

Information is reviewed manually, but pricing and features may change. Always verify details on the official website before purchasing.

Overview

n8n is a node-based automation tool that sits between Zapier's simplicity and writing the integration yourself. Its two structural advantages over the incumbent are worth understanding. First, you can self-host the community edition for free, which means sensitive data never touches a vendor's servers and your workflow volume costs you nothing but the server. Second, its cloud plans bill per workflow execution, not per step — a workflow with thirty nodes costs the same as one with three, which changes the economics completely for anything with real logic in it. It has strong AI capability built in, including LangChain-based nodes for building agents, and a code node for when the visual editor runs out of road. Two honest caveats. It is more demanding than Zapier: expect to think about data shapes, branching and error handling. And despite appearances it is not open source in the OSI sense — it uses a fair-code Sustainable Use Licence with restrictions, and some enterprise features require a licence key even when self-hosted.

Features

Visual node-based workflow editor with branching, loops and error handling

Self-hostable community edition, free to run at any volume

Per-execution cloud pricing rather than per-step charging

AI and LangChain-based nodes for building agents and RAG pipelines

Code node for JavaScript or Python when the visual editor is not enough

Unlimited users and workflows on all cloud plans

Pros & cons

Pros

Self-hosting means sensitive data need never leave your infrastructure
Per-execution billing makes complex, many-step workflows dramatically cheaper than on per-task platforms
The code node means you rarely hit a hard wall — you can always drop into script
Genuinely capable AI/agent nodes rather than a bolted-on chat wrapper

Cons

Steeper learning curve than Zapier — it expects you to understand data structures
Not open source in the strict sense; the Sustainable Use Licence restricts commercial redistribution
Self-hosting means you own upgrades, backups, security and uptime
Some business and enterprise features are gated behind licence keys even on your own hardware

Who n8n is for

n8n is built for people working with automation tools. Its free plan makes it easy to evaluate before paying, which suits both individuals and growing teams. Users most often highlight self-hosting means sensitive data need never leave your infrastructure.

How n8n compares in AI Automation Tools

Within automation tools, the closest alternatives to n8n are Activepieces, Relay.app, Zapier AI — it is worth comparing them side by side on price and the specific features you need before deciding.

n8n pricing

n8n offers a free plan with paid upgrades. You can start for free and pay only when you need higher limits, advanced features or team seats. See the full n8n pricing breakdown →

n8n FAQ

Is n8n worth it?

n8n is most often praised for self-hosting means sensitive data need never leave your infrastructure. The main trade-off is that steeper learning curve than zapier — it expects you to understand data structures. For most automation tools needs it is a credible choice — trial it against one or two alternatives before you commit. ToolsPantry does not yet carry user reviews for this tool.

Is n8n free?

n8n offers a free plan with paid upgrades. You can start for free and pay only when you need higher limits, advanced features or team seats.

What are the downsides of n8n?

The most commonly noted drawbacks are: Steeper learning curve than Zapier — it expects you to understand data structures; Not open source in the strict sense; the Sustainable Use Licence restricts commercial redistribution; Self-hosting means you own upgrades, backups, security and uptime; Some business and enterprise features are gated behind licence keys even on your own hardware. None are dealbreakers for everyone, but weigh them against your specific workflow.

What are the best alternatives to n8n?

Strong alternatives in automation tools include Activepieces, Relay.app, Zapier AI, Zapier. See the full ranked list on the n8n alternatives page.

The verdict

n8n is a automation tools option, best known for self-hosting means sensitive data need never leave your infrastructure. The main trade-off is that steeper learning curve than zapier — it expects you to understand data structures. Start on the free plan and compare it against the alternatives below before committing.

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