n8n is worth it for developers and technical teams who want workflow automation with real code control and predictable, execution-based pricing that doesn't punish complex multi-step flows. It's best at self-hosting, AI agent workflows, and unlimited steps per run. It falls short for non-technical users: the node editor has a steeper learning curve than Zapier, and cloud tiers cap monthly executions rather than tasks.
What is n8n?
n8n is a workflow automation tool built around a visual node editor where you connect triggers, apps, and logic into flows. It is source-available and can be self-hosted, which is its main draw for teams that want to keep data in their own environment. It has added AI nodes and an agent framework, so you can build LLM-driven steps alongside traditional integrations.
Best for
Technical teams that want self-hosting, source access, and fine control over their workflows.
Not for
Non-technical business users who want a purely no-code, point-and-click experience with zero setup.
Strengths
- Self-hostable, so data can stay inside your own infrastructure
- Source-available with an active community and shared workflow templates
- Large library of nodes plus a generic HTTP node for any REST API
- Built-in AI and agent nodes for LLM-driven steps
- Can run custom JavaScript or Python inside a workflow
- Predictable execution-based pricing on the cloud plan
Limitations
- The node editor has a real learning curve for non-technical users
- Self-hosting means you own updates, scaling, and maintenance
- Debugging complex multi-branch flows can get tedious
n8n pricing
Priced per full workflow execution (one run = one execution regardless of how many steps it contains), not per task or step; all plans include unlimited users and workflows.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Community (self-host) | $0 | Open-source, unlimited executions on your own infrastructure |
| Starter | ~€20/mo | 2,500 executions/mo, cloud-hosted, 5 concurrent executions |
| Pro | ~€50/mo | 10,000 executions/mo, 20 concurrent executions, admin roles |
| Business | ~€667/mo | 40,000 executions/mo, self-hosting, SSO, scaling options |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom executions, 200+ concurrent, cloud or self-hosted, dedicated support |
Pricing reflects public plans as of May 20, 2026 and can change. Check n8n for the latest.
n8n FAQ
How much does n8n cost?
n8n cloud starts around €20/mo for Starter (2,500 executions), €50/mo for Pro (10,000 executions), and ~€667/mo for Business with self-hosting. Enterprise is custom. The open-source Community Edition is free to self-host.
Is n8n free?
Yes, n8n's open-source Community Edition is free to self-host with unlimited executions on your own infrastructure. The managed cloud service is paid, starting near €20/mo, and includes hosting, updates, and support.
n8n vs Zapier: which is better?
n8n suits developers wanting self-hosting, code steps, and execution-based pricing that stays cheap at scale. Zapier is easier for non-technical users with more polished no-code UX and thousands of apps, but bills per task, which gets expensive as volume grows.
Can n8n build AI agents?
Yes. n8n has native AI agent nodes, LangChain integration, and support for LLMs, vector stores, and tools, letting you build multi-step autonomous agents and RAG workflows visually or with custom code, self-hosted or in the cloud.
Does n8n charge per step?
No. n8n charges per workflow execution, so a run with 50 nodes counts the same as a run with 2 nodes. This makes complex, multi-step automations far cheaper than task-based tools like Zapier.
Looking at alternatives? n8n is a strong choice if you have the technical appetite to self-host and wire up nodes yourself. Autonoly trades that control for speed: you describe the task in plain English instead of building the graph node by node, so it fits operators who want the outcome without owning infrastructure. See the Autonoly review.