n8n
Open-source workflow automation with AI agent capabilities. Chain LLMs with operational tools like Slack and HubSpot. Build self-correcting workflows that reason through errors.
Updated 2025-08-01
Yes, within limits. n8n runs a free tier with paid plans above it.
Listed pricing: Freemium.
Overview
n8n is the open-source alternative to Zapier that's become the platform of choice for building AI-powered automation workflows. Its visual node-based editor and self-hosting capability give teams complete control over their data and automation logic.
What sets n8n apart is its AI agent capabilities — chain LLMs with operational tools to create self-correcting workflows that can reason through errors, make decisions, and interact with APIs intelligently.
Is n8n free?
Yes, within limits. n8n runs a free tier with paid plans above it.
What the free tier covers: Free self-hosted version with unlimited workflows.
Listed pricing: Freemium.
Pricing verified . That is the date the plans were last re-checked against the vendor's own pages, not today's date. Confirm on the official site before you pay.
What the free tier leaves out
Read straight off the plan list below. Vendors move features between tiers, so check the current split before you pay.
- Starter $20/mo Cloud-hosted, 2,500 executions/mo
- Pro $50/mo 10,000 executions/mo, advanced features
- Enterprise Custom SSO, audit logs, dedicated support
n8n pricing
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Community | Free | Self-hosted, unlimited workflows |
| Starter | $20/mo | Cloud-hosted, 2,500 executions/mo |
| Pro | $50/mo | 10,000 executions/mo, advanced features |
| Enterprise | Custom | SSO, audit logs, dedicated support |
Self-hosted, unlimited workflows
Cloud-hosted, 2,500 executions/mo
10,000 executions/mo, advanced features
SSO, audit logs, dedicated support
One plan carries no published number: Enterprise, recorded as “Custom”. Nothing is estimated in its place. The vendor's own pricing page is the only source for those figures.
Pricing verified . That is the date the plans were last re-checked against the vendor's own pages, not today's date. Confirm on the official site before you pay.
Is n8n worth it?
Worth it for Technically comfortable teams who want to self-host their automation and build AI agents that chain LLMs with operational tools.
You can test that on the free tier before paying anything. The recorded trade-offs are listed below, and any one of them can settle the question on its own.
The 8.7/10 AI Score is an editorial read of published capability, price and shipping pace. Nobody here has hands-on hours with n8n. How we verify.
Worth it if
The strengths recorded against this entry.
- Open-source with full self-hosting capability
- AI agent workflow capabilities
- Complete data privacy when self-hosted
- Visual node-based editor is intuitive
Not worth it if
Any one of these blocks your use case.
- Self-hosting requires technical knowledge
- Smaller app ecosystem than Zapier
- Documentation can be sparse for advanced features
- Cloud plans have execution limits
What sets n8n apart
- Open-source with full self-hosting for complete data control
- Free self-hosted Community tier has unlimited workflows
- AI agents can chain LLMs with tools like Slack, databases, and APIs to reason through decisions
- Smaller app ecosystem and sparser docs than Zapier
Key features
Open Source
Self-host for complete data control. Inspect and modify the source code. Active community with hundreds of integrations.
AI Agents
Build AI agents that chain LLMs with tools like Slack, databases, and APIs. Agents can reason and make decisions.
Self-host
Deploy on your own infrastructure for maximum privacy and control. No data leaves your servers.
How it compares
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | Technically comfortable teams who want to self-host their automation and build AI agents that chain LLMs with operational tools. | Freemium | 8.7/10 |
| Grok Bot vs Grok Bot → | Anyone who wants an always-on teammate that signs into real apps, finishes work end to end, and only pings you for approval. | Included on eligible Cursor ($20+/mo), SuperGrok ($30+/mo), and Cursor Teams ($40+/seat/mo) plans. Product page also lists a Get started for free path. | 9.6/10 |
| Notion AI vs Notion AI → | Notion users who want an assistant that already knows their pages, databases, and documents for summaries and answers. | From $10/mo | 9/10 |
| Zapier vs Zapier → | Teams that need to connect many SaaS apps and build automations from a plain-English description instead of manual setup. | Free tier + Professional from $19.99/mo + Team from $69/mo + Enterprise contact | 8.9/10 |
Learn to use n8n
Step-by-step, each one stamped with the date it was last checked against the docs.
Compare head-to-head
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Ready to try n8n?
Head to the official site to start with n8n — pricing and plans are listed above.
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