n8n review
Self-hostable workflow automation with native AI agent nodes.
What we like
- Self-host for free with no execution limits beyond your own hardware
- Native AI agent and vector store nodes make RAG workflows straightforward
- Code nodes let you drop into JavaScript or Python when the UI runs out
- Execution-based cloud pricing is far cheaper than per-task competitors
What we do not
- Self-hosting means you own updates, backups and uptime
- Fair-code licence restricts offering it as a competing hosted service
- Interface is more technical than consumer automation tools
What it is
n8n is a workflow automation platform with a visual canvas, several hundred integrations, and — critically — the option to run it entirely on your own infrastructure. Over the past two years it has become one of the most practical places to build AI agents without writing an application.
Where it shines
Self-hosting economics. Running the Community edition on a small server costs a few dollars a month and imposes no execution limits. Teams migrating from per-task platforms routinely cut automation spend by an order of magnitude, and for high-frequency workflows the difference is decisive.
AI capability is the second reason for its rise. Native agent nodes, memory, vector store connectors and tool calling mean a retrieval-augmented assistant that queries your database, searches your documents and posts to Slack can be built visually in an afternoon. Code nodes let you drop into JavaScript or Python for anything the interface cannot express, which removes the usual no-code ceiling.
Data residency matters too: for organisations that cannot send customer data through a third-party automation cloud, self-hosting is the only compliant option.
Where it falls short
Self-hosting is real operational work. Updates, backups, monitoring, scaling and security are yours, and a team without that capacity should buy the cloud version rather than pretend otherwise.
The interface assumes technical comfort — JSON, expressions, HTTP semantics — so non-technical staff struggle where they would manage in Zapier. Integration coverage is also narrower, meaning more raw HTTP nodes.
The fair-code licence is worth reading if you intend to embed it commercially; it is not standard open source.
Pricing in plain English
Free self-hosted with unlimited executions. Around €20 a month for Starter Cloud with 2,500 executions, €50 for Pro with 10,000. Enterprise adds SSO and air-gapped deployment.
Who should use it
Technical teams that want automation and AI agents at low cost, and any organisation needing data to stay on its own infrastructure.
n8n pricing
Checked Aug 2, 2026. Vendors change pricing often — verify on their site before purchasing.
Community
Most chosen$0 / forever
- Self-hosted, unlimited workflows
- All core nodes
- Community support
Starter Cloud
€20 / month
- 2,500 executions
- Hosted and managed
- 5 active workflows
Pro Cloud
€50 / month
- 10,000 executions
- Unlimited workflows
- Admin roles
Enterprise
Custom / year
- SSO, log streaming
- Air-gapped deployment
- Support SLA
- Best for
- Self-hosted automation with data residencyAI agents with tool accessInternal integrations and ETLRAG pipelines without codeReplacing expensive SaaS automation
- Platforms
- Self-hostedCloudDocker
n8n FAQs
Is n8n really free?
Self-hosting the Community edition is free with no execution limits — you pay only for the server. Managed cloud starts around €20 per month.
Can n8n build AI agents?
Yes. It ships agent nodes, memory, vector store integrations and tool calling, so you can build a retrieval-augmented agent with tools visually and drop into code where needed.
n8n or Zapier?
Zapier has more integrations and is friendlier for non-technical users. n8n is far cheaper at volume, can be self-hosted for data residency, and is much stronger for AI workflows.
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