n8n

n8n is a visual workflow-automation platform for technical teams that want low-code speed without giving up code, infrastructure control or AI-agent capabilities. It combines a node-based editor, hundreds of integrations, JavaScript and Python steps, APIs, webhooks, queues and self-hosting. Unlike many competitors, n8n prices cloud and commercial plans by complete workflow executions rather than individual steps.

What is n8n?

An n8n workflow connects a trigger to actions, logic, data transformations and external services. Users can build ordinary business automations, developer pipelines and AI agents in the same editor. Workflows can run on n8n Cloud or on infrastructure operated by the customer.

n8n is strongest when a process needs more control than a simple no-code recipe. Technical users can make custom HTTP or GraphQL requests, import cURL commands, add code, create custom nodes and use APIs or the CLI. Nontechnical colleagues can still collaborate through the visual canvas, but the platform assumes more systems knowledge than tools designed primarily for casual business users.

Current n8n pricing

The live pricing page currently displays annual billing with a 17% saving:

• Starter: €20 per month billed annually for 2,500 workflow executions, one shared project, five concurrent executions, unlimited users and 2,300 AI credits per month.
• Pro: €50 per month billed annually for the displayed 10,000-execution option, three shared projects, 20 concurrent executions, seven days of insights, up to 13,700 AI credits, admin roles, global variables and workflow history.
• Business: €667 per month billed annually for 40,000 executions. This is self-hosted and includes six shared projects, SSO with SAML or LDAP, 30 days of insights, environments, scaling, Git version control and an AI Assistant preview.
• Enterprise: custom execution volume and pricing, available on n8n-hosted or self-hosted deployments. It adds unlimited shared projects, 200+ concurrent executions, 365 days of insights, external secrets, log streaming, longer retention and SLA-backed support.

A free Community Edition is available for self-hosting. Startups under 20 employees may qualify for 50% off Business. Confirm taxes, currency, execution volume and current checkout before purchase.

How execution-based pricing works

n8n counts a workflow run from start to finish as one execution, regardless of how many steps it contains. A workflow with 30 nodes can therefore use one execution instead of 30 billable tasks. This can be economical for complex workflows.

Do not compare the execution allowance directly with task allowances elsewhere. Retries, loops, sub-workflows, polling patterns and high event volume can change the count. Run a production-like workload and measure successful, failed and retried executions before choosing a tier.

Cloud versus self-hosted

Starter and Pro are hosted by n8n. Business is self-hosted, while Enterprise supports either model. Community Edition gives users control over infrastructure and access to core automation features without a commercial platform subscription.

Self-hosting is not free in practice. Budget servers, databases, queues, backups, monitoring, upgrades, incident response and staff time. High availability, multiple workers, isolated environments, SSO and governance features may require a commercial plan even when the software runs on your own infrastructure.

Core workflow capabilities

Visual editor and integrations

The node editor makes data flow and branching visible. n8n includes integrations for common SaaS tools, databases, communication platforms and AI providers. HTTP nodes cover services without a dedicated integration.

Code and custom nodes

JavaScript and Python steps handle custom validation, transformation and business logic. Self-hosted users can run bash scripts and create custom nodes. Treat this code like production software: review it, pin dependencies, test failures and keep secrets out of source.

Triggers, webhooks and queues

Workflows can respond to webhooks, schedules, app events and queues. Validate webhook signatures and payloads, protect public endpoints and design for duplicates. Queue mode and multiple workers support scale on eligible self-hosted plans.

AI agents and model tools

n8n supports AI-agent patterns in which a model can call tools, retrieve information and interact with business systems. Cloud plans now include AI credits for n8n’s assistant features. Model-provider costs for workflow AI nodes may be separate and depend on the credentials or service used.

Agents require tighter controls than deterministic automation. Limit available tools, restrict data retrieval and require approval for messages, payments, deletion, publishing and record changes.

Environments and Git

Business and Enterprise features support development, staging and production environments, Git-based version control and workflow diffs. These controls reduce the risk of editing a live automation directly and help teams review changes.

Observability and error handling

n8n records execution data and supports error workflows, retries and debugging. Higher tiers provide longer insights, execution search, audit logs and external log streaming. Retained execution data can contain sensitive payloads, so configure saving and retention deliberately.

Security and governance

All listed tiers include an encrypted secrets store. Business adds SSO through SAML or LDAP, while Enterprise can enforce 2FA, integrate an external secrets store, stream logs and expand role and project controls.

Self-hosted security is shared between n8n’s software and the operator. Customers must patch instances, secure databases and queues, configure TLS, protect encryption keys, restrict network exposure and audit custom nodes. Community Edition does not transfer these operational duties to n8n.

Cloud and Enterprise buyers should request current security and privacy documentation covering data location, subprocessors, encryption, backups, retention, incident response and compliance scope. Regulated workloads require validation of the exact deployment and contract, not assumptions based on the availability of self-hosting.

Collaboration

All plans advertise unlimited users, but shared-project limits differ: one on Starter, three on Pro, six on Business and unlimited on Enterprise. Roles and environments become stronger on higher tiers. Unlimited users therefore does not mean identical collaboration or isolation capabilities.

Best use cases

• Complex SaaS and API orchestration.
• AI agents connected to approved tools and knowledge.
• Data synchronisation and transformation.
• Developer operations, alerts and scheduled jobs.
• Self-hosted automation with custom nodes.
• Multi-step workflows where step-based billing is expensive.

Advantages

• Execution-based pricing with unlimited workflow steps.
• Strong visual editor plus JavaScript and Python.
• Cloud, commercial self-hosted and Community options.
• Large integration ecosystem and flexible HTTP access.
• Advanced environments, Git, secrets and log controls.

Limitations

• More technical than beginner-focused automation products.
• Self-hosting requires operations and security expertise.
• Business pricing is a large jump from Pro.
• Execution counts still require workload modelling.
• Community Edition lacks some enterprise governance features.
• AI agents introduce nondeterministic behaviour and provider costs.

How to evaluate n8n

1. Build one real workflow, including error and retry paths.
2. Measure complete executions rather than node count.
3. Test duplicates, malformed payloads, API limits and outages.
4. Compare n8n Cloud with the full cost of self-hosting.
5. Review credentials, saved execution data and retention.
6. For agents, restrict tools and add human approvals.
7. Test environments, Git, roles and logs before enterprise rollout.

Best alternatives

Pipedream is developer-friendly and charges by compute time. Zapier is easier for nontechnical teams. Make offers a visual scenario builder. Gumloop focuses on AI agents, skills and team access. Microsoft Power Automate fits Microsoft ecosystems, while cloud functions provide lower-level infrastructure control.

Verdict

n8n is one of the strongest automation platforms for technical teams that need visual development, code and deployment choice. Execution-based billing can be attractive for complex workflows, and Community Edition provides meaningful self-hosting freedom. The trade-offs are operational responsibility and a steep commercial jump for collaboration and governance. Pilot a production workload, model execution volume and decide whether Cloud convenience or self-hosted control offers the better total cost.