# n8n

> A workflow automation platform you can self-host for free (Community Edition) or buy as n8n Cloud, billed by executions.

n8n is a node-based workflow builder with code steps, branching, loops, sub-workflows and strong AI agent nodes. You can run the Community Edition on your own server for free under n8n's Sustainable Use License, or pay for n8n Cloud or self-hosted enterprise features. Cloud plans are priced by workflow executions per month (one run of a workflow counts once, however many steps it has), with unlimited users and workflows. n8n is 'fair-code', not OSI open source: the license restricts some commercial uses.

- Vendor: n8n GmbH
- Website: https://n8n.io/
- Category: automation
- Free plan: yes
- Last reviewed: 2026-10-13
- Canonical: https://onelesstool.com/tools/n8n
- JSON: https://onelesstool.com/api/v1/tools/n8n

## Plans

| Plan | USD | Unit | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Edition (self-hosted) | $0 | account/month | verified 2026-10-13 | https://docs.n8n.io/n8n-community-license |
| Starter (Cloud) | not listed | account/month | verified 2026-10-13 | https://n8n.io/pricing/ |
| Pro (Cloud) | not listed | account/month | verified 2026-10-13 | https://n8n.io/pricing/ |
| Business | not listed | account/month | verified 2026-10-13 | https://n8n.io/pricing/ |
| Enterprise | not listed | account/month | verified 2026-10-13 | https://n8n.io/pricing/ |

## Capabilities

| Capability | Fit | Plans | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run multi-step, high-volume automations (`advanced-automation`) | native | all | Self-hosting means you own uptime, backups, security patches and scaling; Steeper learning curve for non-technical users |
| Automate simple app-to-app workflows (`workflow-automation`) | strong | all | Fewer prebuilt connectors than Zapier or Make; gaps are filled with HTTP requests; Cloud execution caps per plan |
| Run AI agents that complete multi-step tasks (`ai-agents-automation`) | native | all | Agent reliability depends on prompt design and the chosen model; Model costs are billed separately by the provider |
| Collect information with forms and surveys (`forms-surveys`) | workaround | all | Not a polished form builder |

## Why people pay for it

- Billing per execution rather than per step makes long workflows cheap.
- Self-hosting keeps data on your own infrastructure.
- Code nodes (JavaScript/Python) and HTTP requests for anything without a connector.
- First-class AI agent and LLM nodes.
- Paid tiers add SSO, Git version control, environments and support.

## Reasons to keep paying

- Free, self-hosted automation with no per-step fees, which no hosted competitor matches at volume.
- Data control: workflows and their data can stay entirely inside your own network.
- Flexibility for technical teams: code anywhere in a visual workflow.

## Risks

- **ip_licensing** (medium): The Sustainable Use License is not OSI open source. Embedding n8n in a product where customers build workflows, or reselling it as a hosted service, needs a commercial licence.
- **security** (medium): Self-hosted instances hold credentials for many apps; you are responsible for patching, access control and exposure to the internet.
- **reliability** (medium): Self-hosted uptime and scaling are your responsibility.

Data portability: easy — Workflows export as JSON and can be moved between n8n instances (Cloud or self-hosted). Moving to another automation platform still means rebuilding workflows.

## Sources

- n8n pricing: https://n8n.io/pricing/ (accessed 2026-10-13)
- n8n docs: Community license (Sustainable Use License): https://docs.n8n.io/n8n-community-license (accessed 2026-10-13)