n8n
#8 in Automation
« Automate repetitive tasks by connecting over 400 applications ( no code required). Save time with intelligent and visual workflows that are easy to use. »
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n8n: build AI agent workflows on a canvas you can self-host for free
Updated on August 5, 2026
n8n is a fair-code workflow automation platform: you wire apps, databases and AI models together on a node canvas, dropping into code whenever it helps. The Berlin company reached a $5.2 billion valuation after SAP bought a stake and agreed to embed the tool in its Joule Studio agent builder. Self-hosting the Community Edition costs nothing; the managed cloud comes with a 14-day trial, then a subscription. Developers, agencies and ops teams run everything from invoice sorting to lead follow-up on it.
Pros
- Free unlimited self-hosting with the Community Edition
- Billing counts workflow runs, not single steps
- Over 400 connectors plus custom HTTP and code nodes
- AI agent nodes for OpenAI, Anthropic or Google models
- Thousands of ready-made templates to copy
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than point-and-click rivals
- Self-hosting means managing your own server and backups
- No permanent free tier on the managed cloud
A node canvas where code stays optional
Everything happens on a canvas: each node is an app, a condition or a data transformation, and over 400 connectors cover the usual suspects, from Slack to Google Sheets. The source code is public under a fair-code license, a close cousin of open source with resale restrictions attached.
You drag in a trigger, a filter, an action, and the chain runs on its own. Missing a connector? An HTTP node and a few lines of JavaScript or Python settle it. Some typical builds, picked from the thousands of community templates:
- Sorting incoming email and opening support tickets
- Keeping CRM, spreadsheet and Slack in sync
- Automated monitoring: collect, summarize with AI, send by email
Your first n8n workflow, from setup to AI agents
AI agents and the SAP deal behind n8n's rise
Over 80% of workflows built on n8n now involve AI agents, according to estimates from research firm Sacra, which also counts 1,400 enterprise customers and 1.7 million monthly active builders. Dedicated nodes plug in models from OpenAI, Anthropic or Google, memory and tool calls included.
The story goes past the tech. SAP took a stake in the company and signed a multi-year deal to embed n8n inside its Joule Studio agent builder, doubling the firm's valuation in under a year. Against the wave of autonomous AI agents, n8n holds a clear line: the agent decides, but inside a frame you draw node by node, with a human in the loop when you demand one.
n8n Cloud or your own server, two ways in
Two roads lead to the same editor: the managed cloud run by n8n, or an install on your own machines (even a personal computer, the official docs are fine with it). Then comes the wallet question, which this comparison settles:
These figures shift as the product gets updated; check the official pricing page before pulling out a card.
| Criterion | n8n Cloud | Self-hosted (Community) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | €20 per month billed annually, 2,500 executions | Free, server costs aside |
| Setup | None, fully managed | Docker or a VPS to run yourself |
| Data | Hosted by n8n in Europe | On your machines, full control |
| Team features (SSO, Git) | Pro at €50 or Business at €800 | Business or Enterprise license required |
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n free?
Yes, as long as you host it yourself: the Community Edition installs at no cost, with no limits on executions or workflows. The managed cloud runs a 14-day trial, then requires a subscription. When self-hosting, the server bill is the only thing left on your side.
Can n8n replace Zapier?
For multi-step automations, yes, often at a lower cost: n8n counts one execution per full workflow run, while Zapier bills every single action. Zapier keeps the edge on simplicity and sheer connector volume; n8n wins on deep logic, custom code and the self-hosting option.
Is n8n really open source?
Not strictly: the code is public, but the Sustainable Use license, known as fair-code, forbids reselling n8n as a hosted service. Internal business use, commercial included, stays free, and building automations for clients as an agency or freelancer is allowed.
Where does n8n Cloud store data?
In a Microsoft Azure data center in Frankfurt, Germany, which makes GDPR compliance easier. For total control, self-hosting keeps everything on your own machines, a frequent argument among teams working under strict confidentiality rules.
Verdict: While per-task platforms punish long automations, n8n lets them grow without inflating the bill: developers, agencies and ops teams comfortable with a bit of logic will settle in for the long haul, AI agents included.
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