n8n is the most economical serious automation platform, and the one that gives you the most control over where your data goes.
Where it wins. The pricing model is the headline: executions are counted per workflow run, not per step, so a twenty-node workflow costs the same as a two-node one. Self-hosting removes usage billing entirely and keeps sensitive data inside your infrastructure, which is decisive for regulated work. The builder handles real logic — branching, loops, error paths, and arbitrary JavaScript in any node — so it does not hit the ceiling that simpler connectors do. Native AI agent nodes make it a credible platform for LLM workflows rather than a bolt-on.
Where it falls short. It is a developer's tool wearing a visual interface. Expect to read documentation, handle API responses, and occasionally write JavaScript — someone comfortable in Zapier will find the first week harder. Self-hosting means you own upgrades, backups, and uptime. The integration library, while large, is smaller than the biggest incumbents, so an obscure SaaS may need a manual HTTP call.
Our call. The best choice for technical teams and anyone automating at volume. Non-technical users automating three apps should buy something simpler.
Best for
Technical teams automating at volume, and anyone who needs workflows and data to stay on their own infrastructure.
Key takeaways
- 1Billed per workflow execution, not per step
- 2Self-hosting removes usage billing and keeps data in-house
- 3Real logic — branching, loops, error paths, custom JavaScript
- 4Native AI agent nodes for LLM workflows
- 5Steeper learning curve than consumer automation tools
- 6Self-hosting means you own upgrades and uptime
n8n is the automation tool for people who resent per-task billing. Self-host it and the marginal cost of an execution is your own server; use the cloud and you are billed per workflow run rather than per step, which at volume is a fundamentally different bill from the task-metered incumbents.
What we like
- Outstanding cost model at volume
- Self-hostable with full data control
- Genuinely capable workflow logic
- Strong AI agent support
- Active open community
Worth noting
- Requires technical comfort
- Self-hosting is real operational work
- Smaller integration catalogue than incumbents
- Documentation assumes API familiarity
Plans
Pricing
Community
- Unlimited workflows and executions
- Self-hosted on your infrastructure
- 400+ integrations
- Full data control
- Community support
Starter
per month, cloud
- 2,500 workflow executions per month
- 5 active workflows
- Billed per execution, not per step
- Hosted and managed
- Forum support
Pricing verified Aug 13, 2026. Prices shown are billed annually where available and may change — always confirm on the vendor site.
From real users
Reviews
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We publish a user score only once real, verified reviews exist — so this tool is rated on our hands-on testing alone for now. Used it? Your review would be the first.
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Frequently asked questions
Is n8n really free?＋
The self-hosted community edition is free and unlimited — you provide the server. The managed cloud version is paid, priced per workflow execution rather than per step.
How is n8n cheaper than Zapier at scale?＋
Zapier counts every step as a task. n8n counts one execution per workflow run regardless of how many nodes it contains, so a twenty-step workflow costs the same as a two-step one.
Do I need to be technical?＋
More than for consumer automation tools. You will read API documentation, handle JSON responses, and occasionally write a little JavaScript. Someone comfortable in Zapier should expect a real learning curve.
Is n8n open source?＋
It uses a fair-code licence — the source is available and self-hosting for internal use is permitted, but it is not OSI open source and there are restrictions on reselling it as a service.
n8n
From $20/mo