n8n: visual automation you can host yourself

What you can actually automate with n8n

n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”, short for “nodemation”) is developed by n8n GmbH, and its GitHub repository dates back to 2019. A workflow starts from a trigger (an incoming email, a form submission, a schedule, a web call) and then runs a chain of blocks, called nodes, that read, transform and send data between apps. That is classic automation, with AI building blocks on top.

Typical examples: routing inbound requests and creating a CRM record, summarizing messages every morning, enriching a list of leads, or feeding a knowledge base for a chatbot. The AI Agent node turns a step into an AI agent that decides which tools to call; a main agent can even hand work to specialized sub-agents. n8n can also connect to MCP servers or expose its own workflows as an MCP server. When the built-in nodes are not enough, a Code node runs JavaScript or Python.

License and self-hosting: read this first

n8n calls itself “fair-code”: the source is visible and modifiable, but the Sustainable Use License restricts use to internal business, personal or non-commercial purposes. You can run as many free Community instances as you like, including to automate work for clients. White-labeling n8n, or letting outside users build their own workflows through your product, requires a commercial agreement. Some enterprise features (files marked “.ee”) fall under a separate license.

Self-hosting is the big draw for privacy-minded teams: data flows through your own server. The trade-off is that updates, backups and security are on you.

Cost and who it fits

As of October 22, 2026, the official pricing page lists, in euros and billed annually: Starter at €20 per month, Pro at €50 per month, Business at €667 per month (self-hosted only) and Enterprise on request. Pricing is based on workflow executions regardless of complexity, with unlimited users and workflows. AI model usage is billed separately by the provider; the agent cost calculator helps you estimate it.

• Freelancer: the Starter cloud plan or a small self-hosted instance is enough to begin.
• Small business: Pro, or self-hosting if someone can maintain the server.
• Technical team: n8n fits well thanks to code nodes, webhooks and its API.

Strengths, limits and alternatives

Strengths: a lot of flexibility, the option to host it yourself, and no per-step billing. Limits: a steeper learning curve than consumer tools, a license you must read carefully if you build a product on top, and agents that need testing before you let them take sensitive actions (the Can I trust an agent with this? tool helps you think it through).

If you want something simpler and fully hosted, look at Make or Zapier Agents. For AI apps built around a chatbot or search over your own documents, Dify and Langflow are more specialized.