n8n
n8n: AI agents and visual workflow automation, Cloud or self-hosted
n8n combines a visual workflow canvas with custom code and AI-agent nodes. Connect apps, models and tools in n8n Cloud or run the platform on your own infrastructure. Its workflow-execution billing and self-hosted Community edition make it relevant to technical teams building multi-step automation.
Free plan availableAccount optional
- Access
- Free and paid plans
- Example plan
- EUR 24 / monthCloud Starter — monthly
- Available on
- Web, API
Build connected automations with a visual canvas and code
n8n gives technical teams a canvas for connecting apps, data and AI models. Nodes can pass results into further actions, split a process into branches or add custom code. AI agents can use model, memory and tool connections within that same flow. The combination suits automations that need more control over their logic and deployment than a simple two-app connection.
Human review can be configured on selected agent tools. A workflow pauses before the tool runs and sends an approval request through chat or supported services such as Slack and Teams. Rejecting the request prevents that action. This is an explicit part of the workflow design, rather than an assurance that every action requires approval automatically.
Cloud hosting removes the need to maintain the n8n server. Self-hosting gives teams responsibility for deployment, updates and infrastructure, with Community software available under the Sustainable Use License and advanced commercial features separately licensed. A self-hosted server can still send data to connected apps and AI providers. It does not make an external model call local.
AI costs have separate layers. The Assistant helps build workflows and uses its own credits. Gateway credits pay for supported runtime models and tool services without provider accounts or API keys, and are available on Cloud Starter and Pro. They are unavailable on Enterprise Cloud and self-hosted installations. Other services use your own credentials and their provider charges.
Best for
- Technical teams building multi-step automation
- AI agents connected to models and business tools
- Teams requiring a self-hosted workflow platform
Limitations
Self-hosting requires infrastructure and maintenance, and Community use has licence restrictions. Business is currently self-hosted only. Workflow executions, builder Assistant credits and runtime AI costs are separate allowances; self-hosting does not remove third-party service fees or data processing.
n8n workflow and AI-agent features
Visual multi-step workflows
Connect app nodes and branch a process on a canvas that keeps AI and ordinary automation together.
Custom code and extensible nodes
Combine visual building with code when a workflow needs transformations or functionality beyond a standard connector.
Models, memory and agent tools
Add model and tool connections to agents within the workflow rather than managing a separate chat-only product.
Configured human review
Pause selected agent tools for approval through chat or supported messaging channels before they execute.
Cloud and self-hosted deployment
Use managed hosting or maintain your own installation, with Community and commercial feature/licence differences.
Separate AI service credits
Cloud Starter/Pro can use prepaid Gateway credits for supported runtime services; Assistant credits cover workflow-building help.
n8n pricing
Free plan available. Subscription plans. Visit n8n for full plan details and current offers.
Example plans.
Cloud Starter — monthly
EUR 24 / month
Subscription
Plan details
2,500 workflow executions/month. Hosting included; Assistant/Gateway and external provider usage have separate terms.
Cloud Starter — annual commitment
EUR 20 / month
Subscription
Plan details
Monthly equivalent, billed annually; 2,500 executions/month. Runtime services are not unlimited.
Cloud Pro — monthly
EUR 60 / month
Subscription
Plan details
Default 10,000 executions/month. Higher quotas cost more; Assistant allowance depends on plan size.
Technical specifications
Automation and agents
| Feature | n8n |
|---|---|
| Connectors and tool access | Visual app nodes, model connections and custom code; extensible nodes and AI-agent tools. Community and commercial editions have different advanced features.Cloud and self-hosted deployment; integration features vary |
| Triggers and scheduling | Multi-step workflows and AI-agent chat flows connect events, models and app actions on the same visual canvas.Workflow and agent nodes |
| Human approval controls | Configure human review for selected AI tools through chat or supported messaging channels. Approval pauses before the action; rejection cancels that tool execution.Requires configured tool review, not a universal default gate |
| Hosting and deployment | n8n Cloud or self-hosted Community/commercial editions. Business is currently self-hosted only; Enterprise supports Cloud or self-hosted. Connected providers may process data externally.Hosting choice does not make every connected service local |
| Execution accounting | Paid plans count whole-workflow executions rather than each node. Builder Assistant credits, runtime Gateway credits and own-provider API usage are separate. Community hosting has infrastructure costs.Current subscriptions and separately billed runtime services |
| Included executions (executions per stated period) | 2500Per month; paid Starter allowance, not trial or all plans |
n8n alternatives
Other platforms emphasize hosted app connections or dedicated AI application building.
Zapier
Hosted app automation with Forms, Tables and AI steps charged through task allowances.
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Compare with n8nn8n FAQs
Is n8n free?
Self-hosted Community software is free under the Sustainable Use License; you provide hosting and pay any external service fees. n8n Cloud has a trial and paid plans rather than a permanent free Cloud subscription.
How much does n8n Cloud cost?
Starter is EUR 24/month with 2,500 executions, or EUR 20/month equivalent billed annually. Default Pro is EUR 60/month with 10,000 executions, or EUR 50/month equivalent annually; larger quotas cost more.
Does every n8n node count as an execution?
Paid plans use whole-workflow executions rather than charging an execution for each node. Runtime AI and tool-service charges are separate from that workflow allowance.
Are n8n Assistant credits the same as Gateway credits?
No. Assistant credits pay for help building workflows. Gateway credits pay for supported runtime models and tool services on Cloud Starter/Pro. Topping up Gateway credits does not add Assistant credits.
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