What is n8n?
n8n is a workflow automation platform that lets technical teams build automations and AI agents on a visual canvas, with the option to write JavaScript or Python steps wherever needed. Each step of a workflow, including the reasoning of AI agents, can be traced on the canvas, and the platform offers pre-built nodes for common apps plus custom API connections for everything else. Models can be swapped without rebuilding workflows, and agents can connect to MCP servers.
In practice, teams use n8n for tasks such as onboarding new employees, enriching security incident tickets, converting natural language into API calls, generating customer insights from reviews, and building RAG systems. Inputs and outputs of every step are visible next to its settings, and workflows can be re-run step by step or tested with mocked data. The product can be self-hosted, including on-prem or air-gapped deployments, or used as a managed cloud service.
Key features
- Visual workflow canvas with JavaScript or Python code steps
- AI agent and MCP server/client nodes with human approval for tool calls
- 500+ integrations plus custom API connections
- Step-by-step testing and re-running with replayed or mocked data
- Self-hosted or managed cloud deployment, including air-gapped
- Audit logs, RBAC, SSO SAML and LDAP, version control on higher plans
Who is it for
- IT operations and DevOps teams
- Security operations teams
- Sales and CRM teams
- Developers building internal automations
How to get started with n8n
- Sign up for the Starter plan and use the free trial
- Create your first workflow in the visual canvas editor
- Add an integration with the app you want to use
- Run the workflow as a test on real data and check execution logs
- Your IT, DevOps or security team wants to build automations and AI agents
- You need to connect over 500 integrations and custom APIs in one process
- You want human control over AI actions and transparency into agent steps
- You need a permanently free plan, but only a trial period is available
- You need a Polish-language interface, which n8n does not offer
Pros and cons
- Combines no-code visual building with full code when needed
- Self-hosting and air-gapped deployment for data control
- Traceable AI agent reasoning on the canvas
- Features and limits vary significantly by plan
- Advanced governance and enterprise features require higher plans or sales contact
n8n pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 20 EUR / month | Billed annually; 2.5K workflow executions, 1,600 Assistant credits/month, 5 concurrent executions, forum support |
| Pro | 50 EUR / month | Billed annually; 10K workflow executions, up to 9,600 Assistant credits/month, up to 50 concurrent executions, 3 shared projects |
| Business | 667 EUR / month | Billed annually; 40K workflow executions, self-hosted only, SSO and LDAP, queue mode, Git version control, for companies under 100 employees |
Prices copied from n8n pricing, checked October 12, 2026. Currency as shown by the vendor; taxes may apply.
Is n8n free?
There is a free trial. Starter plan offers a free trial with no credit card required; a standard self-hosted Community Edition is also available on GitHub.
Featured in
n8n alternatives
| Tool | Price from | Free plan | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
 Zapier | od 19,99 USD/mo | yes | Automation |
 Browser Use | 0.02 USD | trial | Automation |
 Browserbase | 20 USD/mo | yes | Automation |
 Clay | od 167 USD/mo | trial | Automation |
 Activepieces | 20 USD/mo | yes | Automation |
 Hexabot | 19 USD/mo | yes | Automation |
Comparisons
FAQ
What is n8n used for?
Workflow automation platform combining visual building with code, adding AI agents and integrations for technical teams.
Is n8n free?
There is a free trial. Starter plan offers a free trial with no credit card required; a standard self-hosted Community Edition is also available on GitHub.
How much does n8n cost?
The cheapest paid plan is 20 EUR/mo (vendor pricing, October 12, 2026).
What are the best n8n alternatives?
Closest alternatives: Zapier, Browser Use, Browserbase, Clay, Activepieces.
Data checked October 12, 2026 on the vendor website (n8n.io).