n8n
New🗒️ What is n8n?
Low-code workflow automation platform that connects 500+ apps and APIs, with a free, fully-featured self-hosted option and AI-agent building blocks built in.
n8n lets you visually build automation workflows that connect apps, APIs, and databases, with native building blocks for AI agents (LLM chains, vector stores, tool calling) alongside traditional automation nodes. Unlike most competitors, its Community Edition is 100% free to self-host with unlimited executions and every integration unlocked — only enterprise features like SSO and dedicated support are gated to paid Cloud tiers.
n8n is particularly strong at free, unlimited self-hosted Community Edition with all 500+ integrations included, built-in AI agent nodes (LLM chains, vector stores, tool calling) alongside standard automation, and visual workflow builder with an escape hatch to custom JavaScript/Python code in any node, making it a popular choice for automating multi-step workflows across CRMs, email, Slack, and databases and building custom AI agents that call tools and query vector stores. One thing to keep in mind: no permanent free tier on the hosted Cloud version — only a 14-day trial.
✨ What are n8n's key features?
500+ integrations
Pre-built nodes for CRMs, email, Slack, databases, and most common business apps.
AI agent nodes
Native building blocks for LLM chains, vector stores, memory, and tool-calling agents, not just linear automations.
Free self-hosted Community Edition
Unlimited workflow executions and every integration unlocked when self-hosted, with no artificial feature caps.
Visual workflow builder with a code escape hatch
Drag-and-drop nodes, but any node can drop into custom JavaScript or Python when the built-in nodes aren't enough.
Fair-code license
Source stays visible and self-hostable even though n8n is a commercial company, unlike fully closed SaaS automation tools.
Git-based version control
Workflows can be versioned and deployed like code across environments on the Business tier.
👍 What are n8n's pros and cons?
Pros
- Free, unlimited self-hosted Community Edition with all 500+ integrations included
- Built-in AI agent nodes (LLM chains, vector stores, tool calling) alongside standard automation
- Visual workflow builder with an escape hatch to custom JavaScript/Python code in any node
- Fair-code license keeps the source open even though it is a commercial company
Cons
- No permanent free tier on the hosted Cloud version — only a 14-day trial
- Cloud pricing (from €24/mo for 2,500 executions) scales quickly for high-volume workflows
- Self-hosting requires managing your own server/VPS and updates
- Steeper learning curve than simpler tools like Zapier for non-technical users
🎯 What can you use n8n for?
💰 How much does n8n cost?
Community (Self-Hosted)
- Unlimited workflow executions
- All 500+ integrations included
- Full AI agent building blocks
- Requires self-hosting on your own server
Cloud Starter
- 2,500 executions/mo
- Hosted by n8n, no server management
- 14-day free trial
Cloud Pro
- 10,000 executions/mo
- Higher concurrency & priority support
Business
- 40,000 executions/mo
- SSO/SAML, Git version control, multiple environments
🚀 How to use n8n
- Choose self-hosting (free, requires your own server) or sign up for n8n Cloud at n8n.io for a hosted 14-day trial.
- Create a new workflow and add a trigger node (a schedule, webhook, or app event) to start it.
- Chain together action nodes — app integrations, data transforms, or AI agent nodes — to build the automation logic visually.
- Test the workflow with sample data using the built-in execution log, then activate it to run automatically.
- For AI agents specifically, add an LLM node, connect a vector store or tool-calling node, and configure the agent's instructions.
🔀 Best n8n alternatives
Zapier AI
Simpler and more beginner-friendly, but with no free self-hosted option and per-task pricing that scales faster.
Flowise
More narrowly focused on building LLM/AI-agent chains specifically, rather than general business automation.
Dify
A closer fit if the main goal is building and deploying AI agent apps rather than connecting existing business tools.
🏆 Is n8n worth it?
n8n's real differentiator is the free, unlimited self-hosted Community Edition — while Zapier and most competitors charge per task or per automation run, n8n lets technical teams run unlimited workflows with every integration unlocked for the cost of a small VPS. Built-in AI agent nodes mean it doubles as a genuine AI-agent builder, not just an app-connector. It's a weaker fit for non-technical users who want a fully hosted, zero-maintenance tool — Cloud pricing has no permanent free tier, and self-hosting means you own the uptime and updates yourself.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is n8n free?
Yes, if you self-host — the Community Edition is 100% free with unlimited executions and all 500+ integrations. The hosted Cloud version has no permanent free tier, only a 14-day trial, with plans starting at €24/month.
Do I need to know how to code to use n8n?
No — workflows are built visually by connecting nodes, though technical users can drop into custom JavaScript or Python code inside any node for logic the built-in nodes don't cover.
Can n8n build AI agents?
Yes — it has native nodes for LLM chains, vector stores, memory, and tool-calling, so you can build and deploy an AI agent inside the same workflow builder used for regular automation.
How is n8n different from Zapier?
n8n offers a genuinely free, unlimited self-hosted option and deeper AI-agent building blocks, while Zapier is simpler for non-technical users but has no free self-hosting and charges per task.
What does self-hosting n8n require?
A server or VPS you control — typically costing $5-20/month — plus basic comfort managing updates and uptime yourself, in exchange for unlimited free executions.
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