n8n
Open-source automation you can self-host.
Category: Automation
n8n is a source-available workflow automation tool you can run on your own server, which removes per-task fees entirely and makes it the cheapest option at high volume. It pairs a node-based visual canvas with inline code steps, so technical teams can build logic that no-code tools can't express. A managed cloud plan exists for teams that would rather not maintain an instance.
At a glance
- Best for
- Technical teams comfortable self-hosting for near-zero cost
- Pricing
- Self-hosted: free (server costs only). Cloud Starter $24/mo ($20 annually) for 2,500 executions.
Pros
- Self-hosting removes per-task fees entirely
- Code steps handle logic no-code builders can't express
- Data stays on infrastructure you control
Cons
- Someone has to run and maintain the instance
- Built for technical users — steepest learning curve in this category
- Smaller native integration catalog than Zapier or Make
What reviewers say
Reviewers consistently choose n8n for price and control. The most-cited reason for switching from Zapier is cost: n8n bills per workflow run, not per step, so multi-step automations stay cheap as they grow. Self-hosting and data control are the other big draws, and its AI agent nodes have made it a go-to for teams building LLM-powered workflows. The recurring knock is the learning curve — n8n assumes comfort with JSON, expressions, and APIs, and non-technical users find it harder to start than Zapier or Make. Its native integration library is also smaller than Zapier's, though the HTTP Request node covers most gaps for those who can use it.
Who should skip it
Skip n8n if you're non-technical and want the fastest path to a working automation — Zapier or Make will get you there with less friction. Also skip self-hosting unless someone on your team is comfortable maintaining a server; the free Community edition isn't free once you count hosting, updates, and your time. n8n earns its place when workflows are multi-step and high-volume, or when you need AI agents, custom code, or control over where your data lives.
Pricing reality
n8n Cloud is billed by monthly workflow executions, in USD for US customers: Starter is $24/mo ($20 billed annually) for 2,500 executions, and Pro is $60/mo for 10,000. The key difference from Zapier and Make is that one execution is one full workflow run, however many steps it has, so a ten-step workflow costs the same as a two-step one. Watch for two things: test runs and error retries also count as executions, and there's no free Cloud plan, only a trial. Every Cloud plan includes unlimited users and workflows. The self-hosted Community edition is free software, but the real cost is your server plus maintenance time; the self-hosted Business tier runs about $800/mo for teams that need SSO and admin controls.
Last verified: 2026-10-24 · source
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