Tool profile · Automation
n8n is a workflow automation platform that describes itself as fair-code. It can be self-hosted under the Sustainable Use License or used as the paid n8n Cloud service.
Self-hosted Community edition: free to use under the Sustainable Use License (you pay for your own hosting). n8n Cloud Starter: 20€/mo billed annually for 2.5K workflow executions.
| Plan | Price | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Community edition (self-hosted) | Free licence; hosting costs are yours | Most features; you install, update and secure it yourself |
| Starter (Cloud) | 20€/mo, billed annually | 2.5K workflow executions with unlimited steps |
| Pro (Cloud) | 50€/mo, billed annually | 10K workflow executions with unlimited steps |
| Business | 667€/mo, billed annually | 40K workflow executions; self-hosted |
| Enterprise | Contact sales | — |
This profile summarizes n8n’s pricing page, documentation and licence text checked on 6 October 2026. It is not a hands-on review or a claim about reliability. n8n calls itself fair-code, not open source: its Sustainable Use License allows use “only for your own internal business purposes or for non-commercial or personal use”. Read the licence yourself if your use is unusual.
A free licence is not a free system. If you self-host, budget for the server, backups, updates and the time of the person who looks after them. If no one on your team can do that, compare the n8n Cloud plans instead, and trial one real workflow before you commit.
Automation
Need a free Zapier alternative? Compare n8n, Activepieces, Make, Power Automate, Pabbly Connect and IFTTT on free limits, usage counting and real cost.