Reviewed by Alexis Morain · Updated July 11, 2026
The reference for open source automation: powerful, self-hostable, and billed by execution, at the cost of some technical setup and self-hosted maintenance.

n8n is an open source workflow automation platform published by n8n GmbH in Berlin. It connects hundreds of applications to build automated scenarios, with one major advantage: you can self-host it for free and keep full control of your data.
You build workflows in a visual editor by connecting nodes: a trigger (webhook, schedule, new email) chains actions across more than 500 integrations, with the option to add JavaScript or Python code when no-code hits its limits. n8n also has AI nodes for building agents and LLM chains. Cloud billing is based on executions, not tasks, which keeps costs down on complex workflows.
Compared to Zapier and Make, which are closed and billed per task, n8n stands out with its open source model, self-hosting, and execution-based pricing. Compared to Pipedream, very developer-oriented, it offers a more approachable visual editor. For anyone wanting sovereignty and technical flexibility, it's the best of the bunch.
Self-hosting requires technical skills and ongoing maintenance. The visual editor, while more powerful, is also less immediate than Zapier's for a beginner. Some enterprise features (SSO, environments) are reserved for paid plans.
Visual editor
Workflows built from trigger and action nodes
500+ integrations
Connects to hundreds of applications
Built-in code
JavaScript or Python when no-code falls short
AI nodes
Agents and LLM chains inside workflows
n8n is open source and free to self-host (unlimited executions, 500+ integrations, you only cover your own server). The managed cloud version starts at €24/month (Starter, 2,500 executions), then €60/month (Pro, 10,000 executions), and €800/month (Business, SSO). Billing is by execution, not by task, and annual billing offers about a 17% discount. 14-day cloud trial.
Free plan / trial
Self-hosted Community edition: free and open source, unlimited executions and the full integration catalog, installed on your own server.
Community (self-hosted)
Open source · Unlimited executions · 500+ integrations
€0
Starter
2,500 executions/month · Unlimited users · Unlimited workflows
€24 per month
Pro
10,000 executions/month · Higher concurrency · Extended retention
€60 per month
Business
40,000 executions/month · SSO · Git integration
€800 per month
Pricing verified on July 11, 2026
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