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n8n Review 2026: Features, Pricing & Alternatives

Automation & AgentsFreemiumBy n8n GmbHUpdated Oct 2026

Visual workflow automation with AI agents and 400+ app integrations.

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At a glance

  • Category: Automation & Agents
  • Pricing: Freemium · paid from ~€20/mo
  • Best for: Automating workflows and building AI agents
  • Platforms: Cloud, self-hosted (Docker, npm)
  • Made by: n8n GmbH
  • Website: n8n.io

Overview

What is n8n?

n8n is a workflow automation platform that lets you connect apps, APIs and AI models on a visual canvas. Each workflow is a chain of nodes — triggers, actions, logic and AI steps — that runs automatically.

Unlike many automation tools, n8n can be self-hosted for free and lets you drop into JavaScript or Python whenever you need. Its AI Agent nodes make it a popular choice for building chatbots, lead-qualification flows and internal AI assistants.

Quick verdict

n8n is best for…

Automating workflows and building AI agents.

Try n8n ↗

Features

Key features of n8n

Visual workflow editor

Drag-and-drop nodes to build automations.

400+ integrations

Connect Google, Slack, HubSpot, OpenAI and more.

AI Agent nodes

Build agents with memory, tools and any LLM.

Code when you need it

Add JavaScript or Python steps inside workflows.

Self-hosting

Run it on your own server for full data control.

Templates

Start from thousands of community workflows.

Verdict

n8n pros and cons

What we like

  • Free, unlimited self-hosted Community edition
  • Very flexible — code and no-code together
  • Excellent for AI agent workflows
  • Fair pricing based on executions, not steps

Things to consider

  • Steeper learning curve than Zapier
  • Self-hosting needs some technical skill
  • Cloud plans limit monthly executions

Pricing

n8n pricing plans

Prices checked October 2026 — always confirm on the official website before buying.

Community

Free

Self-host n8n on your own server with unlimited workflows.

Starter

From ~€20/mo

Managed cloud with monthly executions (billed yearly).

Pro

From ~€50/mo

More executions, workflow history and admin features.

Business and Enterprise plans add SSO, environments and dedicated support.

Use cases

What you can do with n8n

  • Lead capture and CRM syncing
  • AI chatbots and support agents
  • Social media and content automation
  • Data syncing between apps
  • Internal reports and alerts

Getting started

How to start using n8n

  1. Start a free cloud trial at n8n.io or self-host with Docker.
  2. Pick a trigger — a form, schedule, webhook or app event.
  3. Add nodes for each action, including AI steps.
  4. Test the workflow, then activate it.
Get started ↗

FAQ

n8n — frequently asked questions

Yes. The self-hosted Community edition is free. Cloud plans are paid and include a free trial.

n8n is more flexible and cheaper at scale, especially self-hosted; Zapier is easier for beginners.

Yes. n8n has AI Agent nodes that work with OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini and other models.

No, most workflows are built visually, but you can add code steps when needed.

Alternatives

Best n8n alternatives

Comparing options? These tools are worth a look too.

ChatGPT

Conversational AI for writing, research, analysis and coding — the all-rounder most people start with.

View ChatGPT →

Claude

A thoughtful AI assistant for long documents, careful writing and serious coding work.

View Claude →

Hugging Face

Open models, datasets and ML tooling for builders — the home of open-source AI.

View Hugging Face →

See all Automation & Agents tools →  ·  Browse every AI tool →

New to n8n? Read our full guide: What Is n8n? The Ultimate 2026 Guide to AI Workflow Automation. It covers pricing, AI agents, key features and how to get started in 5 steps.

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