n8n

Open-source automation with self-hosting ideal when you need complete control, want to own infrastructure, or have technical teams building workflows.

n8n

Overview

What it does

n8n lets you build, version, and self-host automation workflows with full control over data, logic, and infrastructure using an open-source platform.

You'll love

You have technical teams, want infrastructure control, or need sensitive data to stay on your own servers for compliance and security requirements.

Pricing

Who is it for icon

240

/ year

Who is it for icon

24

/ month

Use cases

Who is it for icon

Self-host workflows with full data control

Who is it for icon

Version control automations with Git

Who is it for icon

Build complex logic without vendor lock-in

Ideal for

Companies with security or compliance needs, technical teams who want version control for workflows, and cost-conscious operations at scale.

I test every tool myself before recommending it. Some links are affiliate links—if you buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Considerations for new users

n8n is free and open-source but requires technical setup and maintenance you'll need someone comfortable with servers, Docker, and basic DevOps. Cloud hosting is available (around €20/month) but removes the main benefits of self-hosting. Compared to Zapier or Make, n8n is far cheaper at scale but demands technical investment. If you have engineering resources and need control, n8n delivers incredible value. If you're non-technical or just want something that works, stick with Zapier. n8n works best for companies with compliance requirements, high automation volume, or technical teams who want flexibility without recurring SaaS costs. Overkill for small, non-technical teams.

n8n

alternatives

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No-code automation connecting 5,000+ apps to move data and trigger actions excellent for quick wins when you need integrations that just work.

How to automate

n8n

Zapier

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From

20

per month

Zapier

No-code automation connecting 5,000+ apps to move data and trigger actions excellent for quick wins when you need integrations that just work.

n8n

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From

24

per month

n8n

Open-source automation with self-hosting ideal when you need complete control, want to own infrastructure, or have technical teams building workflows.

Make

Rating

Rating

Rating

Rating

Rating

From

4.13

per month

Make

Visual automation platform with advanced logic and error handling more powerful than Zapier when you need control over complex, branching workflows.

Pipedream

Rating

Rating

Rating

Rating

Rating

From

45

per month

Pipedream

Code-friendly automation running Node.js workflows excellent when you need custom logic, API integrations, or automations that Zapier can't handle.

n8n

review

I have used Zapier for eight years, yet n8n has become my preferred platform for heavy automation. Setting up the cloud trial took minutes, and self-hosting in Docker was equally painless. The visual canvas feels like a proper flow-chart: I can run parallel branches, insert code blocks and merge paths without splitting work across several Zaps.

The open-source licence is liberating. I host client workflows on my own VPS, so monthly costs stay flat even when automations run thousands of times. Built-in features such as the form trigger, templates library and AI assistant speed up development. The forum is active and most problems have community answers.

There are rough edges. Some smaller apps lack native nodes, so I rely on manual API calls. Debugging large flows can be fiddly, and the interface is less polished than Zapier’s. Colleagues who are not comfortable with JSON occasionally need guidance. Even so, the control and savings outweigh these quirks. For teams ready to invest a little learning time, n8n delivers enterprise-grade flexibility at a fraction of Zapier’s price.

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n8n

Rating

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From

24

per month

n8n

Open-source automation with self-hosting ideal when you need complete control, want to own infrastructure, or have technical teams building workflows.