You get workflow automation that mixes no-code building blocks with code hooks and built-in AI.
Run it in the cloud or self-host to keep control over data and runtime.
Expect a steeper learning curve than Zapier but get deeper control for multi-step automations and custom integrations.
Templates speed setup; over 1700 workflow templates help you get a runnable flow quickly.
Who it's for
You build multi-step automations that combine APIs and small bits of code, and you can tolerate a technical UI. You will be disappointed if you expect a non-technical, fully polished drag-and-drop that never needs edits.
Buy it if
- You write JavaScript or Python snippets inside workflows to transform data before sending it on.
- You need to stitch together many services and custom APIs in one multi-step flow.
- You host your own stack or need control over where data runs and can manage infrastructure.
Skip it if
- You use Zapier and want every integration to feel plug-and-play without touching code.
- You have non-technical teammates who must build and maintain automations with zero learning.
- You cannot tolerate occasional rough edges in community or niche app nodes.
Your first hour
Sign-up on the cloud site asks only for an email and a few clicks, and the trial starts immediately with no card required.
You can have a runnable workflow in under 20 minutes by picking and running a template from the library.
- Create account Registration asks for an email and activates a 14-day trial with sample data and access to cloud features.
- Pick a template Choose from over 1700 templates to start with a prebuilt multi-step workflow you can edit.
- Connect apps Add one of 500+ integrations by pasting API keys or OAuth credentials for each service.
- Run and inspect Run the workflow and re-run single steps to debug, with the trial including 1,000 executions to test.
If you are non-technical, stop after the first hour; n8n is not friendly to zero-code users.
What you actually get per plan
n8n charges as cloud subscriptions with execution quotas, concurrency limits, and monthly AI credits. There is a free self-hosted Community Edition and a 14-day trial that includes test executions and AI credits. Most small teams and freelancers land on the Starter plan because it gives hosted convenience and a few thousand executions.
| Plan | Price | What’s inside | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Edition | Free | Self-hosted; full feature set; unlimited executions | Self-host only |
| Starter | €20/month (billed annually) | 2,500 workflow executions/month; 5 concurrent executions; 2,300 AI credits/month | Price shown requires annual billing |
| Pro | €50/month (billed annually) | 10,000 workflow executions/month; 20 concurrent executions; 5,700 AI credits/month | Price shown requires annual billing |
| Business | €667/month (billed annually) | 40,000 workflow executions/month; 6 concurrent projects; AI Assistant included | Not available on n8n Cloud |
Three real situations
Here are three real situations showing what n8n does and when it fails.
A freelance developer with three retainer clients
They build custom data pipelines, save about 6 hours monthly, and can run on the Starter plan for €20/month.
A two-person Shopify store
If order volumes trigger many webhooks, they hit the Starter’s 2,500 executions and must upgrade to Pro or self-host.
A non-technical solopreneur sending a weekly newsletter
They will struggle with setup and occasional broken community nodes; choose a simpler tool like Zapier or Make instead.
Where it falls short
Reviewers and users say the UI can hide failures, showing a “success” when a workflow actually fell back.
Webhook integrations require the correct responseMode, and n8n does not warn you which setting to use. Community and niche app nodes are often less polished than Zapier’s official integrations. AI nodes lag underlying SDK changes, so new model parameters can appear weeks later.
Watch out: The Business plan is not available on n8n Cloud, and extra execution buckets cost 4,000 EUR per 300,000 runs.
The practical traps hit budgets and non-technical teams hardest. Concurrency limits are fixed per plan and cannot be raised on demand. AI credits reset on the first of each month and do not roll over, so bursty usage burns them quickly. Self-hosting gives unlimited executions but needs ops skills and maintenance. Cloud accounts retain workflow code and credentials until you delete them, which matters for privacy or audit requirements.
Common questions
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The Community Edition is free and self-hosted via GitHub, and the cloud offers a 14-day trial with no card required.
Can I cancel any time?
Yes, you can terminate your cloud subscription from the account or by emailing support.
n8n can also suspend access for policy or security reasons.
Do they give refunds?
n8n does not publish a general refund policy; contact support for billing issues.
Does n8n train models on my data?
No—n8n says it will not use Customer Data to train its models.
It may derive de-identified datasets and deletes AI feature inputs after 30 days.
What is the cheapest way to try it?
Run the Community Edition from GitHub for free or sign up for the cloud 14-day trial with no card.
The trial includes test executions and AI credits to exercise AI features.
Bottom line
Buy it only if you are technical and need multi-step automations you can self-host or run in n8n Cloud.
The realistic entry point is the Starter cloud plan at €20/month billed annually.
If you are non-technical, skip it and use Zapier or Make instead.
