What is n8n, in short?
n8n is a workflow automation platform available as a managed cloud service or a self-hosted installation. Consider it when deployment control and custom workflow logic matter to your team. The free Community edition and the time-limited Cloud trial are different options. Self-hosting still requires infrastructure, maintenance and an accountable operator.
Key features
- Deployment choice — Run n8n in managed Cloud or on infrastructure you operate.
- Workflow canvas — Create node-based workflows and run them from the editor before publishing.
- Code steps — Use JavaScript or Python in a Code node; runtime and library restrictions depend on the environment.
- REST API requests — Configure HTTP requests or import cURL commands to connect a REST API.
- Execution inspection and retry — View accessible workflow executions, filter their status and retry failed runs.
Feature list taken from the sources listed at the foot of this profile, not from our testing.
Strengths and limits
Strengths
- Deployment choice: Choose managed n8n Cloud or deployment on your own infrastructure.
- Ongoing Community option: Self-hosted Community can be used without an ongoing software subscription; hosting and operating effort remain separate.
- Workflow-based billing: Paid plans use workflow executions as the billing unit rather than charging for each individual step.
Limits to plan around
- Self-hosting responsibility: Running your own installation requires you to provide and manage the infrastructure and maintenance.
- Cloud trial is temporary: The documented Cloud trial lasts 14 days and allows 1,000 executions; it is not a continuing free hosted plan.
- Edition-dependent governance: Some collaboration and governance capabilities require a paid edition; Community should not be assumed to include every paid feature.
Derived from documented behaviour and published limits, not from a scored review.
Who is it for?
- Teams with a technical ownerEditorial assessment: consider self-hosting when deployment control is important and someone can operate, update and restore the installation.
- Teams preferring managed hostingEditorial assessment: consider Cloud when infrastructure operation should sit with the provider while your team owns workflow behavior.
- Operators comparing workflow costsEditorial assessment: consider the execution-based pricing model alongside external-service charges and operational effort; evaluate the same task before committing.
Our editorial judgement about fit, based on what the documented features support. The vendor makes no such claim about these groups.
How much does n8n cost?
Pricing check: Unresolved details. Check the current provider terms before subscribing.
| Plan | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Community | Free software | Self-hosted; infrastructure, maintenance and external services excluded. |
| Cloud trial | 14-day trial | 1,000 executions; temporary access, not a continuing free hosted plan. |
| Enterprise | Contact provider | Custom scope and terms. |
| Starter Cloud | EUR 20/month, billed annually | Annual billing. 2,500 executions/month. Taxes, checkout conditions and external service costs were not checked. |
| Pro Cloud | EUR 50/month, billed annually | Annual billing. 10,000 executions/month. Taxes, checkout conditions and external service costs were not checked. |
| Business self-hosted | EUR 667/month, billed annually | Annual billing. 40,000 executions/month. Taxes, checkout conditions and external service costs were not checked. |
No comparable numeric price range is confirmed here. Individual plan notes may include documented amounts, but unknown billing units, unavailable figures or inconsistent terms are not converted into a single price range. See the evidence checks and original pricing source below.
This profile is based on provider documentation. No hands-on product test has been performed.
Cloud or self-hosted?
Cloud is managed by n8n. Self-hosting gives you deployment responsibility and configuration control. Community can be used indefinitely without a subscription; some collaboration and governance capabilities require a paid edition. Free software access does not include your hosting or operating effort. Sources: Choose how to use n8n.
How is paid usage priced?
The public page lists annual-billing monthly equivalents of EUR 20 for Starter with 2,500 executions, EUR 50 for Pro with 10,000, and EUR 667 for self-hosted Business with 40,000. Enterprise is quoted separately. The billable unit is a workflow execution rather than each step. Taxes and additional service costs were not verified. Sources: n8n pricing.
What happens after the free Cloud trial?
The documented Cloud trial lasts 14 days and allows 1,000 executions. Without an upgrade, the workspace expires and is deleted; documentation provides a limited window for downloading workflows. The trial is an evaluation period, not a continuing free hosted plan. Sources: Cloud trial and expiry.
Who should consider n8n?
Editorial assessment: teams with a technical owner and a clear need to customize logic or hosting are plausible candidates. Choose who will maintain credentials, review failed executions and approve changes. Managed hosting can remove infrastructure work while leaving workflow ownership with your team.
When should you reconsider self-hosting?
Editorial assessment: do not choose it solely because the subscription price is zero. Write down the maintenance tasks and assign time to them. If no one can restore the installation or investigate failed jobs, compare a managed option before connecting a critical process.
A task to evaluate before choosing
Proposed evaluation, not performed: build an isolated workflow with synthetic IDs, a transformation and a test destination. Exercise success, duplicate input and destination failure. Save the workflow export and execution logs, and document how you would restore them. Compare total operational effort as well as the usage bill.
What limits apply to custom code?
The Code node supports JavaScript and Python, but library access depends on hosting. On Cloud, external npm imports are unavailable and Python imports are restricted. Self-hosted environments can enable supported libraries through their configuration. Check the runtime and deployment requirements before relying on an existing script; this profile does not establish that a particular script will run. Sources: Official documentation.
Explore the wider workflow
For related choices and our review method, see AI automation tools, Zapier, our editorial policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n free?
The self-hosted Community edition is an ongoing free software option. That does not include the infrastructure or work needed to operate it. n8n Cloud instead offers a time-limited trial followed by paid plans. Compare hosting responsibility and required edition features before treating Community and Cloud as equivalent ways to obtain free access.
How long is the Cloud trial?
The documented Cloud trial lasts 14 days with a limit of 1,000 executions. Without an upgrade, it expires and the workspace is deleted; the guide describes a later window for downloading workflows. Keep a separate copy of anything you need before the trial ends rather than using the trial workspace as permanent storage.
Does n8n charge for every workflow step?
The pricing page describes paid usage in full workflow executions rather than a separate charge for each step. This billing unit does not establish that external APIs, AI services or hosting costs are included. Estimate how often the workflow runs and review its other service dependencies before comparing a total monthly cost.
Can I avoid managing a server?
Yes. n8n Cloud is the managed option, so n8n handles the infrastructure. Our editorial advice is still to name an owner for credentials, failed runs and workflow changes. Hosting responsibility and process responsibility are different decisions; choose Cloud when you want the former handled by the provider while retaining control of your workflow design.
Is Community identical to paid self-hosting?
No. Community, registered Community and paid editions have different feature access. Registration can unlock some additional free features, while capabilities such as SSO and environments require suitable paid access. Write down your actual collaboration and deployment requirements, then check the edition matrix instead of assuming self-hosting automatically includes the full enterprise feature set.
Evidence for key details
These checks apply to the individual details below. A recent check of one detail does not mean every section was reviewed again.
- n8n is a workflow automation platform available as a managed cloud service or a self-hosted installation. Consider it when deployment control and custom workflow logic matter to your team. The free Community edition and the time-limited Cloud trial are different options. Self-hosting still requires infrastructure, maintenance and an accountable operator.Unresolved · Editorial assessment · Checked . Quick answer combines documented capabilities and editorial fit; see individual source checks. Editorial assessment, not measured product performance. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Cloud is managed by n8n. Self-hosting gives you deployment responsibility and configuration control. Community can be used indefinitely without a subscription; some collaboration and governance capabilities require a paid edition. Free software access does not include your hosting or operating effort.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- The public page lists annual-billing monthly equivalents of EUR 20 for Starter with 2,500 executions, EUR 50 for Pro with 10,000, and EUR 667 for self-hosted Business with 40,000. Enterprise is quoted separately. The billable unit is a workflow execution rather than each step. Taxes and additional service costs were not verified.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- The documented Cloud trial lasts 14 days and allows 1,000 executions. Without an upgrade, the workspace expires and is deleted; documentation provides a limited window for downloading workflows. The trial is an evaluation period, not a continuing free hosted plan.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Editorial assessment: teams with a technical owner and a clear need to customize logic or hosting are plausible candidates. Choose who will maintain credentials, review failed executions and approve changes. Managed hosting can remove infrastructure work while leaving workflow ownership with your team.Documented · Editorial assessment · Checked . Editorial assessment, not measured product performance.
- Editorial assessment: do not choose it solely because the subscription price is zero. Write down the maintenance tasks and assign time to them. If no one can restore the installation or investigate failed jobs, compare a managed option before connecting a critical process.Documented · Editorial assessment · Checked . Editorial assessment, not measured product performance.
- Proposed evaluation, not performed: build an isolated workflow with synthetic IDs, a transformation and a test destination. Exercise success, duplicate input and destination failure. Save the workflow export and execution logs, and document how you would restore them. Compare total operational effort as well as the usage bill.Unresolved · Editorial assessment · Checked . Proposed evaluation only; no product test was performed. Editorial assessment, not measured product performance.
- Cloud trial executions: 1000 trial totalDocumented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Starter concurrency: 5 executionsDocumented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Only self-hosted Community is an ongoing free option. Managed Cloud uses a time-limited trial and paid plans.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Free access scope only; this does not verify every paid amount or quota. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Managed Cloud web editor; Self-hosted web editorUnresolved · Provider documentation · Checked . Availability summarized from public documentation; platform parity and account availability were not tested. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Starter Cloud: EUR 20 per month, annual billing. 2500 executions per month.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Documented individual plan amount only; not a comparable numeric offer range. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Pro Cloud: EUR 50 per month, annual billing. 10000 executions per month.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Documented individual plan amount only; not a comparable numeric offer range. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Business self-hosted: EUR 667 per month, annual billing. 40000 executions per month.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Documented individual plan amount only; not a comparable numeric offer range. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Free access refers to self-hosted Community software; infrastructure and maintenance are separate. Cloud has a 14-day, 1,000-execution trial. Paid amounts below are monthly equivalents with annual billing, not monthly contracts.Unresolved · Provider documentation · Checked . No comparable numeric offer range is imported. Review each visible plan and source. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Deployment choice: Choose managed n8n Cloud or deployment on your own infrastructure.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Ongoing Community option: Self-hosted Community can be used without an ongoing software subscription; hosting and operating effort remain separate.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Workflow-based billing: Paid plans use workflow executions as the billing unit rather than charging for each individual step.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Self-hosting responsibility: Running your own installation requires you to provide and manage the infrastructure and maintenance.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Cloud trial is temporary: The documented Cloud trial lasts 14 days and allows 1,000 executions; it is not a continuing free hosted plan.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Edition-dependent governance: Some collaboration and governance capabilities require a paid edition; Community should not be assumed to include every paid feature.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Teams with a technical owner: Editorial assessment: consider self-hosting when deployment control is important and someone can operate, update and restore the installation.Unresolved · Editorial assessment · Checked . Suitability inference only; no hands-on result or provider recommendation is asserted. Editorial assessment, not measured product performance. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Teams preferring managed hosting: Editorial assessment: consider Cloud when infrastructure operation should sit with the provider while your team owns workflow behavior.Unresolved · Editorial assessment · Checked . Suitability inference only; no hands-on result or provider recommendation is asserted. Editorial assessment, not measured product performance. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Operators comparing workflow costs: Editorial assessment: consider the execution-based pricing model alongside external-service charges and operational effort; evaluate the same task before committing.Unresolved · Editorial assessment · Checked . Suitability inference only; no hands-on result or provider recommendation is asserted. Editorial assessment, not measured product performance. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Run n8n in managed Cloud or on infrastructure you operate.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Create node-based workflows and run them from the editor before publishing.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Use JavaScript or Python in a Code node; runtime and library restrictions depend on the environment.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Configure HTTP requests or import cURL commands to connect a REST API.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- View accessible workflow executions, filter their status and retry failed runs.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Community is an ongoing free self-hosted software option; hosting and maintenance remain the operator’s responsibility. Cloud has a trial and paid access.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- The Cloud trial lasts 14 days with 1,000 executions; without upgrade the workspace expires and is deleted, with a documented workflow-download window.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Paid pricing uses full workflow executions rather than individual steps.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- n8n Cloud is managed by the provider; self-hosted infrastructure is operated by the customer.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- Community, registered Community and paid editions have different capabilities; registration adds some free features and suitable paid editions add SSO and environments.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Read the source (opens in a new tab)
- The Code node supports JavaScript and Python, but library access depends on hosting. On Cloud, external npm imports are unavailable and Python imports are restricted. Self-hosted environments can enable supported libraries through their configuration. Check the runtime and deployment requirements before relying on an existing script; this profile does not establish that a particular script will run.Documented · Provider documentation · Checked . Documentation review only; no workflow or script was run. Read the source (opens in a new tab)
Sources for this profile
- n8n pricing (checked 2026-09-23)
- Choose how to use n8n (checked 2026-09-23)
- Cloud trial and expiry (checked 2026-09-23)
- Official product landing page (checked 2026-09-23)
- Create and run workflows (checked 2026-09-23)
- Code node (checked 2026-09-23)
- HTTP Request node (checked 2026-09-23)
- View all executions (checked 2026-09-23)
Public profile text, plan presentation, sources and media were reviewed on September 23, 2026 using provider documentation. No hands-on product test was performed. The general review date is separate from a complete pricing review; checkout, taxes, account-specific offers and operational results were not verified. Remaining uncertainties are stated in the profile. Checked September 23, 2026. Found something out of date? The editorial policy explains how we correct profiles.
