n8n is a workflow automation platform that connects apps, databases, and AI models so that data and tasks move between them automatically, without you building custom software from scratch. It works through a visual, node based canvas where each node represents one step, a trigger, an action, a data transformation, or a call to an AI model, and you can add your own JavaScript or Python code whenever the built in nodes are not enough. You can self host n8n for free on your own server or pay for its managed cloud service, which is why so many technical teams and agencies use it as a flexible, more affordable alternative to tools like Zapier and Make.
Key n8n statistics (2026)
- n8n has passed 198,000 stars on its GitHub repository as of 2026, making it one of the most starred workflow automation projects on the platform (GitHub, n8n-io/n8n repository, 2026).
- n8n raised 180 million dollars in a Series C round in October 2025, valuing the company at 2.5 billion dollars (n8n Blog, "n8n raises $180m to get AI closer to value with orchestration," October 2025).
- n8n's own Series B announcement reported more than 200,000 users worldwide and over 3,000 enterprise clients, including Vodafone and Delivery Hero (n8n Blog, March 2025).
n8n vs Zapier vs Make at a glance
| Dimension | n8n | Zapier | Make |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-hosting | Yes, free community edition on your own server | No, cloud only | No, cloud only |
| Pricing model | Free self-hosted, or cloud plans billed by workflow executions (from 20 euros a month) | Free tier, then priced per task used in an automation | Free tier, then priced per "operation" consumed |
| AI/LLM node support | Native AI Agent nodes with direct OpenAI and Anthropic Claude connections, plus custom code nodes | AI features layered onto existing app integrations | Dedicated AI and LLM modules alongside app integrations |
| Learning curve | Moderate, visual builder plus optional code for advanced logic | Low, built for non-technical users who want the fastest setup | Moderate, more configuration depth than Zapier |
| Best for | Technical teams and agencies building complex, AI driven, or self-hosted workflows | Small businesses and solo founders who want the simplest possible setup | Teams that want more visual flexibility than Zapier without managing servers |
What is n8n?
n8n is a source-available workflow automation tool, built around a visual, node based editor, that lets you connect software, APIs, and AI models to automate multi-step processes. It was founded in Berlin in 2019 by Jan Oberhauser, and the name is short for "nodemation," pronounced "n-eight-n," following the same naming pattern as "i18n" for internationalization. n8n calls its license "fair-code" rather than fully open source: the source code is public and free to self-host, but there are restrictions on repackaging it as a competing hosted product. In practice this means an individual developer or an agency can run n8n on their own infrastructure at no license cost, while n8n GmbH sells the hosted cloud version and enterprise features to fund development.
How does n8n work?
n8n works by letting you build a workflow as a chain of nodes on a visual canvas, where each node performs one job and passes its output to the next. A workflow typically starts with a trigger node (a webhook, a schedule, or an event from an app like Gmail or Slack), moves through action nodes that call APIs or transform data, and can branch using conditional logic, loops, or error handling paths. Because n8n runs on Node.js and supports embedded JavaScript or Python in a "Code" node, you are not limited to whatever a pre-built integration offers, since you can write custom logic anywhere in the chain. This combination of visual building blocks and optional code is what lets the same tool serve both non-technical users automating a simple form-to-email task and engineers building multi-step AI agents with retries, memory, and structured outputs.
What is n8n used for?
n8n is used to automate the repetitive, multi-step tasks that would otherwise require custom scripts or manual copy and paste between systems. Common use cases include syncing leads between a CRM and a spreadsheet or marketing tool, routing support tickets based on their content, generating and publishing content on a schedule, monitoring APIs and sending alerts, and orchestrating AI agents that read documents, call external tools, and write results back into a database. Agencies and internal operations teams particularly like n8n for client work because a single self-hosted instance can run many client workflows without paying a per-task fee to a third party. If you want a deeper look at how businesses measure the return on these kinds of workflows, our AI automation for business guide breaks down real cost and time savings across common use cases.
Is n8n free? How much does n8n cost?
n8n is free if you self host the community edition, and paid if you use its managed cloud plans or need enterprise features like SSO and dedicated support. The self-hosted version has no license fee and includes the same nodes and workflow logic as the paid product, so the only ongoing cost is your own server. n8n's cloud plans start at 20 euros a month for a Starter tier with a set number of monthly workflow executions, with Pro and Business tiers priced higher for more executions, more concurrent runs, and features like custom environments and version control through Git. Enterprise pricing is custom and adds dedicated infrastructure, an SLA, and external secret storage. For teams that would rather not manage servers or workflow logic themselves, AI automation services can design, build, and maintain n8n workflows so the internal team only has to use the output.
n8n vs Zapier vs Make: which one should you choose?
The right choice depends on how technical your team is and whether you want to self host. Zapier is generally the fastest to pick up and is a reasonable fit for a small business automating a handful of simple tasks between common apps, but its per-task pricing can get expensive as volume grows. Make offers a more visual, more flexible canvas than Zapier at a similar price range, which suits teams that want more control without managing infrastructure. n8n is the strongest option when you need to self host for cost or data control reasons, when your workflows involve custom code or complex branching logic, or when you are building AI agent pipelines that call multiple models and tools in sequence. Many agencies standardize on n8n specifically because a single self-hosted server can support many client workflows at a flat infrastructure cost instead of a per-task bill.
Can you self-host n8n?
Yes, n8n can be self hosted on your own server, and this is one of its most requested advantages over Zapier and Make, neither of which offers self-hosting at all. The community edition can be deployed with Docker, npm, or a standard cloud VM, and once running it gives you the same visual editor and node library as n8n's cloud product. Self-hosting means your workflow data and any credentials stay on infrastructure you control, which matters for teams with strict data residency or compliance requirements. The tradeoff is that you are responsible for updates, uptime, scaling, and backups yourself, which is why many businesses either use n8n's cloud plans or bring in a team to manage a self-hosted instance for them.
Does n8n support AI and LLM workflows?
Yes, n8n has native support for AI and large language model workflows through dedicated AI Agent nodes that connect to providers like OpenAI and Anthropic's Claude. These nodes let a workflow call a model with a prompt, give the model access to tools such as other nodes or external APIs, maintain memory across steps, and return structured data that later nodes can act on, effectively letting you build an AI agent without a separate framework. This AI layer is a major reason for n8n's recent growth, since teams increasingly want to orchestrate models and business systems together rather than treat AI as an isolated chatbot.
Jan Oberhauser, n8n's founder and CEO, has summarized this shift directly: "The winning recipe is AI, code and humans." That framing matches how n8n is actually used in practice: AI nodes handle judgment calls, code nodes handle precise logic, and human approval steps stay in the loop wherever a business needs oversight before a workflow acts.
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n free?
Yes, for self-hosting. The community edition is free to run on your own server with no license fee, while n8n's cloud plans are paid and priced by monthly workflow executions.
Do I need to code to use n8n?
No, most workflows can be built with n8n's visual node editor alone, though knowing basic JavaScript helps for advanced data transformations or custom logic.
Can n8n connect to ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes, n8n has built in AI Agent nodes for connecting to OpenAI's models and Anthropic's Claude, along with other model providers, so a workflow can call them directly as a step.
Is n8n open source?
Not exactly. n8n is source-available under what it calls a fair-code license: anyone can view, self-host, and modify the code for free, but there are limits on reselling it as a competing hosted service.
Is n8n better than Zapier?
It depends on your needs. n8n tends to suit technical teams that want self-hosting, custom code, or complex AI workflows, while Zapier is often simpler for non-technical users automating a few basic tasks.
What does n8n stand for?
n8n is short for "nodemation," a combination of "node" and "automation," and it is pronounced "n-eight-n."
Updated July 2026.
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