Key Takeaways

Understanding n8n's pricing structure is essential for choosing the best option for your workflow automation needs. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the features, limitations, and cost-value aspects of n8n's free and paid plans, ensuring you make an informed decision based on your specific requirements.

• n8n Community Edition is entirely free for self-hosting and allows for commercial use.
• n8n Cloud simplifies setup for as low as $20/month, offering a managed solution.
• Self-hosting excels in scalability for complex or high-volume workflows.
• Enterprise plans cater to businesses requiring advanced features, security, and support.
• Transparent pricing ensures users clearly understand the value at each tier.

n8n’s blend of free and paid options meets the needs of individuals working on small projects and enterprises managing large-scale automation. In the sections below, we’ll explore these options in detail to help you find the best fit for your goals and budget.

Introduction

Is n8n free? If you’re searching for an affordable yet powerful tool that simplifies workflow automation, chances are you’ve come across this question. Known for its flexible pricing and open-source foundation, n8n is recognized as a go-to platform for individuals and organizations aiming to streamline processes effectively.

Unlike some competitors with rigid pricing tiers, n8n offers a distinctive pricing model, including a free self-hosted option for technically inclined users and paid plans like n8n Cloud, which provide convenience and scalability. Whether you’re comfortable managing your own infrastructure or seeking a fully managed solution, n8n balances user control, affordability, and robust functionality.

This in-depth guide walks through n8n’s pricing, features, and benefits, helping you understand how it can help you achieve seamless workflow automation regardless of your budget or team size.

n8n Pricing Overview & Editions

n8n's pricing structure is designed to accommodate a range of users, from individual creators to large enterprises. Its offerings include a free, open-source Community Edition, cloud-hosted plans, and enterprise solutions. Here’s an overview of the available editions:

1. n8n Community Edition (Free):

• Completely free for self-hosting with unlimited workflow executions.
• Ideal for users who want complete control over their workflows and are comfortable handling the hosting environment.

1. Cloud-Hosted Plans (Paid):

• Managed solutions that eliminate the need for infrastructure maintenance.
• Pricing starts at $20/month for basic plans with defined workflow execution limits.

1. Enterprise Plans:

• Designed for organizations requiring advanced features like enhanced security, priority support, and custom performance optimizations.
• Pricing is personalized to business needs, offering a high degree of scalability.

This tiered structure ensures n8n supports users ranging from individual hobbyists to global corporations, delivering workflow automation solutions at varying levels of complexity and scale. Let’s dig deeper into what each option offers, starting with the n8n Community Edition.

n8n Community Edition: Features and Limitations

The n8n Community Edition is highly attractive, particularly for developers and budget-conscious users, as it provides a feature-rich solution at no cost. With its open-source nature, it offers unlimited flexibility and customization for those who prefer a self-managed environment.

Key Features of the Community Edition

• Unlimited Workflow Executions: Unlike many competing platforms, this edition allows for unlimited operations, making it ideal for high-volume automation needs.
• Open-Source Flexibility: Users gain access to source code and can customize it for specific use cases or contribute improvements to the platform.
• Full Control: Self-hosting grants complete ownership over data, infrastructure, and configurations.
• Highly Cost-Effective: With no software costs involved, you only incur expenses for your hosting environment, which can sometimes be minimal if existing infrastructure is utilized.

Limitations of Self-Hosting

While this edition is powerful, there are some trade-offs:

• Technical Expertise Needed: Deploying and managing n8n instances requires familiarity with tools like Docker, server setup, and software dependencies.
• Infrastructure Costs: If you don’t already operate your own hosting environment, you may need to invest in cloud services or on-premises hardware.
• No Dedicated Support Services: Any issues or questions rely on community forums and resources, which may lack the speed or specificity of enterprise-grade customer support.

Overall, the Community Edition is best suited for technically skilled users or organizations seeking maximum customization.

Cloud-Hosted n8n Plans

n8n Cloud is designed to relieve users of the burden of infrastructure management by providing a seamless, managed experience. This option is perfect for individuals and businesses aiming for convenience and reliability without sacrificing performance.

Pricing Tiers and Execution Levels

• Entry Plan ($20/month): Suitable for light to moderate workflows, capped at approximately 5,000 executions per month.
• Intermediate and Advanced Plans ($50/month+): These tiers offer expanded execution limits and enhanced features, making them ideal for scaling businesses.
• Customized Plans: Tailored solutions with priority support and higher execution caps for businesses with exceptional automation demands.

Key Benefits of Cloud-Hosted Plans

• Effortless Setup and Maintenance: With infrastructure managed by n8n, users don’t have to worry about updates, scaling, or security patches.
• Predictable Costs: Monthly pricing is based on workflow execution volume, allowing users to plan budgets without unexpected expenses.
• Scalability with Simplicity: Plans can be adjusted dynamically to align with evolving business needs.
• User-Friendly: These plans are well-suited for those without advanced technical expertise, offering a plug-and-play solution for automation.

Cloud-hosted plans cater to users who value simplicity and are willing to invest in predictability and ease of use.

Premium Features and Enterprise Plans

For organizations with advanced or mission-critical requirements, n8n’s Enterprise Plans offer a premium experience. These plans introduce features to meet strict compliance standards, enhance performance, and provide personalized support.

Advanced Features Include:

• Enhanced Security and Compliance Tools: Enterprise-specific features include Single Sign-On (SSO), audit logs, IP whitelisting, and role-based access control.
• Dedicated Support: Priority customer service ensures faster resolution of issues.
• Customized Solutions: Larger execution thresholds and dedicated server resources cater to complex workflows.

n8n vs Competitors

When compared to alternatives like Zapier or Make, n8n excels in delivering scalability and flexibility, often at a fraction of the cost. Its self-hosted option is unparalleled in offering unlimited automation without recurring fees, making it an attractive option for organizations seeking long-term cost-efficiency.

Free vs Paid Plans: Value Breakdown

To determine the best value, it’s crucial to match features to needs:

• Self-Hosted (Free): Ideal for budget-conscious users with technical expertise. The risk lies in spending time on setup and maintenance rather than automation itself.
• Paid Cloud: Designed for users who prioritize ease of use and predictable operational costs. Ideal for non-technical teams or those scaling quickly.
• Enterprise: Tailored to businesses with advanced security, compliance, or workflow automation requirements, often delivering greater ROI through customization and efficiency.

By stacking n8n against competitors that charge per workflow or user, its scalability and transparent cost structures emerge as notable strengths for workflow-intensive use cases.

Choosing the Right Plan

The plan you choose should align with your expertise, infrastructure readiness, and workflow demands. Consider this:

1. For Solo Users/Small Projects: The Community Edition offers ample flexibility and freedom, ideal for developers or startups.
2. For Small and Medium Teams: A cloud-hosted plan provides operational simplicity and predictable costs for growing teams.
3. For Enterprises: Opt for an Enterprise Plan to access robust features, prioritized support, and heightened performance for critical systems.

Evaluate what matters most—cost, simplicity, or scale—and select accordingly.

Conclusion

n8n stands out in the crowded automation platform market by offering a unique combination of flexibility, affordability, and scalability. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, part of a thriving small team, or managing the automation needs of a large enterprise, n8n’s pricing structure adapts to your specific scenario.

The Community Edition provides unlimited workflows, unmatched customization, and cost savings for self-hosting users with technical expertise. Cloud-hosted plans deliver simplified management with predictable pricing for those prioritizing ease of use. Meanwhile, enterprise customers benefit from tailored solutions that include advanced security, enhanced performance, and dedicated support.

By aligning your choice with your automation goals and resources, you can unlock exceptional operational efficiencies and achieve sustainable growth in your workflow capabilities. The journey toward streamlined automation starts with choosing the plan that fits your needs—so where will n8n take you?