What it is
n8n is a workflow automation platform you can self-host, with a node-based visual builder, the ability to write JavaScript inside workflows, and no per-task pricing when you run it yourself.
It also offers a hosted cloud version priced by workflow executions rather than by individual operations, which is cheaper than both Zapier and Make at volume.
It is aimed at people comfortable with a server and a little code, and it rewards them substantially.
What it does
Node-based workflows similar to Make's, with the significant addition that you can drop into JavaScript or Python at any step to do something the nodes do not cover.
Self-hosting means your data never leaves your infrastructure, which resolves the compliance objection that rules out hosted automation for some businesses.
AI agent nodes let you build workflows where a model makes decisions or processes content mid-flow, and this is currently the most practical automation-plus-AI tooling I have used.
Its integration library is smaller than Zapier's, mitigated by a generic HTTP node that connects to any API you are willing to read the documentation for.
Who it's for
Features
Pros and cons
Pricing
| PLAN | WHAT YOU GET | WORTH IT FOR |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted community | Free, unlimited workflows and executions. | Technical teams with a server. |
| Cloud Starter | Hosted, limited executions. | Small teams avoiding server management. |
| Cloud Pro | More executions and concurrency. | Regular heavy use. |
| Enterprise | SSO, air-gapped deployment, support. | Regulated organisations. |
Self-hosting is free apart from your server cost, typically a few pounds a month. Cloud pricing counts whole executions rather than individual steps.
Self-hosted on a small cloud server if you or somebody in the business is comfortable with that. Otherwise Cloud Starter, which is still cheaper than the equivalent Zapier plan.
Alternatives
My verdict
n8n is the best automation platform for anybody technical, and the least suitable for anybody who is not. Self-hosted it costs the price of a small server, has no task limits, and the code nodes mean you never hit a wall.
Its AI tooling is currently ahead of both rivals. If you want a workflow where a model reads incoming enquiries, classifies them and routes them, this is where I would build it.
The honest caveat: self-hosting is maintenance. If nobody in the business will update a container or investigate a failed run, use Make and pay for somebody else to worry about it.
Try n8n →Who should use it
Who should avoid it
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Affiliate disclosure
I earn nothing from this recommendation. There is no affiliate link on this page and I pay for my own subscription where one is needed. When a review on this site does carry a commercial link, it says so in this same place on the page.