Agent platforms · Updated 2026-10-25
n8n — what it is actually for
n8n is a fair-code workflow automation platform with integrations and AI/agent nodes. It can be self-hosted for free or used on n8n Cloud, where plans are priced by workflow executions and AI credits.
Short answer: use n8n when you need connecting saas apps and internal apis. It is a open source + subscription + free cloud trial service from n8n; the official pricing source is linked below.
- Vendor
- n8n
- Category
- Agent platforms
- Pricing model
- Open source + subscription + free cloud trial
- Free option
- The Community Edition can be self-hosted for free. n8n Cloud offers a free trial rather than a permanent free tier.
What n8n is used for
- Connecting SaaS apps and internal APIs
- AI-powered workflows with agent steps
- Scheduled and webhook-driven automations
Source: official product page and official documentation.
Who n8n is for
- Operations teams automating SaaS workflows
- Teams that want to self-host automation
- Workflows that mix deterministic steps with AI steps
Source: official documentation.
Who it is not for
- Teams that want a pure code-first agent framework
- Buyers who need a permanent free cloud tier
Source: documented plans, limits, and deployment model on the official product page.
Pricing
- Community Edition is free to self-host under the Sustainable Use License.Source: n8n.io
- Cloud Starter is EUR 20/month billed annually with 2,500 executions; Pro is EUR 50/month with 10,000 executions; Business is EUR 667/month with 40,000 executions.Source: n8n.io
- Cloud plans include monthly AI credits. Enterprise pricing is custom.Source: n8n.io
Executions are counted per completed workflow run, not per step. AI credits are a separate allowance.
Full pricing page: https://n8n.io/pricing
Alternatives to n8n
- Dify — Open-source LLM app platform with visual workflows, RAG, and agents.
- LangGraph — Low-level orchestration framework for stateful, long-running agents, plus a managed platform.
- CrewAI — Framework and platform for role-based multi-agent crews.
Official sources
n8n FAQ
Is n8n free?
Yes. The Community Edition can be self-hosted for free under the Sustainable Use License. n8n Cloud is paid, with a free trial.
How does n8n count executions?
n8n counts completed workflow runs, not individual steps, according to its pricing page.
Does n8n include AI features?
Yes. n8n has AI and agent nodes, and Cloud plans include a monthly AI credit allowance.