If you’ve ever tried to set up automation without paying a fortune, n8n probably popped up on your radar. But figuring out what’s actually free, what’s paid, and what you’ll need to host yourself can get confusing fast.
Here’s the truth: n8n can be free, but only if you’re willing to get your hands a little dirty.
In this post, I’ll break it all down—no fluff, no vague “contact sales” links. Just real talk about what you get with the free self-hosted version, what the cloud plans cost, and how it stacks up against the big guys like Zapier and Make.
What is n8n?
Think of n8n as your DIY automation wizard. It’s an open-source workflow automation tool that lets you connect apps, trigger actions, and pass data around—without writing much code (if any).
Need to save new form submissions to Google Sheets? Trigger Slack alerts when someone mentions your brand on Twitter? Build multi-step, logic-heavy automations? You’re covered.
It’s kind of like Zapier or Make, but with two huge differences:
- It’s open-source , so you can self-host it.
- It’s incredibly flexible —you can run JavaScript, call APIs, and customize nearly anything.
So if you’re looking for a powerful, no-code (or low-code) automation platform that doesn’t box you in or bleed your wallet, n8n might be exactly what you need.
Self-Hosted (Free) Version
Here’s where n8n gets interesting: it’s completely free if you host it yourself.
Yep—free as in no monthly fee . You can install the community edition straight from GitHub and run it on your own server. There’s no limit on the number of workflows or executions. The only limit is how powerful your server is (and how tech-savvy you are).
But here’s the trade-off:
You’ll need to manage setup, security, backups, and updates yourself. That means spinning up a VPS (like a $5‑10/month DigitalOcean droplet), configuring Docker or a Node.js environment, and handling your own downtime.
Still, for developers or tinkerers who want full control without recurring costs, this route is a dream. You get the full power of n8n—on your terms.
n8n Cloud (Paid) Plans
If self-hosting sounds like too much of a headache, n8n Cloud has your back—but it’s not free.
Here’s the breakdown:
-
Starter Plan : Around $20–$24/month.
You get 2,500 workflow executions, 5 active workflows, and the peace of mind that everything’s hosted and maintained by n8n. It’s perfect for small setups or early projects. -
Pro Plan : Around $50–$60/month.
You jump to 10,000 executions and unlock more advanced features like execution logs, private workflows, and role-based access. Ideal for teams or more critical workflows. -
Enterprise Plan : Custom pricing.
This is for bigger orgs that need high performance, SLA guarantees, custom support, and serious scalability.
The best part? No need to manage servers or updates—it’s automation without the ops. But the flip side is you’re now dealing with usage limits and monthly costs.
What About a Free Cloud Tier?
Let’s rip the Band-Aid off: there is no free hosted/cloud plan for n8n.
That trips up a lot of people. You see “open-source” and assume there’s a free hosted option, like some other platforms offer. But n8n Cloud starts at paid-only tiers. No free trial, no freemium plan—just straight to Starter or above.
And honestly? It makes sense.
Running automation infrastructure 24/7 isn’t cheap. Even a few thousand executions can consume real server power and monitoring. On Reddit, even n8n’s team has chimed in, saying a free tier would just lead to abuse or unsustainable costs.
So if you want n8n without paying, your only route is going self-hosted.
How n8n Pricing Compares to Competitors
Let’s talk value—because pricing alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
Compared to automation tools like Zapier and Make (Integromat) , n8n flips the script.
Most competitors charge based on tasks or operations —so a single multi-step workflow can eat up 5+ tasks fast. Suddenly, your “free” plan is used up in a day, and you’re stuck upgrading just to keep things running.
n8n does it differently: it counts workflow executions . Whether it’s 2 steps or 20 inside that execution, it still counts as just one. That can mean serious savings if you run complex automations.
Plus, with self-hosted n8n, you can run unlimited executions for free (minus server costs). No one else in this space gives you that level of power for $0.
So if you’re a power user or automation nerd, n8n gives you more control—and more bang for your buck.
Pros & Cons Overview
Let’s keep it real—n8n isn’t perfect. But depending on how you roll, it might be perfect for you .
Self-Hosted (Free) Version:
Pros:
- Totally free (aside from server costs)
- Unlimited executions
- Full control + flexibility
- Great for devs, tinkerers, and budget-conscious teams
Cons:
- You manage everything—setup, hosting, updates, security
- Steeper learning curve
- No official support unless you pay
n8n Cloud (Paid) Version:
Pros:
- Hassle-free setup—just sign up and go
- Regular updates, backups, monitoring handled for you
- Access to support, logs, private workflows, and more
- Great for businesses that need stability + support
Cons:
- No free tier
- Usage limits based on executions
- Higher monthly costs compared to DIY
At the end of the day, it’s a tradeoff: control vs convenience. Choose what works best for your skills, budget, and goals.
Conclusion & Recommendation
So, is n8n really free? Yes—but only if you host it yourself.
If you’re comfortable with a bit of server wrangling, the self-hosted version is a ridiculously powerful, budget-friendly option. Unlimited automations. Zero vendor lock-in. Full control.
But if you’d rather skip the technical lift and just get going, n8n Cloud makes life easier—just know you’ll be paying for that convenience from day one.
Bottom line:
- Tech-savvy? Go self-hosted.
- Need simplicity and support? Go cloud.
Either way, you’re getting one of the most flexible automation tools out there.