n8n pricing starts at $24/month for the basic cloud plan but costs can climb quickly depending on executions and team size. If you’re considering n8n to cut costs or run workflows with more control, it’s worth understanding how execution-based pricing and self-hosting tradeoffs actually shake out.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What n8n is and why it’s used
- A breakdown of its pricing across deployment types
- When n8n makes sense
- How it compares to tools like Zapier, Make, and Lindy
- Ideal users and use cases of n8n
Let’s first define n8n.
What is n8n?
n8n is an open-source automation platform that connects apps and automates workflows without writing full code. It's flexible and developer-friendly. You can use it to build anything from lead enrichment flows to internal ops automations.
Most developers choose n8n because they can self-host or use the cloud version.
Core features
n8n includes features built for teams who need more control than drag-and-drop automation offers. These are:
- Visual workflow builder: Use a node-based editor to connect apps, define logic, and control how data flows.
- Built-in logic handling: Add conditionals, loops, and branching without writing code.
- Over 350 native integrations: Includes tools like Slack, Airtable, Notion, GitHub, and CRMs.
- Custom API and function nodes: Call third-party APIs or write JavaScript when you need flexibility.
- Extensibility via plugins: Build your own nodes or modules to extend core functionality.
Together, these features make n8n a strong fit for teams who need more than surface-level automations and want granular control over each step.
Ideal users
n8n works best for users who are comfortable designing flows and have the technical resources to execute them. It’s ideal for:
- Developers building backend automations, internal tools, or custom integrations.
- Ops teams looking to automate across SaaS tools without handing everything off to engineering.
- Technical founders who need infrastructure-level control without paying for multiple SaaS subscriptions.
If your team already runs scripts, self-hosts tools, or thinks in APIs, n8n fits your setup. Let’s see why it's popular among teams.
Why teams choose n8n
Most automation tools focus on either usability or advanced logic. n8n tries to balance both. Developers can use its advanced features, and the interface remains simple for new users. Here’s why technical teams prefer it:
Full control via self-hosting
For teams that care about data privacy or uptime, the ability to deploy a n8n self-hosted instance is a big deal. You manage your infrastructure, run as many executions as you want, and avoid vendor lock-in.
Rich customization options
n8n gives you JS function nodes, custom error handling, and a webhook system that lets you trigger flows from external apps in real time. You can connect internal APIs, transform data mid-flow, or handle edge cases.
Open source model
The n8n team licenses its open-source version, available on GitHub. You can audit the codebase, modify it, or even contribute back. For teams fed up with rigid SaaS pricing or limitations, this freedom is refreshing.
Next, we see the ideal users of n8n.
Who n8n is best for
n8n is for teams who have the technical resources and time to execute backend logic, self-host, and manage their data. They can be:
Technical founders and indie hackers
If you’re building your internal tooling or trying to automate backend ops without piling on SaaS fees, n8n gives you control without forcing you into someone else’s UI constraints.
Internal ops teams with light DevOps help
You don’t need a full developer team to run n8n cloud or self-host it, but having someone who can manage a server or tweak an environment variable helps. These teams often use n8n to automate repetitive CRM, finance, or notification workflows.
Teams building low-cost backend automations
n8n is best for automating repeatable workflows that don’t need dedicated code or paid tools, like syncing databases or enriching leads.
Let’s break down n8n’s pricing next.
n8n pricing plans (2025 breakdown)
n8n offers both hosted and self-hosted options. The main cost difference depends on how much infrastructure you manage and how many executions you’ll run each month. These are the plans:
Self-hosted plan
- Price: Free
- What’s included:
- Unlimited workflows and executions
- Access to all core features
- Run it locally or via Docker, CLI, or cloud server
- Community support
- Pros:
- Full flexibility
- No feature gating
- Ideal for developers or teams with infrastructure support
- Cons:
- You manage hosting, backups, updates
- No official support or SLA
Starter plan
- Price: $24/month, billed monthly
- What’s included:
- 2,500 workflow executions/month
- Managed hosting on n8n infrastructure
- Basic support on forum
- Pros:
- No setup required
- Quick start for solo users or small teams
- Cons:
- 5-minute executive time limit
- Low execution limit for production workflows
- No support or role-based permissions
Pro plan
- Price: Starts at $60/month, billed monthly
- What’s included:
- 10,000 executions
- Role-based access control
- Insights dashboard
- Pros:
- Scales with teams
- Offers compliance and team visibility
- Cons:
- Different pricing for different execution limits
- Still lacks advanced analytics
Enterprise plan
- Price: Custom pricing
- What’s included:
- Unlimited executions
- Advanced developer tools
- Audit logs, SSO, and team management
- Email and dedicated SLA support
- Pros:
- Ideal for teams with developer resources
- Better support
- Cons:
- Pricing can be high
- Lacks the number of integrations when compared to Lindy or Zapier
Is n8n worth it?
n8n is worth the price if you’re a developer or technical team that wants long-term flexibility without recurring SaaS fees, especially the n8n self-hosted version. You get full control, a growing ecosystem, and a strong open-source community behind it.
n8n cloud pricing can confuse people. The $24/month plan includes only 2,500 executions. This doesn’t mean you can run 2,500 workflows. n8n treats each step in your workflow as a separate execution. So if your flow has five steps and runs once, that’s five executions gone.
Users on Reddit say that it’s too pricey for what it offers. It’s most cost-effective when you’re self-hosting or running predictable volumes. But if your workflows scale quickly or require external hosting, you may hit limits faster than expected.
When n8n might not be a fit
Users who want a simple, no-code tool may find n8n overly technical. Here are a few cases where it might not be the best option:
- You need built-in dashboards or analytics: n8n logs executions and errors, but there’s no native reporting UI. If visibility into workflows is critical, you’ll need to build that layer yourself or rely on third-party tools.
- You don’t have technical resources: Even on n8n cloud, workflows sometimes break without clear reasons. Debugging may involve digging through execution logs or writing custom nodes. If your team prefers plug-and-play tools, it can be a blocker.
- You need enterprise-grade onboarding and support: n8n does offer a Business plan with support for SLAs, but it still lacks things like hands-on onboarding, live chat, or deep integrations with enterprise tools. Relevance AI offers a more guided experience for teams needing built-in AI orchestration and support.
So, let’s explore n8n alternatives.
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Top alternatives to n8n
Users look for n8n alternatives as it can feel too technical and not match their workflows. Some prioritize ease of use, while others go deeper into AI or developer-first setups. Here’s a quick comparison of the top options:
Next, we compare n8n with Lindy.
Lindy vs n8n
n8n is often compared with no-code tools like Lindy. While both help automate tasks, they’re built for different types of users and use cases. Here's how we think about when to use each one:
Use Lindy if:
- You want to automate without self-hosting or writing custom scripts
- Your workflows involve AI logic like summarizing emails, qualifying leads, and scheduling calls
- You want to set up voice, Slack, CRM, and email actions with a single AI agent
Use n8n if:
- You want complete control over deployment, hosting, and data
- Your team is comfortable setting up and debugging flows using API calls or JavaScript nodes
- You need to run backend automations that touch internal systems or databases
In some cases, you might even use both.
For example: You could use a Lindy agent to qualify leads and handle email follow-ups. Then, once it marks a lead as sales-ready, send it to n8n to trigger a backend update, like adding to a database or provisioning a user account. Those types of infrastructure tasks fall outside Lindy’s scope.
How Lindy helps you get better workflow ROI
Lindy helps improve workflow ROI by eliminating manual setup and automating full task cycles.
One of the biggest trade-offs with n8n is setup time. Whether you're self-hosting or paying for n8n cloud, you'll still spend time wiring up steps, managing credentials, or debugging execution errors.
Lindy removes setup complexity by letting AI agents handle tasks from start to finish. These agents can work on tasks like calling leads, summarizing meetings, updating your CRM, or even sending follow-ups over Slack.
Some common friction points n8n users run into:
- Setting up webhook flows across tools like Calendly, Notion, and HubSpot
- Maintaining flows that break silently after a config change
- Lack of AI-native workflows like scoring leads, extracting context from calls
Lindy solves for this with:
- Customizable AI agents for ops, sales, and support
- 7,000+ integrations with Slack, Gmail, HubSpot, Notion, and more
- Ready-to-use templates for everyday workflows
- Credit-based model that scales without the complexity of step-counting
Lindy simplifies automation when you don’t need full backend control.
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Let Lindy be your AI automation software
Lindy can be your ideal automation alternative to n8n. It allows you to create customizable AI agents without writing code or creating complex setups. These agents help you automate your everyday processes like marketing, content, lead outreach, and more.
Here’s how Lindy helps teams work faster:
- More than just sales training: Lindy’s versatility goes way beyond sales training. From meeting note-taking and website chatbots for customer support to content creation and lead generation, Lindy agents cover a range of business needs that streamline operations across your organization.
- Personalized coaching that actually works: Lindy’s Meeting Coach gives real-time tips on tone and objection handling during live calls. Your reps get real-time feedback tailored to their unique skills and areas of growth.
- Human-like role-playing: Lindy’s role-plays adjust based on how each rep responds, building confidence for handling even the trickiest sales situations.
- Integrates with major apps: Lindy connects with tools like Airtable and Salesforce without manual setup. You can configure it to keep your training data and sales insights organized and accessible within your apps.
- Lead generation that works with you: With Lindy’s Lead Generator, find and qualify leads in minutes. It delivers curated lead lists, updates your CRM, and even handles follow-ups, so your team can focus on building relationships, not spreadsheets.
- Email outreach handled start-to-finish: Lindy’s Lead Outreacher crafts personalized outreach and manages replies autonomously. Your team will look like communication pros — without spending long nights drafting emails.
- Affordability: Build your first few automations with Lindy’s free version and get up to 400 tasks. With the Pro plan, you can automate up to 5,000 tasks, which offers much more value than Lindy’s competitors.
Frequently asked questions
How much does n8n cost?
n8n offers a free self-hosted version, and n8n cloud plans start at $24/month, billed monthly. Pricing varies based on the number of executions.
Which n8n plan is best for developers?
The n8n self-hosted Community Edition is best for developers. It offers unlimited executions, full control, and no feature restrictions.
Does n8n offer a free trial?
Yes, n8n offers a 14-day free trial for its cloud plans. The n8n open-source self-hosted version is free to use indefinitely.
How does n8n compare to Lindy?
n8n gives you control and customization. Lindy focuses on ease of use, customizable AI agents, and fast setup for teams that don’t want to manage infrastructure.
Does n8n work with Airtable / Notion / Zapier?
Yes, n8n supports integrations with Airtable and Notion. You can also connect it to Zapier using webhooks or APIs.
Can you use n8n for AI automations?
Yes, you can use n8n for AI automations with its AI capabilities. You can add an AI agent within your workflows that acts based on the way you configure it.
Is n8n good for agencies?
Yes, n8n is good for agencies with technical resources. If your team has no developer support, it may require too much overhead.
Can I cancel n8n Cloud anytime?
Yes, you can cancel n8n cloud plans any time. There are no long-term commitments.
Does n8n support analytics?
n8n supports analytics and includes basic execution logs. It does not offer built-in dashboards or advanced analytics.
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