n8n is a source-available workflow-automation tool, first noted in 2019, built for automation you can self-host or run in the cloud — wiring apps and logic together with the option of full source access. Its best fit is technical teams who want control and self-hosting. We have not completed a hands-on test, so as of June 2026 we publish no rating or pricing until verified.
What is n8n best for?
n8n is a workflow-automation tool in the AI agents and automation category, competing with platforms like Make, but with a distinctive angle: it is source-available and can be self-hosted as well as run on n8n's cloud. That dual option is the headline. It suits technical teams and developers who want to keep automation in their own infrastructure for control or data-residency reasons, while still having a managed cloud option when convenient.
Against our evaluation framework, n8n's task fit is strongest where source access, self-hosting or extensibility matter — you can run it on your own servers and extend it with custom nodes. The trade-off is that self-hosting requires technical capacity to deploy and maintain. We do not publish a connector list or feature claims we have not verified hands-on, so confirm the current nodes, AI features and hosting options on n8n.io before building on it.
Is n8n durable, and is your data safe?
Durability is one of our seven evaluation factors, and n8n shows a strong signal here: the company raised a $2.5B Series C in October 2025, which points to momentum and runway. We cite that purely as a durability indicator, not a quality verdict — funding tells you a vendor is well-resourced, not that the product fits your use case. Weigh it alongside your own trial.
On data handling, the self-hosting option is itself a meaningful control: running n8n on your own infrastructure means sensitive data need not leave your environment, which can matter for compliance. n8n carries no certifications in our records as of June 2026, so for the cloud option, verify the current data and compliance terms directly. Transparency of claims means confirming what is retained in writing — and self-hosting can sidestep some of that concern entirely if you have the capacity to run it.
What does n8n cost and does it have an affiliate program?
We publish no pricing until we verify it on the vendor's own page, and we have not completed a paid hands-on test. The self-hosted edition is source-available and can be run yourself, while the cloud service uses paid subscription tiers at the time of writing — but the numbers change, so check n8n.io for current plans. Total cost of ownership, one of our seven factors, includes hosting and maintenance effort if you self-host, not just a subscription line.
n8n runs an affiliate program through PartnerStack, but note it applies to the cloud paid plans only — self-hosted, source-available use is not a commissionable path. We disclose that distinction plainly because it is exactly the kind of detail that matters: AI Tool Atlas may earn a commission on cloud signups via our links, and that never changes our null-until-verified rule. Choose self-hosted or cloud on the merits, not the commission.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Source-available with both self-hosting and cloud options — strong fit for technical teams that want control.
- Self-hosting can keep sensitive data inside your own infrastructure.
- Strong durability signal: $2.5B Series C in October 2025 points to momentum and runway.
Cons
- We have not completed a hands-on test, so we publish no rating or pricing yet.
- Self-hosting requires technical capacity to deploy and maintain, adding to total cost of ownership.
- The affiliate program covers cloud paid plans only — self-hosted use is not a commissionable path, and we disclose that.
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n free?
The self-hosted edition of n8n is source-available and can be run yourself, while the managed cloud uses paid subscription tiers. We publish no pricing until we verify it on the vendor's own page, so check n8n.io for the current self-hosted licence terms and cloud plans as of June 2026.
Can you self-host n8n?
Yes. n8n is source-available and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure, as well as run on its cloud service. Self-hosting can keep sensitive data in your environment, but requires technical capacity to deploy and maintain. Confirm the current self-hosted licence terms on n8n.io before relying on it.
Does n8n have an affiliate program?
Yes, through PartnerStack — but it covers the cloud paid plans only, not self-hosted source-available use. AI Tool Atlas may earn a commission on cloud signups via our links, and we disclose that distinction plainly. It never changes our null-until-verified policy on ratings and pricing.