n8n

About n8n

n8n is the software portfolio built around the n8n workflow automation platform. It combines visual workflow design, code, integrations, AI tooling, agent workflows, MCP connectivity and multiple deployment models. This page focuses on how the product family fits together. Corporate history and funding belong on the n8n company page, while exact hosted-plan limits and prices belong on the n8n Cloud product page.

How is the n8n software portfolio organized?

The core of the portfolio is the n8n workflow editor and execution engine. Teams build workflows from triggers, actions, conditions, transformations, webhooks, API calls and custom code. n8n currently promotes more than 400 preconfigured integrations in its GitHub profile and more than 1,000 apps and services across its integrations catalogue, so buyers should treat the integration count as a changing catalogue rather than a fixed specification.

Around that core are hosted and self-hosted deployment options, collaboration and governance features, source control, environments, insights, security controls and enterprise scaling capabilities. The same underlying workflow model is used for conventional automation and AI workflows, which is why n8n can mix deterministic steps with model calls and agent behavior in one process.

What is the difference between n8n Cloud and self-hosted n8n?

n8n Cloud is operated by n8n and is designed for teams that want a managed service. The self-hosted Community Edition lets users run the standard platform on their own infrastructure, while paid Business and Enterprise self-hosted plans add collaboration, governance and scale features.

The choice affects more than hosting location. Self-hosting can expose environment variables, custom infrastructure controls, queue settings, custom nodes and broader deployment flexibility, but the customer becomes responsible for upgrades, backups, availability and security hardening. n8n Cloud removes much of that infrastructure work, while some low-level settings are intentionally not configurable.

How does AI fit into n8n?

AI is integrated into the same workflow system rather than sold as a completely separate automation engine. n8n supports AI model nodes, agent workflows, retrieval patterns, evaluation tooling, Chat Hub and newer workflow-building assistance. The platform can combine model reasoning with normal conditions, code and application actions, which helps teams keep critical business logic outside the model when determinism matters.

In 2026, n8n expanded its AI workflow-building tools. Its native MCP server can let compatible AI clients create, update, validate and test workflows, and the company is previewing an AI Assistant inside n8n Cloud that can build and troubleshoot workflows from natural language. Newer n8n Agents are also in preview, so buyers should distinguish generally available workflow capabilities from preview agent experiences.

What role does MCP play in the n8n ecosystem?

n8n supports MCP in both directions. Workflows can be exposed to compatible AI clients, and n8n workflows or agents can connect to MCP-enabled tools. In April 2026, n8n expanded its native MCP server so external clients could create and update workflows as well as run them. In August 2026, n8n also announced easier OAuth-based connections to dozens of MCP servers from its node panel.

This makes n8n relevant to organizations that want AI clients to trigger governed business processes without rebuilding every integration inside the AI client itself. It also increases the importance of permission design because MCP can give agents access to actions that affect real business systems.

How does n8n pricing work across the portfolio?

n8n does not charge every workflow step as a separate task. Its current paid plans are primarily based on monthly workflow executions, where one complete workflow run counts as one execution regardless of the number of steps. The plans also differ by concurrency, projects, history, AI credits, administration, environments, source control, support and deployment model.

The Community Edition is available for self-hosting without a normal SaaS subscription. Starter and Pro are hosted n8n Cloud plans, Business is currently self-hosted, and Enterprise can be hosted by n8n or self-hosted. Exact prices and current execution allowances can change, so the current n8n pricing page should be checked before procurement.

Who is the n8n portfolio best suited for?

n8n is strongest for technical teams that want visual automation but still need code, APIs, custom logic and deployment control. It is especially useful when workflows cross many systems or when AI reasoning must be combined with deterministic business steps, approvals and error handling.

Teams that want a highly prescriptive, business-user-first automation service with minimal technical ownership may prefer a simpler SaaS product. Organizations choosing self-hosting should also have enough operational capacity to maintain the environment safely.

What should buyers compare before standardizing on n8n?

Buyers should compare deployment responsibility, execution volume, concurrency, governance, integration coverage, custom-node requirements, source control, environments, AI usage and support. For self-hosted deployments, infrastructure and upgrade ownership are part of the total cost even when software licensing is lower.

Alternatives such as Zapier and Make can be easier for teams prioritizing managed SaaS automation, while Microsoft Power Automate can fit organizations centered on Microsoft 365 and Azure. Developer-oriented orchestration frameworks may offer more code-level control but require more engineering effort. The right choice depends on whether n8n's combination of visual building, code and deployment flexibility solves a real operational need.