n8n Pricing in 2026: What Every Plan Actually Costs

If you are trying to figure out how much n8n costs, you are not alone. The pricing page can feel a bit confusing because n8n offers both a free self-hosted option and multiple cloud tiers. I have been using n8n daily for over a year now — running it both self-hosted and on n8n Cloud — and I want to give you a straightforward breakdown of what you will actually pay.

Here is the short version: n8n has a completely free self-hosted community edition with no limits on workflows or executions. If you want managed hosting through n8n Cloud, plans start at around 24 euros per month. And honestly, for what you get, n8n is one of the most affordable automation platforms on the market right now.

Let me walk you through every plan, what counts as an execution, how self-hosting works, and how n8n pricing stacks up against Zapier and Make.

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n8n Pricing Plans at a Glance

Here is a quick overview of every n8n plan available in 2026. Note that prices can change, so I always recommend checking the current pricing on n8n’s site before making a decision.

Plan	Price	Executions	Active Workflows	Best For
Community	Free (self-hosted)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Technical users, developers, privacy-focused teams
Starter	~24 euros/month	2,500/month	Unlimited	Solo users, freelancers, small projects
Pro	~60 euros/month	10,000/month	Unlimited	Growing teams, power users
Enterprise	Custom pricing	Custom	Unlimited	Large organizations, compliance needs

A few things worth noting:

• All cloud plans now include unlimited active workflows. Earlier in 2025, lower tiers had caps (5 on Starter, 15 on Pro). That restriction is gone. You only pay based on executions.
• Annual billing saves you roughly 17 percent compared to monthly.
• There is a Startup Program that gives 50 percent off the Business plan if your company has fewer than 20 employees. Worth looking into if you qualify.
• Every cloud plan comes with a free trial so you can test things before committing.

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What Counts as an Execution?

This is one of the most important things to understand about n8n pricing, and it is actually one of n8n’s biggest advantages.

One execution = one complete workflow run, regardless of how many nodes (steps) are in the workflow.

That means if you build a workflow with 15 nodes — pulling data from an API, filtering it, transforming it, sending it to a spreadsheet, then posting a Slack notification — that entire run counts as a single execution.

Compare that to Make, which counts every single operation at every node. That same 15-node workflow on Make would eat up 15 operations from your quota. On Zapier, multi-step zaps burn through task counts fast because every action is a separate task.

Here is a concrete example:

• A 10-step workflow that runs 100 times per month:
• n8n: 100 executions
• Make: 1,000 operations
• Zapier: 1,000 tasks (roughly)

This execution-based model is why n8n can be dramatically cheaper at scale. If you build complex workflows with many steps, n8n’s pricing model works heavily in your favor.

One thing to keep in mind: sub-workflows (when one workflow triggers another) count as separate executions. So if Workflow A calls Workflow B, that is two executions. Plan your architecture accordingly.

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Self-Hosted n8n: The Free Option

The community edition is n8n’s fully open-source, self-hosted version. You download it, run it on your own server, and you pay n8n absolutely nothing. No execution limits. No workflow limits. No artificial feature gates.

This is what I started with, and I still run self-hosted instances for certain projects.

How to set it up

The most common approach is Docker. If you have a VPS (a virtual private server from providers like Hetzner, DigitalOcean, or Contabo), you can have n8n running in about 15 minutes:

1. Spin up a VPS — a $5 to $10 per month instance is enough for most users.
2. Install Docker.
3. Pull the n8n Docker image and run it with a single command.
4. Point a domain at your server and set up SSL with a reverse proxy.

You can also install n8n directly via npm if you prefer, though Docker is cleaner for production use.

What you actually pay for self-hosting

n8n itself is free, but you still need infrastructure:

Cost	Typical Range
VPS / server	$5 – $20/month
Domain name	$10 – $15/year
Managed hosting (PikaPods, Railway, etc.)	$3 – $7/month
Your time for maintenance	Variable

For a simple setup running a few dozen workflows, a $5 per month VPS handles it fine. I run hundreds of executions daily on a $10 server without any issues.

Who should self-host?

If you are comfortable with the command line, know what Docker is, and do not mind handling updates and occasional troubleshooting, self-hosting is a no-brainer. You get unlimited everything for the price of a cheap server.

If terms like “reverse proxy” and “Docker compose” make you uneasy, go with n8n Cloud. The time you save on setup and maintenance is worth the subscription.

For a deeper look at how self-hosting compares, check out my full n8n review.

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n8n Cloud vs Self-Hosted: A Direct Comparison

This is the decision most people get stuck on. Here is how they compare side by side:

Factor	n8n Cloud	Self-Hosted (Community)
Setup time	5 minutes	30-60 minutes
Monthly cost	24 – 60+ euros/month	$5 – $20/month (server only)
Execution limits	Plan-dependent (2,500 – 10,000+)	Unlimited
Workflow limits	Unlimited	Unlimited
Updates	Automatic	Manual (you update when ready)
Uptime / reliability	Managed by n8n team, SLA on higher plans	Your responsibility
Data control	n8n’s servers (EU-hosted)	100% on your infrastructure
Scaling	Handled for you	You manage scaling
Backups	Included	You set up backups
Support	Email / priority support on Pro+	Community forum only
SSL / security	Managed	You configure it

My recommendation

For most people just getting started, start with n8n Cloud’s free trial. It lets you test everything without worrying about infrastructure. Once you know n8n is the right tool for you, then decide: stay on Cloud for convenience, or switch to self-hosted to save money and remove execution limits.

If you are already technical and want the lowest possible cost with maximum control, go straight to self-hosting. You will never hit an execution cap, and your monthly cost stays under $10.

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n8n Cost Compared to Zapier and Make

This is where n8n really stands out. Let me show you what roughly the same automation workload costs across the three major platforms.

Monthly cost at different scales

Monthly Volume	n8n Cloud	n8n Self-Hosted	Zapier	Make
500 runs/month	~24 euros (Starter)	~$5 (server)	~$30 (Starter)	~$10 (Core)
2,500 runs/month	~24 euros (Starter)	~$5 (server)	~$75+ (Professional)	~$18 (Core)
10,000 runs/month	~60 euros (Pro)	~$10 (server)	~$250+ (Professional)	~$55+ (Pro)
50,000 runs/month	Custom / Enterprise	~$15 (server)	$500+ (Team/Company)	$170+ (Teams)

Important context for this table: n8n counts executions per workflow run, while Zapier and Make count per step/operation. A 5-step workflow running 2,500 times means 2,500 executions on n8n but 12,500 tasks on Zapier or operations on Make. The real-world cost difference is even bigger than this table suggests.

At higher volumes, n8n self-hosted is in a completely different league. You are paying a flat $10 to $15 per month for a server regardless of whether you run 10,000 or 100,000 executions. Try doing that on Zapier.

For a detailed feature comparison beyond pricing, read my n8n vs Zapier breakdown and n8n vs Make comparison.

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Is n8n Worth the Cost?

Let me give you my honest take after using n8n daily across multiple projects.

The ROI math

Think about it this way. If you are doing any kind of manual, repetitive work — copying data between tools, sending follow-up emails, updating spreadsheets, syncing CRM records — and n8n saves you even five hours per month, the math is obvious.

At a modest $50 per hour value for your time:

• 5 hours saved per month = $250 in value
• n8n Cloud Pro cost = ~$65 per month
• n8n Self-Hosted cost = ~$10 per month

That is a 4x to 25x return depending on which option you choose. And most people I talk to save way more than five hours once their workflows are dialed in. I personally save closer to 15 to 20 hours per month, which makes the ROI almost absurd.

Where n8n gives you the best value

• Complex, multi-step workflows. The execution-based pricing means you are not penalized for building sophisticated automations. On Zapier, adding steps gets expensive fast.
• High-volume automations. If you run thousands of executions per month, n8n (especially self-hosted) is dramatically cheaper than any competitor.
• Technical flexibility. The Code node lets you write custom JavaScript or Python inside your workflows. You cannot do this on Zapier at all, and it is limited on Make.
• Self-hosting option. No other major automation platform gives you a fully featured free version you can run on your own hardware.

Where n8n might not be the best fit

• If you want a pure no-code, drag-and-drop experience with zero learning curve, Zapier is simpler (but you will pay for that simplicity).
• If you need a massive library of pre-built templates and one-click integrations, Zapier has the biggest ecosystem.
• If you only run a handful of simple, two-step automations, the cost difference between platforms is negligible and Zapier’s ease of use might win.

For everyone else — freelancers, startups, developers, ops teams, anyone building real automations — n8n offers the best combination of power and price.

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How to Get Started for Free

You have two paths to try n8n without spending anything:

Option 1: Self-hosted Community Edition

1. Get a VPS from any provider (Hetzner and DigitalOcean both have $5/month options).
2. Install Docker on the server.
3. Run the n8n Docker container.
4. Start building workflows — no limits, no time restrictions, free forever.

Option 2: n8n Cloud Free Trial

1. Sign up for n8n Cloud — no credit card required to start.
2. Pick a plan to trial.
3. Build and test your workflows with full access to all features.
4. Decide before the trial ends whether Cloud is right for you.

I recommend Option 2 if you want to test the waters quickly. You can always move to self-hosted later if you want to cut costs.

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Pricing Tips: How to Optimize Your n8n Costs

After running n8n across multiple setups, here are the lessons I have learned about keeping costs down:

1. Start with the Community Edition

If you have any technical ability at all, start here. Run it for free, learn the platform, and build your first workflows without a subscription. You can always upgrade to Cloud later.

2. Use the Starter plan strategically

2,500 executions per month is more than it sounds, especially since n8n counts per workflow run, not per node. For a solo freelancer with 10 to 15 workflows running a few times a day, the Starter plan is usually enough.

3. Optimize execution counts

• Use the Cron or Schedule Trigger node wisely. Do not poll every minute if every 15 minutes is fine.
• Combine related tasks into a single workflow instead of splitting them across multiple workflows.
• Use If and Switch nodes to avoid unnecessary processing early in the workflow.
• Consider using the Merge node to batch operations instead of running separate workflows.

4. Go annual if you are committed

The 17 percent discount on annual billing adds up. On the Pro plan, that saves you roughly 120 euros per year.

5. Check the Startup Program

If your company has fewer than 20 employees, you might qualify for 50 percent off the Business plan. That is significant savings if you need higher execution volumes and enterprise features.

6. Use Cloud for production, self-hosted for development

A hybrid approach works well: develop and test on a free self-hosted instance, then deploy critical production workflows to n8n Cloud for reliability and managed uptime.

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Frequently Asked Questions About n8n Pricing

Is n8n really free?

Yes, the self-hosted Community Edition is genuinely free and open-source. You can run unlimited workflows and executions without paying n8n anything. Your only cost is the server you run it on, which can be as low as $5 per month. The cloud-hosted version has paid plans starting at around 24 euros per month.

How much does n8n Cloud cost per month?

As of 2026, n8n Cloud starts at approximately 24 euros per month for the Starter plan (2,500 executions) and goes up to around 60 euros per month for the Pro plan (10,000 executions). Enterprise pricing is custom. All plans now include unlimited active workflows. Check the latest prices here.

Is n8n cheaper than Zapier?

In almost every scenario, yes. n8n is significantly cheaper than Zapier, especially for complex workflows. n8n counts one execution per workflow run regardless of how many steps are involved. Zapier charges per task (per step), so a 10-step workflow costs 10 times more on Zapier. At scale, n8n can be 5 to 10 times cheaper. I wrote a detailed n8n vs Zapier comparison if you want the full picture.

Can I switch from n8n Cloud to self-hosted?

Yes. You can export your workflows from n8n Cloud as JSON files and import them into a self-hosted instance. The workflows are fully compatible. Credentials will need to be re-entered on the new instance for security reasons, but the workflow logic transfers cleanly.

What happens if I exceed my execution limit on n8n Cloud?

If you go over your monthly execution limit, your workflows will not stop immediately. n8n typically allows some overage and will notify you. If it happens consistently, you will need to upgrade to a higher plan. This is another reason I like having a self-hosted instance as a backup — no caps to worry about.

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Bottom Line

n8n gives you more automation power per dollar than any other platform I have used. The free self-hosted option is unmatched, the cloud pricing is fair, and the execution-based billing model means complex workflows do not punish your wallet.

If you are on the fence, start a free trial on n8n Cloud and build a few workflows. You will see pretty quickly whether it fits your needs.

And if you want to go deeper on whether n8n is right for you beyond pricing, read my full n8n review where I cover features, UX, integrations, and everything else.