n8n pricing is genuinely simple once you see the split: it's free if you self-host, and billed per workflow execution if you let n8n host it for you. The self-hosted Community edition runs on your own server with unlimited executions and no per-workflow fees. Cloud plans, billed annually, are Starter €20/mo (2,500 executions), Pro €50/mo (10,000), and Business €667/mo (40,000). Below is every plan, what each unlocks, and how to choose the cheapest route for your volume.
The short answer
If you're technical enough to run a Docker container, self-hosted n8n is free and effectively unlimited — that's the best deal in automation. If you'd rather not manage infrastructure, n8n Cloud starts at €20/month and charges per execution (a full workflow run) rather than per step, which keeps it far cheaper than Zapier's per-task model. The only awkward spot is the jump from Pro (€50) to Business (€667); if you outgrow Pro's 10,000 executions, self-hosting is usually the smarter next step than paying for Business.
Every n8n plan
Cloud prices below are billed annually (n8n's default). Monthly billing runs about 17% higher — roughly €24 for Starter and €60 for Pro.
| Plan | Price | Executions | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community (self-hosted) | Free | Unlimited | All core nodes, AI agents, you supply the server |
| Starter | €20/mo | 2,500/mo | 1 shared project, 5 concurrent, unlimited users, 2,300 AI credits/mo, forum support |
| Pro | €50/mo | 10,000/mo | 3 shared projects, 20 concurrent, admin roles, 7-day insights, up to 13,700 AI credits, global variables |
| Business | €667/mo | 40,000/mo | 6 shared projects, SSO/SAML/LDAP, Git version control, 30-day insights, environments (self-hosted) |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Unlimited projects, 200+ concurrent, 365-day insights, log streaming, dedicated support with SLA |
Every cloud plan includes unlimited users and unlimited active workflows, plus the full integration catalog — you're paying for execution volume and advanced features, not seats. That's a meaningfully different model from per-seat SaaS. For the feature deep dive, see our n8n review.
Free self-hosting: the real value story
The Community edition is n8n's headline advantage, and it's worth understanding exactly how good the deal is. Because n8n is source-available and fair-code, you can run it yourself on any infrastructure — a $5/month VPS, a home server, a Kubernetes cluster — with no execution limits, no per-workflow fees, and access to all core features including AI agent nodes.
That reframes the whole pricing conversation. If your workflows are high-volume, self-hosting caps your cost at the price of the server regardless of how many times they run, while cloud tools keep metering you. The trade-off is that you own the ops: updates, backups, uptime, and scaling are on you. For a solo developer or a technical team that's a fair deal; for a non-technical team that just wants it to work, the managed cloud plans exist precisely so you don't have to think about any of that.
How executions are counted
This is the detail that makes n8n cheap, so it's worth spelling out. n8n bills per workflow execution, not per step or per task. A single workflow that pulls a lead, enriches it, updates your CRM, posts to Slack, and sends an email counts as one execution — even though it touched five services.
Compare that to Zapier, where each of those five steps would burn a task, so one run costs five tasks. On volume, the difference compounds fast: a step-heavy automation that runs thousands of times a month is dramatically cheaper on n8n's model. The cloud plans add a separate monthly AI-credit allowance (2,300 on Starter, up to 13,700 on Pro) for the built-in AI features, so heavy AI usage draws on that pool alongside your executions.
Discounts & the startup plan
Two ways to pay less. First, annual billing saves 17% across every cloud tier versus paying monthly — worth it if you're committed. Second, n8n runs a startup discount: 50% off the Business plan for companies with fewer than 20 employees, unlocking full Business features (40,000 executions, SSO, Git version control) at roughly half the list price for a year while you still qualify. If you're an early-stage team that needs Business-tier controls, apply before paying full price.
Is n8n worth it?
Yes — arguably the best value in the category, with a clear "which route" answer depending on who you are.
Self-host (free) if you're technical and can run a container. Unlimited executions for the cost of a cheap server is unbeatable, and you keep full control of your data.
Starter (€20/mo) if you want managed hosting for modest volume — 2,500 executions covers a lot of real automations given that each run counts once regardless of steps.
Pro (€50/mo) if you need more volume, team roles, or Git-lite features; 10,000 executions and up to 13,700 AI credits suit a small team leaning on AI workflows.
Business (€667/mo) only if you specifically need SSO/SAML, Git version control, and enterprise controls in a managed setup — otherwise self-hosting delivers the same execution headroom for far less. Compare the full field in n8n vs Make and n8n alternatives, or see where it ranks in best AI automation tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does n8n cost in 2026?
n8n's self-hosted Community edition is free with unlimited executions. Cloud plans, billed annually, are Starter at €20/month (2,500 executions), Pro at €50/month (10,000 executions), and Business at €667/month (40,000 executions). Monthly billing is about 17% higher, and Enterprise is custom-priced.
Is n8n really free?
Yes, if you self-host. The Community edition is source-available and free with unlimited executions and no per-workflow fees — you only pay for your own server. n8n Cloud, the managed version, is paid and no longer offers a permanent free tier.
How are n8n executions counted?
Per workflow run, not per step. A workflow that touches ten apps counts as a single execution, which keeps costs far lower than Zapier's per-task billing. Self-hosted Community has no execution limit at all.
What's the difference between Starter and Pro?
Pro (€50/mo) gives 10,000 executions versus Starter's 2,500, plus more concurrency (20 vs 5), admin roles, 7 days of insights, global variables, and a larger AI-credit allowance (up to 13,700 vs 2,300). Choose Pro when you outgrow Starter's volume or need team roles and AI headroom.
Why is Business so much more than Pro?
Business (€667/mo) is built for organizations needing SSO/SAML/LDAP, Git version control, multiple environments, and 30-day insights, not just more executions. If you only need volume, self-hosting is far cheaper. Pay for Business specifically when you need its enterprise controls in a managed setup.
Does n8n offer a startup discount?
Yes. Companies with fewer than 20 employees can get 50% off the Business plan, unlocking full Business features at roughly half list price for a year while they still qualify. Annual billing also saves 17% across all cloud tiers.
Is n8n cheaper than Zapier?
Almost always, especially at scale. n8n bills per workflow execution rather than per task, so a step-heavy automation costs a fraction of what it would on Zapier. Self-hosted, it's free with unlimited executions. Zapier only wins on breadth of integrations and ease of setup, not price.