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Automationby n8n

n8n

Workflow automation and AI agent builder you can self-host or use in n8n Cloud, mixing visual nodes with JavaScript or Python code.

Free plan
Verified free plan
Paid from
Not yet confirmed
Known for
AI Agent node, n8n Assistant, Instance-level MCP
Your data
Workflow context sent to n8n Assistant is not used to train the AI services' models.
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What makes n8n different

Self-hostable workflow and AI agent builder for technical teams

  1. 01

    AI Agent node

    Workflow node where a chat model decides which connected tools to call to complete a task.

    Use it for: Agents that read data, call APIs and act inside a workflow.

    How to start

    1. Add an AI Agent node to your workflow
    2. Connect a chat model
    3. Connect at least one tool sub-node
    4. Run the workflow to test it
    No plan limit stateddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

  2. 02

    n8n Assistant

    Preview chat agent that plans, builds, tests and fixes n8n workflows from a plain-language request.

    Use it for: Drafting a workflow or debugging a failed execution by describing it.

    How to start

    1. Open n8n Assistant in a project you can access
    2. Describe what you want to automate
    3. Review the generated workflow and its credentials
    4. Test it, then publish
    On Community Edition, Starter, Pro, Businessdocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

  3. 03

    Instance-level MCP

    Built-in MCP server that lets clients such as Claude Desktop find, run and edit workflows you enable.

    Use it for: Calling your n8n workflows from an AI assistant.

    How to start

    1. Go to Settings > Instance-level MCP
    2. Select Enable MCP access
    3. Copy the Server URL from Connect a client
    4. Paste it into your MCP client
    No plan limit stateddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

  4. 04

    Community Edition (self-hosted)

    The free edition you run on your own server, with almost the full n8n feature set.

    Use it for: Keeping workflow data on your own infrastructure, including air-gapped setups.

    How to start

    1. Install Docker
    2. Run the install script: curl -fsSL https://get.n8n.io | sh
    3. Open the editor at http://localhost:5678
    On Community Editiondocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

Limits

How much you can really use it, in the official pages' own words. Limits change often; check the date on each answer.

Free plan limitsWhat the free plan stops you doing: minutes, credits, meetings or features.
  • Free Community edition must be self-hosted and lacks features such as custom variables, environments, external secrets and log streaming.docs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

    Community Edition plan

Privacy and your data

What happens to what you type, upload or make, from the provider's privacy and terms pages. Business plans often differ; the plan is named under each answer.

Used to train AIWhether what you type, upload or record is used to train or improve the provider's models by default.
  • Workflow context sent to n8n Assistant is not used to train the AI services' models.docs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

Cost

Free planA free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately.
  • Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

    Community Edition plan

Plans

All features8 questions, each with its source and the date we checked it

Input and output

Build by describing itYou describe the automation in words and it builds the workflow.
  • Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

    Plans: Community Edition, Starter, Pro, Business

Workflow

PlatformsWhere the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension.
  • Webdocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
MCPSupports the Model Context Protocol, a standard way to connect tools and data sources.
  • Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

    Plan not specified

Apps it connectsHow many apps it connects to, as the official pages state.
  • Over 500 integrationsn8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
AI stepsA step in a workflow can call an AI model, for example to summarise or sort.
  • Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

    Plan not specified

AI agentsAgents that decide their next steps themselves, within limits you set.
  • Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

    Plan not specified

Requirements

Open sourceThe tool's own code is published under an open-source licence.
  • Not supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

    Plan not specified

Run on your own serverYou can install it and run it on your own server.
  • Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11

    Plan not specified

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