n8n
A Tier · 8.0/10
Open-source workflow automation with AI nodes, self-hostable and way cheaper than Zapier for complex flows
Score Breakdown
The Good and the Bad
What we like
- +Self-hosted option is genuinely free with unlimited everything -- hard to beat that value
- +400+ integrations and AI nodes for LLMs, vector databases, and agent workflows
- +Pricing is per-execution, not per-step -- complex 50-node workflows cost the same as simple ones
- +Active open-source community with thousands of shared workflow templates
- +You own your data and can inspect every line of code running your automations
What could be better
- −Steeper learning curve than Zapier or Make -- not beginner-friendly
- −Self-hosting requires server management skills and ongoing maintenance
- −Error messages can be vague, making debugging frustrating without digging into node logs
- −SSO and advanced permissions locked behind the $800/mo Business plan
- −Visual canvas gets unwieldy with highly complex branching logic or recursive flows
Pricing
Community (Self-Hosted)
- ✓Unlimited executions
- ✓Unlimited workflows
- ✓All integrations
- ✓Full source code access
Starter (Cloud)
- ✓2,500 executions/month
- ✓Unlimited workflows & users
- ✓All integrations
Pro (Cloud)
- ✓10,000 executions/month
- ✓Unlimited workflows & users
- ✓All integrations
- ✓Debug executions
Business (Cloud)
- ✓50,000 executions/month
- ✓SSO & advanced permissions
- ✓Priority support
Known Issues
- Critical security vulnerabilities (CVE-2026-27577, CVSS 9.4) discovered in workflow expression evaluation -- patch immediately if self-hostingSource: Hacker News, CISA advisory · 2026-03
- Cloud version can slow down with very large datasets; self-hosting gives more control over performanceSource: G2 reviews · 2026-01
- Credential connections to some services (like Firestore) expire silently, causing workflows to fail without clear errorsSource: n8n Community forum · 2025-11
Best for
Technical users and teams who want powerful automation without per-step pricing. Especially strong if you can self-host and want AI agent workflows.
Not for
Non-technical users who want drag-and-drop simplicity. If you've never touched a server or API, start with Zapier and graduate to n8n later.
Our Verdict
n8n is the best value in workflow automation, full stop. The self-hosted version is free with no execution limits, and even the cloud plans are cheaper than Zapier for complex workflows. The trade-off is complexity -- it takes longer to learn and self-hosting means you're responsible for security patches (which matter, given the recent CVEs). But if you're building AI-powered automations and don't want to pay per step, n8n is the clear choice.
Sources
- n8n official site (accessed 2026-04-02)
- n8n Community forum (accessed 2026-04-02)
- G2 reviews (accessed 2026-04-02)
- Hacker News (CVE reports) (accessed 2026-04-02)