Yes, if you host it yourself. n8n's docs say any self-hosted install without a licence key runs as the free Community edition, while n8n Cloud, the version n8n hosts for you, starts with a free trial capped at 1,000 executions and needs a plan after that.
n8n is a workflow automation tool, in the same family as Zapier and Make, that can connect your business apps and run AI agents. The question of whether it's free has two answers because n8n comes in two forms. You can run it on your own server, or you can let n8n run it for you in the cloud. One of those is free to keep. The other is free to try.
The free option: n8n Community edition
n8n's hosting docs explain that you can self-host n8n on your own infrastructure, on-premises or in a private cloud, using Docker Compose, a one-line setup or other deployment methods. All self-hosted installs use the same core product, and without a licence key, n8n runs as the free Community edition. Adding a Business or Enterprise licence key turns on those editions instead.
n8n's plans page also points out that a standard self-hosted version of n8n is available on GitHub, and lists several features as available in self-hosted, such as running bash scripts and custom nodes.
Self-hosted Community edition vs n8n Cloud trial
| Feature | Community edition (self-hosted) | n8n Cloud free trial |
|---|---|---|
| Free to keep | Yes | Trial only |
| Who runs the server | You | n8n |
| Workflow executions | Set by your own server | 1,000 |
| Concurrent executions | Depends on your server | 5 |
| Execution timeout | Depends on your setup | 180 seconds |
| Team projects | Not listed | 1 |
| Assistant credits | Not listed | 800, expiring at trial end |
| Credit card needed | No | No |
What the n8n Cloud free trial includes
n8n's FAQ lists what you get when you start a free trial of n8n Cloud:
- Pro-level features, including Global Variables, Insights with a 14-day history, 5-day workflow history, advanced execution filters, unlimited evaluations, folders and the Assistant.
- Trial limits of 1,000 executions, 5 concurrent executions, a 180-second execution timeout and 1 team project.
- 800 Assistant credits plus 100 AI credits, which expire when the trial ends.
- No credit card required for the n8n Cloud trial.
n8n lists a few things that aren't in the trial: admin roles, the project Editor role, named versions, workflow diffs and the n8n public API. There's also a separate 14-day trial of the Business plan, which n8n says does need a credit card.
The catch: free means you run the server
The Community edition is free software, but somebody has to host it. That means choosing a server, installing n8n with Docker or another method, keeping it updated and backing it up. For a developer that's routine. For a business owner who's never touched a server, it's the hidden effort behind the word free.
The Cloud trial removes that effort, but it's a trial. Once it ends, keeping your workflows running in n8n's cloud means moving to a plan.
How n8n counts executions
This is one place where n8n differs from other automation tools. n8n says an execution is a single run of your entire workflow, no matter how many steps it has or how much data it processes. That makes usage easier to predict than tools that count every step, and it means a 10-step workflow uses the same single execution as a 2-step one.
If you're used to counting tasks elsewhere, my Zapier vs Make cheat sheet explains how the other big tools measure usage.
How to try n8n for free
- Decide whether you want to self-host or start with n8n Cloud.
- To self-host, follow n8n's hosting docs and install the Community edition with Docker Compose or the one-line setup.
- To try the cloud version, sign up for the n8n Cloud trial. No credit card is needed.
- Build one small workflow first, such as copying new form entries into a spreadsheet.
- Watch your execution count during the trial so you know how much you'd use each month.
Who free n8n suits
The self-hosted Community edition suits technical founders, developers and agencies who are comfortable running a server and want automation without per-run limits from a trial. The n8n Cloud trial suits anyone who wants to see what n8n can do before deciding how to host it.
If you'd rather not run a server at all and want a free plan you can keep, my list of n8n alternatives covers hosted tools with ongoing free tiers.
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The self-hosted AI starter kit
If AI agents are why you're looking at n8n, its hosting docs point to a curated self-hosted AI Starter Kit you can deploy. That gives you a ready-made starting point on your own server rather than building everything from scratch.
n8n's hosting docs also cover the jobs that come with self-hosting, such as managing databases, environment variables, users, licences and security settings. If those words feel unfamiliar, that's a sign the Cloud trial is the better place to start.
My verdict: n8n is free when you host it yourself, and the Community edition is the same core product. If servers aren't your thing, use the Cloud trial to learn it, then decide whether self-hosting or a plan makes more sense.
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n free to self-host?
Yes. n8n's docs say a self-hosted install without a licence key runs as the free Community edition.
How long is the n8n Cloud free trial?
n8n lists trial limits of 1,000 executions, 5 concurrent executions, a 180-second execution timeout and 1 team project. A separate Business plan trial lasts 14 days.
Do I need a credit card for the n8n free trial?
No credit card is required for the n8n Cloud trial. n8n says a card is only required for the Business plan free trial.
What counts as an execution in n8n?
n8n says an execution is a single run of your entire workflow, however many steps it has and however much data it processes.
Is n8n open source?
n8n says a standard self-hosted version is available on GitHub, and self-hosted installs without a licence key run as the free Community edition.
Does n8n have a self-hosted AI starter kit?
Yes. n8n's hosting docs point to a curated self-hosted AI Starter Kit you can deploy.
What's not included in the n8n Cloud trial?
n8n says the trial doesn't include admin roles, the project Editor role, named versions, workflow diffs or the n8n public API.
