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n8n4.6/5vsn8
n8n (Self-hosted)4.5/5n8n vs n8n (Self-hosted) (March 2026)
| nn8n | n8n8n (Self-hosted) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Developers, Privacy-focused teams | Technical teams and developers needing custom automations, Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness |
Quick Verdict
n8n edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating versus n8n (Self-hosted)'s 4.5/5, offering stronger value for most teams.
Quick Overview
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n8n
Open-source workflow automation tool with visual interface and self-hosting option.
- Best for: Developers, Privacy-focused teams
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Automation Tools
- Founded: 2019
- Pricing model: freemium
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n8n (Self-hosted)
Open-source workflow automation platform that combines visual no-code editing with full code flexibility for building co...
- Best for: Technical teams and developers needing custom automations, Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Automation Tools
- Founded: 2019
- Pricing model: freemium
Feature Comparison
| Feature | n8n | n8n (Self-hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| App Integrations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi-step Workflows | ✓ | ✗ |
| Conditional Logic | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scheduling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✓ | ✗ |
| Data Formatting | ✓ | ✗ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✗ |
| Self-hosting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visual Workflow Editor | ✗ | ✓ |
| Code Flexibility | ✗ | ✓ |
| 400+ Integrations | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI & LangChain Integration | ✗ | ✓ |
| Git Version Control | ✗ | ✓ |
| Advanced Debugging | ✗ | ✓ |
| Queue Mode Scaling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Enterprise Security | ✗ | ✓ |
| Template Library | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
n8n
Free
Starting price
freemium · 4 plans
Self-hosted
FreeStarter
$24/moProPopular
$60/moEnterprise
Freen8n (Self-hosted)
Free
Starting price
freemium · 3 plans
Self-hostedPopular
FreeCloud Community
FreeCloud Enterprise
$50/moPros & Cons
n8n
Pros
- Open source
- Self-hosting option
- No execution limits self-hosted
- Fair pricing
Cons
- Learning curve
- Less polished UI
- Fewer native integrations
- Requires technical knowledge
n8n (Self-hosted)
Pros
- Completely free self-hosted version with unlimited usage
- Hybrid visual/code approach suits both developers and non-coders
- Extensive integration library with 400+ pre-built connectors
- Strong AI capabilities with LangChain and custom model support
Cons
- Steeper learning curve compared to pure no-code tools
- Requires technical knowledge for self-hosting and maintenance
- Cloud pricing can become expensive for high-volume usage
- Less hand-holding for beginners than traditional automation tools
Which Is Best for You?
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Choose n8n if:
- Developers
- Privacy-focused teams
- Technical users
- Self-hosters
- You want to start with a free plan
- Higher user rating matters to you (4.6 vs 4.5)
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Choose n8n (Self-hosted) if:
- Technical teams and developers needing custom automations
- Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness
- Organizations requiring data sovereignty and on-premises hosting
- Teams building AI-powered workflows and complex integrations
- You want to start with a free plan
- Budget is a priority (Free vs $24)
Our Verdict
🏆
nn8n — Winnern8n8n (Self-hosted) — Runner-up
After thorough analysis, n8n takes the lead in this comparison with a higher rating of 4.6/5 versus n8n (Self-hosted)'s 4.5/5.
n8n is best for Developers and Privacy-focused teams. Open source.
n8n (Self-hosted) remains a strong alternative, especially for Technical teams and developers needing custom automations and Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness. Completely free self-hosted version with unlimited usage.
Pricing-wise, n8n (Self-hosted) is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.
Explore More
n8n Alternatives
n8n (Self-hosted) Alternatives
Category Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
n8n edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating versus n8n (Self-hosted)'s 4.5/5, offering stronger value for most teams.
n8n (Self-hosted) starts at Free/mo (free tier available), while n8n starts at $24/mo (free tier available).
Yes. Most users can migrate data between the two. Check both platforms for import/export tools before switching.
n8n integrates with 400+ apps, HTTP requests, Databases, Custom nodes. n8n (Self-hosted) integrates with Salesforce, Slack, Gmail, Asana. Both offer solid third-party connectivity, though the best choice depends on your existing tech stack.
Both tools are designed for ease of use. n8n is best for Developers and Privacy-focused teams, while n8n (Self-hosted) excels for Technical teams and developers needing custom automations and Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
n8n has a 4.6/5 rating from 1,200 reviews, while n8n (Self-hosted) scores 4.5/5 from 1,250 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, n8n (Self-hosted) may be more budget-friendly starting at Free. However, n8n (Free) could offer better value depending on the features you need most.
For enterprise use, consider which offers more advanced plans. n8n has 4 plans while n8n (Self-hosted) has 3 plans. Evaluate each tool's enterprise features, security compliance, and team management capabilities before committing.
Check each tool's website for the latest mobile app availability. Both n8n and n8n (Self-hosted) offer web-based access, and many modern SaaS tools provide companion mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose n8n if you prioritize open source and want to start free. Choose n8n (Self-hosted) if you value completely free self-hosted version with unlimited usage and want a free tier.