n8n sits in the “Automation” part of a list of 58 tools I keep for building software, publishing content and selling products. Workflow automation you can host yourself. Plenty of control. This page is the short, honest version: Free self-hosted, cloud ~€20/mo, the moment it earns its place, what to check before you pay, and what else on the list would do the job.
The facts
| What it does | Workflow automation you can host yourself. Plenty of control. |
|---|---|
| When you need it | When you sell automations or run real volume. |
| Price | Free self-hosted, cloud ~€20/mo |
| Free tier | Yes |
| Category | Automation |
| Covered in | |
| In my stack | Yes — I use this one |
n8n
Free self-hosted, cloud ~€20/mo · When you sell automations or run real volume.
No affiliate link here — this one pays me nothing. It is on the list anyway.
Before you buy
Who should skip it
Skip self-hosting unless you are comfortable maintaining a server.
What to check before you pay
Check what the cloud plan costs at your real execution volume; that is the number that grows.
Alternatives to n8n on this list
Other tools for agents and automation that finish a job.
| Tool | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Creao | Turns one conversation into a reusable app, connected to Gmail, Slack, GitHub and 30+ tools. | Free tier, then paid · code AFF20 |
| MuleRun | An autonomous agent for repetitive work. | Free tier, then paid |
| Zapier | The most integrations, the highest price. | Free tier, then ~$20+/mo |
| Make | Visual automation between tools, lower barrier than n8n. | Free tier |
Questions people ask
What is n8n?
Workflow automation you can host yourself. Plenty of control. It sits in the “Automation” part of the stack: For processes you have already run by hand and that are frequent, boring and stable. Never automate something you have not done manually at least five times.
What does n8n cost?
Free self-hosted, cloud ~€20/mo. There is a free tier, so you can try it before paying. Prices change — this list was last checked on 11 September 2026, and the tool's own pricing page is the source of truth.
When do you need n8n?
When you sell automations or run real volume.
What are the alternatives to n8n?
On this list: Creao, MuleRun, Zapier, Make. Same job, different trade-offs — the table above says what each one costs and what it is for.
Do you use n8n yourself?
Yes. It is part of the stack I build and publish with.
The Short Version
Every conclusion from all eight playbooks — how these tools turn into income. Free.