Verdict
What is n8n?
n8n is a workflow automation tool you can run on your own server or use as a hosted service. It has become a common choice for building AI agents because the LLM steps are first-class rather than bolted on.
What it does well
Automations that must keep data inside your own infrastructure, and agent-style workflows where a model decides which tool to call next.
Who should use it
Teams with someone technical, agencies building automations for clients, and businesses with data residency requirements.
Who should not use it
A small business with no technical support. The self-hosted saving is not a saving if nobody can maintain it.
Related reading
How we tested
Same source documents
Same job, every tool
One prompt per job
No re-rolls
Human review
Two editors, blind
Scored against the rubric
Published Aug 2026
Where it fits
Good for
- Teams with in-house technical capacity
- Data-sensitive workflows that can't leave your infrastructure
- High-volume automations where per-operation pricing would bite
Not for
- A first automation with no technical setup time available
Pros
- No seat or per-operation fees
- Full control over data and hosting
- Large library of community workflow templates
Cons
- You maintain the server
- Steeper initial learning curve than managed tools
Similar tools
8.4/10
Visual automation platform with more control than a linear workflow builder.