n8n
Workflow automation with 1,500+ integrations and built-in AI agent nodes.
Quick answer
n8n is a workflow automation with 1,500+ integrations and built-in AI agent nodes, listed under Workflow automation with AI. A typical small-business use: summarise new support tickets with an LLM and route them to the right person. The project publishes no official RAM figure, so we do not estimate a monthly server cost. License: Sustainable Use License (fair-code) + n8n Enterprise License for .ee files, which allows internal business use.
Last updated · facts verified against official docs on · sources
Activity data comes from GitHub and was last refreshed Oct 22, 2026.
What is n8n?
n8n is a node-based automation tool, similar to Zapier or Make, that you can host yourself. Workflows can call LLMs, run AI agents and mix them with ordinary steps such as CRM updates, spreadsheets, email and webhooks. It is "fair-code": the source is public but the license limits commercial resale.
Where it fits in a 10–200 person business
- Summarise new support tickets with an LLM and route them to the right person
- Enrich incoming leads and draft a first reply automatically
- Nightly job that classifies invoices or emails and files them
These use cases are our editorial suggestions, not claims made by the project.
Can a business use n8n? (license)
| License | Sustainable Use License (fair-code) + n8n Enterprise License for .ee files |
|---|---|
| Type | Source-available: Code is public but commercial resale is restricted. |
| Internal business use | Allowed under the license text |
| What to watch | You may use or modify n8n for your own internal business purposes or for non-commercial use. You may not sell it or offer it to others as a paid service. Files with ".ee" in the name need an n8n Enterprise License. |
This is a plain-English summary of the license text, not legal advice. Third-party models you run with it have their own licenses.
What hardware does n8n need?
The project does not publish a minimum CPU/RAM figure, so we leave it blank rather than guess.
No official minimum. n8n does not cap how much data a node processes, so memory needs grow with workflow size.
Source: docs.n8n.io/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/scaling/fix-memory-issues
How much does it cost to host n8n per month?
The project publishes no RAM figure we could verify, so we do not estimate a cost.
How to deploy n8n
Method: Docker
docker volume create n8n_data
docker run -it --rm --name n8n -p 5678:5678 \
-e GENERIC_TIMEZONE="<YOUR_TIMEZONE>" -e TZ="<YOUR_TIMEZONE>" \
-e N8N_ENFORCE_SETTINGS_FILE_PERMISSIONS=true \
-v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n \
n8nio/n8nFrom the official instructions: docs.n8n.io/deploy/host-n8n/install-options/install-with-docker. Always check the source for the current version before you run it.
Known gotchas when self-hosting n8n
Alternatives in Workflow automation with AI
- Activepieces Open-source Zapier alternative with AI agents, MCP and human-in-the-loop steps. Compare Activepieces vs n8n
n8n FAQ
How much RAM does n8n need?
n8n does not publish an official RAM figure, so we do not state one. n8n does not cap how much data a node processes, so memory needs grow with workflow size.
How much does it cost to self-host n8n?
The software is free to download. The project publishes no official RAM figure, so we do not estimate a monthly server cost.
Is n8n free for commercial use?
n8n is licensed under Sustainable Use License (fair-code) + n8n Enterprise License for .ee files (Source-available). Internal business use is allowed under the license text. You may use or modify n8n for your own internal business purposes or for non-commercial use. You may not sell it or offer it to others as a paid service. Files with ".ee" in the name need an n8n Enterprise License. This is a summary, not legal advice.
What are common problems when self-hosting n8n?
Large payloads, the Code node and manual executions increase memory use and can cause "JavaScript heap out of memory" errors. The Sustainable Use License allows internal business use only; reselling n8n or hosting it for paying customers is not licensed.
Is n8n still maintained?
Yes, it is actively developed. Last commit: Oct 22, 2026. Latest release: [email protected] (Oct 22, 2026). Checked Oct 22, 2026.
How do I install n8n?
The official method is Docker. The exact commands are in the "How to deploy" section above and in the official instructions: https://docs.n8n.io/deploy/host-n8n/install-options/install-with-docker
What are self-hosted alternatives to n8n?
Other apps in Workflow automation with AI: Activepieces.
Sources
- GitHub repository: github.com/n8n-io/n8n
- Official documentation, Deploy instructions: docs.n8n.io/deploy/host-n8n/install-options/install-with-docker
- License text, Gotcha 2: github.com/n8n-io/n8n/blob/master/LICENSE.md
- Hardware requirements, Gotcha 1: docs.n8n.io/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/scaling/fix-memory-issues
- Hetzner Cloud pricing (cost estimate): www.hetzner.com/cloud/regular-performance
- GitHub stars, commits and releases: GitHub REST API, fetched
Facts on this page were checked against the project's own repository and docs on 2026-10-22. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.