n8n
n8n is a workflow automation platform for building AI agents and multi-step workflows, which its README calls fair-code and source available. It lists more than 1,500 integrations and 9,000 templates, combines a visual canvas with JavaScript and Python code, and connects to OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or open models. Its Sustainable Use License allows internal business, personal and non-commercial use; enterprise features need a paid licence.
What does n8n do?
n8n is a "fair-code platform to build and deploy AI agents and workflows", with the tagline "AI automation you can trust with real work, from prototype to production." The README lists "1500+ integrations and 9,000+ workflow templates", and lets you "combine a visual canvas with custom code" in JavaScript, Python and npm packages. You can "connect to OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or open-source models and switch providers without changing your architecture."
It builds multi-step agents with "logic, tool use, human approvals, and full observability", and for companies it lists "role-based access, audit trails, and support for sensitive data." It runs self-hosted or in n8n's cloud. The README describes the source as always visible and calls the model fair-code, with an enterprise licence for additional features and support.
Key facts
- Licence: the Sustainable Use License 1.0: "You may use or modify the software only for your own internal business purposes or for non-commercial or personal use", and distribute it only free of charge for non-commercial purposes.
- Files with .ee. in the name or folder are under the n8n Enterprise License, which requires a valid enterprise licence for production use and allows development and testing without one.
- The LICENSE also says content of branches other than the main branch is not licensed.
- 1,500+ integrations and 9,000+ workflow templates, by the README.
- AI: agents and multi-step workflows over OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or open-source models, with human approvals and observability. Ollama is not named in the README.
- Code steps in JavaScript and Python with npm packages; role-based access and audit trails.
- Install: curl -fsSL https://get.n8n.io | sh, which uses Docker, or the Docker image on port 5678; n8n also runs a hosted cloud.
- Latest tagged release when read: n8n@2.39.7 on 2026-09-17; 205,071 stars, the most of any project in this directory.
What does it replace, and where does it fall short?
n8n replaces Zapier and Make for a company that wants the same visual automation, with AI agents and real code steps, on its own servers where its data stays. For internal automation its licence is no obstacle. It is the most widely used entry on the open-source alternatives to Zapier page, by stars.
Where it falls short of open source: the Sustainable Use License allows internal business and non-commercial use only, so you may not offer n8n as a service to others or sell a product built on it, and enterprise features need a paid licence. That is why this site labels it source available. For an MIT alternative with a similar builder, Activepieces.
How does n8n run?
Run the install script at get.n8n.io, which needs Docker, or run the n8n Docker image yourself; the editor opens at localhost:5678. n8n also offers a hosted cloud and enterprise licences for additional features and support; the README states no prices.
Who is n8n for?
A company automating its own work, with AI agents and code, that wants it self-hosted. A company that wants to embed automation in a product it sells, or run it for clients, needs a licence from n8n or an MIT project such as Activepieces.
What limits does the README state?
None stated in the README. The licence terms, quoted above, are the limits to read.
Questions people ask
Is n8n open source?
Not by the OSI definition. Its README calls it fair-code and source available: the code is visible, and the Sustainable Use License allows use and modification only for internal business, non-commercial or personal purposes. Files marked .ee need a paid enterprise licence in production. This site labels it source available.
Can I self-host n8n for free?
Yes, for your own internal business purposes or for personal and non-commercial use, under the Sustainable Use License. Enterprise features, which live in files marked .ee, need a paid licence for production. Offering n8n to others as a service is not permitted by the licence.
Does n8n support AI agents?
Yes. The README describes building multi-step AI agents and workflows with your own data, models and tools, with human approvals and observability, over OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or open-source models. Ollama is not named in the README.
How does n8n compare with Zapier?
n8n gives you visual automation with code steps and AI agents on your own servers, with 1,500+ integrations by its count. Zapier is a hosted service that claims 9,000+ apps. The open-source alternatives to Zapier page compares n8n with Activepieces, Dify, Langflow, Windmill and Huginn.
Can I build a product on top of n8n?
Not under its default licence, which limits use to internal business, personal and non-commercial purposes and allows distribution only free of charge for non-commercial purposes. For that you need an agreement with n8n, or an MIT-licensed project such as Activepieces or Langflow.
Sources
- n8n README, LICENSE.md (Sustainable Use License) and LICENSE_EE.md: github.com/n8n-io/n8n, read 2026-09-17.
Compared with the others
On the open-source alternatives to Zapier page, n8n is the pick for the largest integration library. 1,500+ integrations and 9,000+ templates by its own count, with AI agents, JavaScript and Python steps, and role-based access, self-hosted or in its cloud.
Also on that page: Activepieces for a no-code builder under mit, Windmill for code-first automation for developers, Dify for ai-first workflows and agents.
On the open-source alternatives to Make page, n8n is the pick for the largest integration library. 1,500+ integrations and 9,000+ templates by its own count, with AI agents, JavaScript and Python steps, and role-based access, self-hosted or in its cloud.
Also on that page: Activepieces for a no-code builder under mit, Langflow for visual ai flows as apis or mcp tools, Dify for ai-first workflows and agents.
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Added September 17, 2026. Every claim above comes from the project's README, LICENSE or model card, read on September 17, 2026, or from the GitHub API on the date shown in the panel. Found an error? Write to reveneau@licheo.com and it is fixed in the next weekly pass. Repository: github.com/n8n-io/n8n.
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