n8n
Top pickPowerful, self-hostable workflow automation with a large node library.
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sovereigntyn8n is the tool most people mean by "self-hosted Zapier." It offers a visual workflow editor with 400+ integration nodes, branching logic, and code steps, plus AI/agent nodes for LLM-driven automations. You can self-host it for free with Docker and keep every workflow and credential on your own server, or use n8n's paid cloud. Note the license: n8n uses the source-available Sustainable Use License, not an OSI-approved open-source license.
SOURCE-AVAILABLESustainable Use License (source-available, fair-code; not OSI-approved)SELF-HOSTLOCAL-FIRST
LicenseSustainable Use License (source-available, fair-code; not OSI-approved)
PricingFree to self-host; paid n8n Cloud tiers available
Open sourceNo
Self-hostableYes
Local-first dataYes
What it does well
- +Runs entirely on your own server via Docker; workflows and credentials stay on your infrastructure
- +Very large node library (400+ integrations) plus HTTP and code nodes to reach almost any API
- +Strong branching, error handling, and built-in AI/agent nodes for LLM workflows
- +Very active project and large community (190k+ GitHub stars, near-daily commits)
- +Workflows export as JSON, so they are portable between your own n8n instances
Where it falls short
- −License is source-available (Sustainable Use License), not OSI open-source; it permits internal/self-hosted business use but restricts offering n8n itself as a hosted service to third parties
- −Self-hosting requires running and maintaining a server and database
- −Fewer prebuilt app integrations than Zapier's 7,000+ catalog; some connections need HTTP/API setup
- −Steeper learning curve than a pure no-code tool for complex flows
n8n as an alternative to
Where n8n shows up in our comparisons, and how it ranked.
n8n head-to-head
Straight comparisons against the tools people weigh it against.