# n8n > Workflow automation platform for building AI agents and automations visually, with code steps and self-hosting. n8n is a workflow automation platform for technical teams that combines a visual canvas with JavaScript and Python steps. n8n is used to build AI agents and automations that connect to more than 500 integrations, and it runs either in the managed n8n cloud or self-hosted on your own infrastructure. **Best for:** Technical teams that want traceable AI agents and automations with code-level flexibility and the option to keep data on their own servers. - Official site: https://n8n.io/ - Listed in: [AI Agents & Automation](https://trendhub.net/ai-tools/category/ai-agents), [Developer API](https://trendhub.net/ai-tools/category/developer-api), [Productivity & Team Work](https://trendhub.net/ai-tools/category/productivity-tools) - Last checked: 2026-10-09 (facts taken from n8n.io) - Source page: https://trendhub.net/ai-tools/n8n-ai-workflow-automation-platform ## Key facts - Platforms: Web, MCP - Pricing model: Subscription - Free trial: Yes - Made by: n8n ## What is n8n? n8n is a workflow automation platform aimed at technical teams that want to build AI agents and business automations on a visual canvas while keeping the option to write code. Workflows are assembled from nodes; more than 500 integrations are prebuilt, and anything else can be reached through custom API connections. JavaScript or Python can be inserted at any step. For AI work, n8n supports multi-agent setups and RAG systems, lets you swap between cloud and offline models, and shows each prompt, response and following action so an agent's reasoning can be traced. Human approval steps and structured inputs and outputs help constrain what AI steps do. n8n can run in the vendor's managed cloud or on your own infrastructure with Docker, including air-gapped installs, and its source code is published on GitHub. ## Key features - **Visual Workflow Canvas**: Lays out each step of an automation or agent as connected nodes, with inputs and outputs shown beside the settings. - **500+ Integrations**: Provides prebuilt nodes for common apps and custom API connections for services without one. - **Code Steps**: Accepts JavaScript or Python inside a workflow when the visual nodes are not enough. - **Traceable AI Agents**: Works with any model and lets you inspect prompts, responses and subsequent actions for every execution. - **Debugging Tools**: Re-runs single steps, replays or mocks data and offers a logs view and built-in AI evaluations. - **Self-Hosting and Enterprise Controls**: Deploys on-premises with SSO via SAML or LDAP, role-based permissions, audit logs and Git-based version control. ## Use cases - **Employee Onboarding in IT**: Automate account creation and access steps when a new hire joins. - **Security Ticket Enrichment**: Add context to incident tickets automatically before an analyst reviews them. - **Natural Language to API Calls**: Let a DevOps agent translate a plain request into the right API calls. - **Customer Insight from Reviews**: Summarise review data to give sales teams usable findings. - **RAG over Company Data**: Connect internal data sources so an agent can answer questions with citations to systems of record. ## Things to know - **Billing by executions**: A full workflow run counts as one execution regardless of how many steps it has. - **Some plans are self-hosted only**: The pricing page marks the Business plan as self-hosted, while Starter and Pro are hosted by n8n. - **Own license**: n8n documents its own license terms on a dedicated page; the code is visible on GitHub. - **Start-up discount**: Companies with fewer than 20 employees can apply for a Start-up Plan with a reduced Business price. ## FAQs ### What is n8n? n8n is a workflow automation platform that combines a visual builder with code steps and is used to create AI agents and business process automations. ### What is n8n used for? n8n is used to connect applications, move and transform data between them, and build AI agents for areas such as IT operations, security operations, DevOps and sales. ### Can n8n be self-hosted? Yes. n8n can be deployed on your own infrastructure with Docker, including air-gapped environments, and a hosted cloud version is also offered. ### Is n8n open to inspect? Yes. n8n publishes its full source code on GitHub, and a self-hosted Community Edition is available there. ### How is n8n priced? n8n bases its plans on monthly workflow executions rather than steps or users, and all plans include unlimited users and workflows. The page checked showed prices in euros, so see the official pricing page for amounts. ### Does n8n offer a free trial? Yes. The n8n Starter cloud plan can be started as a free trial without a credit card. ### Does n8n support MCP? Yes. n8n can connect to systems that use MCP, and its own MCP feature lets you build and update workflows from inside an AI app. --- Source: https://trendhub.net/ai-tools/n8n-ai-workflow-automation-platform (trendhub)