n8n is a fair-code workflow automation platform: a visual canvas that wires apps, webhooks, cron and AI nodes. Self-host or use official Cloud.

Is n8n open source? Is it free?

It's under the Sustainable Use License (fair-code), not Apache/MIT. Self-hosting for your own internal automation is allowed; selling it as a competing multi-tenant host needs a commercial license. Cloud is billed separately.

How do I install n8n?

Official docs recommend Docker. Create a volume, run `n8nio/n8n`, open http://localhost:5678. For production follow the official Docker/Compose guide — don't expose 5678 raw.

n8n vs Dify vs Zapier?

Repetitive ops, webhooks and scheduled sync often start with n8n; knowledge Q&A and chat apps often start with Dify; fully hosted SaaS integrations often start with Zapier. These are emphases, not exclusive features; stacks can combine them.

What was actually tested in the inquiry exercise?

The synthetic workflow was CLI-imported, exported and executed in disposable n8n 2.37.10 / Node 24.20.0. All 12 outputs and pairs matched the independent oracle. The editor returned 404 in that npm setup and is unverified; no customer, model, delivery or business-performance test occurred.

n8nFair-code · Self-host readySustainable Use License

Workflow automation that wires apps and AI nodes

n8n is a fair-code workflow platform (Sustainable Use License). A visual canvas for webhooks, cron, existing systems and AI nodes — Docker self-host or official Cloud.

Editorial update 2026-09-05; GitHub statistics snapshot 2026-10-19.

208.0k

GitHub stars

61.2k

Forks

Fair-code · Self-host ready

Status

Sustainable Use License

License

Open GitHub Repo Visit n8n.io Start with Quickstart

Turn synthetic inquiries into review-only results

Download, inspect and compare. The tutorial specifies isolation and the CLI evidence boundary; no sending or actual approval.

Prepare synthetic files and a disposable instance

Obtain test authorization. Use only the shipped 12 cases, not production data, credentials or website dependencies. Documented UI steps are not verified GUI behavior.

workflow.json + fixtures.json + expected-output.json

Inspect the three nodes before import

Only Manual Trigger and two all-items JavaScript Code nodes. CLI --separate generated a fresh ID in the tested version; see the tutorial for the full environment and commands.

Manual Trigger → Synthetic Fixtures → Review Only - Never Send

Compare every item and stop for review

Actual CLI output and pairing matched all 12 expected items: 2 drafts, 1 missing-information, 3 policy-review, 6 invalid-input. No sending; labels do not mean a person reviewed anything.

requiresHumanReview: true
sendAllowed: false

Pitfalls

⚠️

Not an MIT license

Internal self-hosting is fine; a paid multi-tenant n8n host hits the Sustainable Use License. Read LICENSE.md before you sell it.

⚠️

Don't overload AI Agent nodes

Define permissions, inputs, failures and tests before adding tools for a task. Tool count does not establish reliability. This exercise uses no model or external tool, so review routing can be checked separately.

⚠️

Do not expose a local test configuration

Follow official deployment guidance for authentication, HTTPS, backups and WEBHOOK_URL behind a proxy. Choose database and queue arrangements for your requirements; a database name alone does not establish production suitability.

Beside Dify & Zapier

These are documented emphases, not exclusive capabilities. Choose by the task, verified features and deployment requirements rather than treating positioning as a feature boundary.

Tool	License	Surface	Positioning	Best for
n8n	Fair-code · SUL	Visual workflows	App integrations + cron/webhooks + AI nodes	Repetitive ops, self-hosted automation
Dify	Apache-2.0 + conditions	AI app builder	RAG, chat apps, model providers	SME PoC / knowledge Q&A
Zapier	Proprietary SaaS	No-code automation	Huge SaaS catalog, fully hosted	Non-ops business teams

Official Directory

Official

Official site (n8n.io)
Product, Cloud and self-hosting entry.
GitHub repository
Source. Fair-code, Sustainable Use License.

Docs & Install

Documentation
Docker install, nodes, workflows and hosting.
Docker install docs
Official recommended self-host install.

Community

Community forum
Q&A and troubleshooting.

n8n Cloud
Official hosted option if you don't want to run servers.

Latest Updates

2026-09-04 · GitHub · n8n-io/n8n
n8n keeps shipping: visual workflows + native AI nodes
Fair-code workflow platform, self-host or Cloud. GitHub lists 400+ integrations. 200k+ stars.

What n8n Is: Fair-code Workflow Automation

LaoJin's Pick

197.2k ★ · 2026-07

n8n

A workflow-automation platform non-programmers can actually use, with native AI nodes. For the repetitive flows on your desk — syncing data, scheduled notifications, form handling — this should be your first stop.

FAQ

What is n8n?: n8n is a fair-code workflow automation platform: a visual canvas that wires apps, webhooks, cron and AI nodes. Self-host or use official Cloud.
Is n8n open source? Is it free?: It's under the Sustainable Use License (fair-code), not Apache/MIT. Self-hosting for your own internal automation is allowed; selling it as a competing multi-tenant host needs a commercial license. Cloud is billed separately.
How do I install n8n?: Official docs recommend Docker. Create a volume, run `n8nio/n8n`, open http://localhost:5678. For production follow the official Docker/Compose guide — don't expose 5678 raw.
n8n vs Dify vs Zapier?: Repetitive ops, webhooks and scheduled sync often start with n8n; knowledge Q&A and chat apps often start with Dify; fully hosted SaaS integrations often start with Zapier. These are emphases, not exclusive features; stacks can combine them.
What was actually tested in the inquiry exercise?: The synthetic workflow was CLI-imported, exported and executed in disposable n8n 2.37.10 / Node 24.20.0. All 12 outputs and pairs matched the independent oracle. The editor returned 404 in that npm setup and is unverified; no customer, model, delivery or business-performance test occurred.

Evidence: version-specific CLI run · GUI unverified

12 synthetic inquiries, each paired with a review result

n8n 2.37.10 / Node 24.20.0 output and pairing matched the independent oracle. No model, customer data or sends; a queue label does not deliver a review task.

Follow the complete walkthrough →

Connecting an existing operation? Start with field names, source permissions and who may approve—not raw customer records.

Discuss input and review requirements View service scope

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