n8n
Free node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services.
- Automation & Workflows
- TypeScript
- Sustainable Use License
- Source-available
- Docker
- Actively maintained
- Featured
GitHub stats
- GitHub stars
- 206,738
- Forks
- 61,010
- Open issues
- 361
- Commits, last 12 months
- 9,029
- Last commit
- Oct 6, 2026
- Latest release
- n8n@2.41.7Oct 5, 2026
- Created
- Jun 22, 2019
- License
- Sustainable Use License 1.0Source-available
Data from the GitHub API, refreshed daily.
About n8n
Free node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services. n8n is source-available under the Sustainable Use License 1.0 and written mainly in TypeScript, so you can read the code, run it on your own hardware and keep full control of your data.
The project has 206,738 stars and 61,010 forks on GitHub, with 9,029 commits over the last year. It ships a Docker image, which makes it a good fit for a small VPS or a home server running Docker Compose.
Topics
- automation
- ipaas
- n8n
- workflow
- typescript
- self-hosted
- integrations
- workflow-automation
- cli
- development
Self-hosted alternative to
n8n can replace these commercial products. Compare every option on each page.
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n8n compared
Head-to-head comparisons with a clear verdict on when to pick n8n.
n8n vs Activepieces
Pick n8n for the deepest node library, code steps and AI agent workflows; pick Activepieces if you want an MIT-licensed, simpler Zapier-style builder for non-developers.
n8n vs Node-RED
Pick n8n to automate SaaS apps and AI workflows with ready-made integrations; pick Node-RED for IoT, MQTT and home automation flows on lightweight hardware like a Raspberry Pi.
n8n vs Huginn
Pick n8n for a visual workflow editor with hundreds of integrations and AI nodes; pick Huginn for a hackable, MIT-licensed Ruby agent system for web monitoring and scraping.
From the blog
Articles about n8n
Comparisons, rankings and guides on the appsgit blog that cover n8n.
- Alternatives
The best open-source alternatives to n8n in 2026
The best open-source n8n alternatives in 2026: Activepieces, Huginn, Node-RED, Windmill, Kestra and Automatisch, with honest licence notes and who each suits.
6 min read
- Comparisons
n8n vs Make (Integromat): which automation tool should you choose in 2026?
n8n vs Make in 2026: pricing per execution vs per credit, self-hosting, licences, code steps and AI agents compared, with a clear pick for every kind of team.
6 min read
- Comparisons
n8n vs Zapier vs Activepieces: open-source automation compared
n8n vs Zapier vs Activepieces compared for 2026: licences, self-hosting, pricing per run, integrations, AI agents and MCP, with a clear pick for every team.
6 min read
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What is n8n?
n8n is a source-available app you can host on your own server, listed in our Automation & Workflows category. Free node based Workflow Automation Tool. Easily automate tasks across different services. The source code lives at github.com/n8n-io/n8n, where it has 206,738 stars.
Is n8n free and open source?
Not by the OSI definition. n8n is source-available rather than open source: its code is public under the Sustainable Use License 1.0, which is not an OSI-approved open-source license. The Sustainable Use License allows use and changes for your own internal business or personal purposes, but not reselling the software or offering it as a paid hosted service. Check the license in the repository before using it commercially.
Can I run n8n with Docker?
Yes. n8n provides a Docker image, so you can run it on any Linux server with Docker and Docker Compose installed. Our step-by-step deploy guide covers the Compose file, HTTPS and backups.
What are the best alternatives to n8n?
Popular self-hosted alternatives to n8n include Huginn, Apache Airflow and changedetection.io. n8n itself is a self-hosted alternative to Zapier, IFTTT and Buffer / Hootsuite.
Is n8n actively maintained?
The most recent commit to n8n was on Oct 6, 2026 with 9,029 commits in the past twelve months. The latest release is n8n@2.41.7, published Oct 5, 2026. Check the open issues on GitHub to gauge how quickly maintainers respond.