Is n8n free? The answer depends on how you choose to use it.

If you self-host n8n, the Community Edition is completely free. You get unlimited workflows, unlimited executions, and access to more than 400 integrations without paying a license fee.

If you prefer n8n Cloud, where the platform is managed for you, you’ll need to subscribe to a paid plan.

n8n is a powerful, open-source-friendly workflow automation platform that connects your apps and automates tasks such as data syncing, notifications, AI agents, CRM updates, and much more.

It gives individuals, startups, and businesses the flexibility to build advanced automations without being locked into a proprietary system.

For many of us here in Kenya, self-hosting n8n offers the best balance of flexibility and affordability.

Plus running n8n on reliable local hosting like Truehost keeps costs low while giving you full control over your workflows.

Is n8n Free? Self-Hosted n8n Is the Actual Free Option

When people ask if n8n is free, they’re usually referring to the Community Edition. The answer is yes.

It’s open-source software that you can download, install on your own server, and use without paying a license fee.

The Community Edition includes everything most users need to build powerful automations.

You get unlimited active workflows, unlimited workflow executions, access to the complete catalog of 400+ integrations, code nodes for JavaScript and Python, webhooks, API access, and the flexibility to customize workflows as your needs grow.

There is one cost to keep in mind.

While the software itself is free, it still needs a server to run on. That means you’ll pay for hosting, making it free to use but not completely free to operate.

Pros of Self-Hosted n8n

• Complete control over your data: Your workflows and business data stay on infrastructure you manage, giving you greater privacy and security.
• No execution limits: Run as many workflows as you need without worrying about per-execution charges or usage caps.
• Works for businesses of all sizes: Great for freelancers, startups, agencies, and established businesses automating CRM, e-commerce, payment notifications, marketing, and other everyday tasks.
• Lower long-term costs: Once your server is set up, you only pay for hosting, making it an affordable option as your automation needs grow.

Cons

• Requires initial setup: You’ll need to install n8n on a server, with Docker being the recommended deployment method.
• You’re responsible for maintenance: Updates, backups, security, and server monitoring are all part of managing a self-hosted installation.
• Some technical knowledge helps: Basic familiarity with Linux servers or Docker makes setup and troubleshooting much easier.

Self-Hosting Costs in 2026: What You Actually Pay

One of the biggest advantages of self-hosting n8n is that the software itself doesn’t cost anything. Your only ongoing expense is the server that runs it.

• Software: Free. The n8n Community Edition comes with no license fee.

Infrastructure Costs

The main cost of self-hosting is your hosting plan.

• Basic VPS: A virtual private server capable of running n8n typically costs around $4-7 per month, depending on the provider and server specifications.
• Managed platforms: If you prefer a simpler setup, managed hosting options usually cost $3-10 per month and often include one-click deployment, automatic updates, backups, and free SSL certificates.

What Self-Hosting Actually Costs in Kenya

Local hosting offers predictable pricing in Kenyan shillings and infrastructure that’s closer to your customers and services.

At Truehost, we offer the following KVM VPS plans for running n8n:

• KVM 1 – KSh 1,999/month: Includes 1 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, 50 GB NVMe storage, and 4 TB bandwidth. It’s a great starting point for personal projects, freelancers, and small businesses with moderate automation needs.
• KVM 2 – KSh 2,499/month: Includes 2 vCPUs, 8 GB RAM, 100 GB NVMe storage, and 8 TB bandwidth. This plan provides additional resources for growing businesses, higher workflow volumes, and multiple automation projects.

Both plans come with n8n pre-installed, along with Node 20, PostgreSQL, and free auto-renewing SSL certificates, so you can get started without spending time on manual installation and configuration.

Another advantage is the predictable pricing. You pay a flat monthly hosting fee regardless of how many workflows or executions you run, making it easier to scale your automations without worrying about usage-based charges.

Now, if your team is looking for a reliable local hosting provider, we at Truehost, offer one of the most cost-effective and hassle-free ways to self-host n8n in Kenya.

n8n Cloud Pricing in 2026: The Hosted Alternative

If you’d rather leave the hosting and maintenance to n8n, n8n Cloud is the managed option.

It no longer offers a permanent free plan, but you can start with a 14-day free trial before choosing a paid subscription.

Plans

Plan	Monthly Price (Billed Annually)	Executions per Month
Starter	$20/month	2,500
Pro	$50/month	10,000
Business	$800/month	40,000

Advantages of n8n Cloud

• No server maintenance: n8n takes care of the hosting, updates, and infrastructure.
• Automatic updates: New features, security patches, and platform improvements are applied for you.

Disadvantages of n8n Cloud

• Execution limits: Every plan comes with a monthly execution allowance, so costs can increase as your workflows grow. For example, a workflow that runs every five minutes can use more than 8,600 executions in a month, exceeding the Starter plan on its own.
• Higher ongoing costs: Monthly subscription fees can become expensive over time, especially as you move to higher-tier plans.
• Data hosted abroad: Your workflows and data are stored on n8n’s infrastructure outside Kenya, which may not suit every business or compliance requirement.

When n8n Cloud Makes Sense

n8n Cloud is a good fit for teams that want a fully managed platform and don’t want to handle server administration.

It can also be the right choice for businesses that need enterprise features such as single sign-on (SSO), Git-based version control, and advanced audit logs.

But if you want to keep costs predictable and avoid execution limits, self-hosting is often the more practical option. That’s why, at Truehost, we recommend self-hosting for most individuals and businesses in Kenya looking to get the most value from n8n.

Why Executions Are More Important Than the Price Tag

When comparing workflow automation platforms, the monthly subscription price only tells part of the story. A better question is how each platform measures usage, because that’s what determines your long-term costs.

With n8n, pricing is based on workflow executions. Every time a workflow runs from start to finish, it counts as one execution, regardless of how many steps, nodes, or integrations it contains.

For example, a workflow that receives a form submission, updates a CRM, sends an email, and posts a Slack notification is still counted as a single execution.

This is a major advantage over platforms like Zapier and Make, which charge based on individual tasks or operations. The more steps you add to a workflow, the more usage you consume, making complex automations increasingly expensive over time.

Why Self-Hosting Wins at Scale

• Lower total cost of ownership: Instead of focusing only on subscription fees, consider the combined cost of the software and the hosting it runs on. With self-hosted n8n, the software is free, leaving your VPS as the primary ongoing expense.
• Unlimited executions at a fixed monthly cost: As long as your server has the resources to handle your workloads, you can run as many workflows as you need without worrying about execution limits or surprise charges.
• Better long-term ROI: At Truehost, we recommend self-hosting because it gives you predictable monthly costs, greater control over your data, and more room to scale. As your automation needs grow, your hosting bill stays the same instead of increasing with every workflow execution.

Where to Self-Host n8n in Kenya

Our Truehost n8n self-hosting solution offers the best balance of flexibility, reliability, and affordability.

It gives you everything you need to build and scale automations without worrying about execution limits or unpredictable monthly costs.

This is what you get when you host n8n with us:

1. Nairobi-based KVM VPS infrastructure: Enjoy reliable performance, lower latency to East African services, and convenient billing in Kenyan shillings.
2. One-click deployment: Launch n8n in minutes with Node.js, PostgreSQL, and SSL already configured, so you can start building workflows right away.
3. Unlimited workflows and executions: Run as many automations as your server can handle for one predictable monthly fee, with no execution-based charges.
4. Built for growth: Choose the KVM plan that fits your workload today, then scale your server resources as your automation needs expand.

If you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective way to self-host n8n, we’re here to help you get started.

Start your unlimited automation today with Truehost n8n self-hosting.

Need help choosing the right plan or migrating your existing workflows? Contact us for personalized setup assistance and expert guidance tailored to your automation goals.