n8n : construire un workflow IA auto-hébergé (RGPD-friendly)
Automatiser avec l'IA sans envoyer vos données chez un tiers : pourquoi n8n auto-hébergé séduit les PME européennes, et comment…
Category
AI & Automation
Starting price
€0 / €20/month
Free version
Yes (self-hosted Community version)
Our rating
4.6 / 5
Key features of n8n
A visual automation studio that accepts code, self-hosts and natively speaks the language of LLMs.
Visual workflows that accept code
n8n is driven in a visual node editor, but never locks you in: a Code node (JavaScript or Python) fits anywhere the visual logic reaches its limits. Complex data transformations, exotic API calls, fine deduplication — this no-code/code blend is exactly what Zapier lacks.
AI agents and native LLM integrations
This is why n8n has exploded: the AI nodes let you build agents with memory, tools and decision logic, connected to OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral or a local model. Lead qualification, email triage, content generation, RAG on your documents: we build systems for our clients that would have required weeks of development three years ago.
Self-hosting: your data under control, your costs under control
The Community version installs on your own server (Docker): unlimited runs at no extra cost, and data that never leaves your infrastructure. For workflows handling client data, that's a decisive compliance argument against per-task-billed American platforms.
Hundreds of integrations, and a universal HTTP node
The catalogue of native connectors covers the major tools, and the HTTP Request node lets you hit any REST API with managed authentication. Fewer ready-made connectors than Zapier, but no real dead ends: anything with an API connects.
Built for production
Error handling via dedicated workflows, queues, execution history, environment variables, versioning: n8n behaves like a real engineering tool. That's what lets us put our automations into production at clients, with supervision, rather than tinkering.
n8n pricing
Publisher prices observed in August 2026, excl. VAT. To be checked on the official website.
| Plan | Price | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Community (self-host) | 0 € | Source code available, unlimited runs, self-hosted |
| Starter (cloud) | ≈ €20/month | 2,500 workflow runs/month, managed hosting |
| Pro (cloud) | ≈ €50/month | 10,000 runs/month, projects and roles, enhanced support |
| Enterprise | Custom quote | SSO, separate environments, air-gapped deployment, dedicated support |
Strengths and limits
Maximum power, maximum demands: our field report.
What we like
- Unlimited free runs when self-hosted
- Native AI agents: LLM, memory, tools, RAG
- Total flexibility: from no-code to code in the same workflow
- Data kept on your infrastructure: a strong GDPR argument
- Cloud pricing per workflow run, not per unit task
- Very active community, thousands of shared templates
What may hold you back
- A steep learning curve for non-technical profiles
- Self-hosting = maintenance, updates and monitoring to shoulder yourself
- A "fair-code" licence, not open source in the strict OSI sense
- Fewer native connectors than Zapier (the HTTP node compensates)
THE AGENCY VERDICT
Our review of n8n
n8n has become the engine of most of our AI workflows: its agent nodes, its fine-grained data handling and the ability to mix no-code and code make it the most powerful tool in its category. Self-hosted, it removes per-task billing and keeps your data with you — a real GDPR argument. The learning curve is real: it's a builder's tool, not one for a marketer in a hurry. For serious AI-centred automations, it is our first choice.
Would you like support setting up and running n8n? Discover our AI agency.
— EXOA AGENCY
Alternatives to n8n
Other tools we use or have tested, depending on need and budget.
Ready to test n8n ?
Discover the tool by yourself, or let our team support you to get the most out of it from the first month.