Is n8n Open Source? A Complete Guide to Its Licensing and Use
When people explore automation tools, one of the first questions they ask is: is n8n open source? The short answer is yes, but with some important details. n8n combines open-source flexibility with a unique Sustainable Use License (SUL), designed to balance community freedom and company sustainability.
At Mpire Solutions, we’ve implemented numerous n8n integrations for businesses that wanted cost-effective automation without vendor lock-in. But to truly understand whether n8n fits your business use case, you need to know what open source means in n8n context.
What Does Open Source Mean for n8n?
n8n source code is publicly available on GitHub under the Sustainable Use License (SUL). This license is a modified form of open source that allows individuals, developers, and small businesses to freely use and modify the code.
However, it restricts larger organizations from reselling n8n code or hosting it as a competing service without proper authorization from n8n GmbH the company behind the platform.
In simple terms:
-
You can use n8n freely for personal, educational, or internal business purposes.
-
You can’t offer n8n as a public SaaS alternative or rebrand it for commercial resale.
This balanced model protects the open-source community while sustaining ongoing product innovation.
Is n8n Open Source and Free?
Yes, n8n is open source and free to use, depending on how you host it. There are two main options:
1. Self-Hosted n8n (Completely Free)
You can download n8n from GitHub or Docker and install it on your own server. This method is 100% free, giving you complete control over your workflows, privacy, and data.
Ideal For:
-
Developers building internal automation systems
-
Startups wanting low-cost workflow management
-
Teams managing sensitive data locally
Example:
A marketing manager named Sara runs a small digital agency. Instead of paying for expensive automation platforms, she installs n8n on her VPS. She creates workflows connecting HubSpot, Gmail, and Google Sheets to manage leads automatically. Her setup costs nothing beyond hosting — yet delivers powerful automation.
2. n8n Cloud (Paid with a Free Tier)
For teams that prefer convenience, n8n Cloud offers a managed service. It’s hosted by n8n.io with options for collaboration, backups, and scaling.
Free Tier Includes:
Paid Plans:
Start at around $20/month, ideal for growing teams needing advanced logging, webhooks, and more capacity.
Is n8n Open Source for Commercial Use?
Yes, n8n can be used for commercial purposes with one major rule: you can’t resell or host n8n as your own automation platform.
You can, however:
-
Use it internally within your company
-
Offer services built with n8n (like marketing automation consulting)
-
Integrate it into business workflows to improve productivity
Example:
A SaaS startup uses n8n to automate customer onboarding between Stripe, HubSpot, and Slack. Although their product uses n8n internally, they’re not reselling n8n itself, so their use is fully compliant.
This flexibility makes n8n attractive for consultants, startups, and agencies that want the power of open-source automation without the recurring costs of enterprise software.
Is n8n Open Source or Paid?
Technically, n8n is both open source and paid. The open-source version (self-hosted) is completely free, while n8n Cloud offers premium features with a subscription.
This hybrid approach ensures users get:
It’s a model similar to GitLab or WordPress free to host yourself, paid if you prefer managed services.
Why n8n’s Licensing Model Matters
Unlike purely open-source licenses like MIT or Apache, n8n Sustainable Use License (SUL) prevents unfair commercial exploitation. It allows independent users to innovate freely, but ensures fair use by enterprise vendors.
For developers, it means you can safely build, deploy, and even monetize your workflows as long as you don’t repackage n8n as your own product.
For businesses, it means predictable ownership: you’re not locked into costly SaaS systems, and your automations remain under your control.
How Businesses Benefit from n8n Open Source Model
1. Cost Control
Hosting n8n yourself eliminates recurring software fees. Companies can run hundreds of automated workflows with minimal server costs.
2. Data Privacy
Unlike cloud tools that store workflow data externally, self-hosting n8n ensures that sensitive business or client data stays within your infrastructure.
3. Customization
Developers can extend n8n’s functionality with custom nodes and APIs — ideal for organizations with complex data pipelines or specialized integrations.
4. Integration Flexibility
With over 300+ integrations (including HubSpot, Slack, Discord, and Notion), n8n connects nearly every part of your tech stack.
Example:
A recruitment firm wanted to sync candidate data from LinkedIn, HubSpot CRM, and Google Sheets. Using n8n, they built a workflow that automated this end-to-end saving 10 hours of manual work each week.
How n8n Compares to Fully Open-Source Alternatives
While n8n is open source under SUL, other tools like Node-RED or Huginn use fully open licenses. However, n8n offers a more user-friendly interface, advanced trigger management, and built-in error handling.
In professional use cases, n8n bridges the gap between community-driven freedom and enterprise-grade reliability — something few open-source tools achieve effectively.
Real-Life Scenarios Where n8n Excels
Scenario 1: Marketing Teams
A digital marketing team connects HubSpot forms, Google Sheets, and Slack via n8n to track leads in real time. No coding, no monthly subscription — just automation that works.
Scenario 2: IT Departments
An IT team automates incident alerts between Jira, Microsoft Teams, and email. They self-host n8n internally to meet compliance and security requirements.
Scenario 3: Startups
Founders use n8n to link product analytics, customer onboarding, and support systems replacing costly middleware tools like Zapier or Make.
These examples highlight why businesses of all sizes are exploring integration with n8n to power their internal workflows.
Conclusion
Yes, n8n is open source with thoughtful boundaries. It’s free to use, modify, and host internally, giving businesses flexibility without lock-in.
However, it’s not “free-for-all” open source. The Sustainable Use License ensures ethical commercial use and ongoing development for the community.
For teams looking for transparency, flexibility, and cost efficiency, n8n remains one of the most practical automation tools available today.
FAQs
1. Is n8n entirely free to use?
Yes, n8n is free under the Fair Code license for personal and self-hosted use, though enterprise features and cloud hosting may come with paid plans.
2. Can I use n8n for commercial purposes?
Yes, you can use n8n commercially under its fair-code license, as long as your use complies with the license terms.
3. What are the best open-source alternatives to n8n?
Popular open-source alternatives to n8n include Node-RED, Activepieces, and Huginn, each offering workflow automation capabilities without requiring paid licenses.
4. What programming language is n8n built with?
n8n is primarily built using TypeScript, which runs on Node.js for backend execution.
5. Why do businesses choose n8n over other automation tools?
Because n8n offers flexibility, transparency, and lower costs while supporting deep integrations especially with platforms like HubSpot, Slack, and Google Workspace.
Relevant Guide
How Much Does n8n Cost – 2025 Pricing Guide
HubSpot Content Hub Replace Storyblok CMS in 2025?
How Many Emails Can I Send with HubSpot? A Complete Guide from a HubSpot Consultant
HubSpot Food and Beverage Clients – Transforming the Industry with Integration
HubSpot Xero Integration
Zendo to HubSpot
n8n ollama integration
HubSpot Consulting Needs 
