Workflow Automation and RPA
87TriVista score
Tines
A no-code workflow automation tool built for security and IT teams, which lets a company pick its own AI model.
n8n
AI tool profile ·
A workflow automation tool that developers can self-host for free and extend with their own code inside any step.
68TriVista score
Category rankTied #11 in Workflow Automation and RPA
Baseline ELO1,459.8
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At a glance
What it does
n8n is a workflow automation tool that connects apps and moves data with little or no code, but unlike many rivals it lets a developer write custom code inside a workflow step for more control. It ships under a fair-code license called the Sustainable Use License, so you can self-host it for free with no limit on workflows or steps, or use its managed cloud version on paid plans. It includes nodes built for AI tasks, such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), which grounds an AI model's answers in your own documents. The company behind it, also called n8n, is based in Germany. Enterprise features include single sign-on, SAML, LDAP login, and audit logs.
Where it can help
This fits a team with at least one developer who wants full control over workflows, for internal tools, AI agents, and custom integrations that no-code tools cannot handle. Free self-hosting on a small server is a good starting point for a one-team pilot, with the catch that you manage updates, backups, and security yourself. The managed n8n Cloud starts near $20 to $24 a month, and larger teams needing single sign-on and audit logs should plan for a higher tier priced by request; treat all figures as planning estimates. The main risk is the learning curve: simple workflows are easy, but workflows with error handling and custom code take real time to learn, so budget training before a wider rollout.
Cost guide
What it can cost
These estimates cover licensing, setup, integrations, staff time, security, administration, and support.
| Cost measure | Low | Base | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-year total | $49.3K | $78.3K | $127.1K |
| Three-year total | $103.5K | $157.5K | $245.6K |
| First-year cost per unit | $49.3K | $78.3K | $127.1K |
| Average annual cost per unit (over three years) | $34.5K | $52.5K | $81.9K |
Cost breakdown by scenario
| Component | Low | Base | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing and usage | $13.5K | $18K | $24.3K |
| Implementation | $8.4K | $14K | $23.8K |
| Integration | $9.9K | $18K | $32.4K |
| Staff time and change management | $5.6K | $8K | $11.2K |
| Security | $4.6K | $6.5K | $9.8K |
| Administration | $3.4K | $4.5K | $6.1K |
| Support | $1.7K | $2.2K | $3K |
Estimate assumptions: Based on 1 production deployment. This is a planning allowance, not verified product pricing. Confirm the vendor’s billing unit and current price or quote before budgeting.
Benefits have not been estimated: The current research does not estimate potential savings, return on investment, or how long it would take to recover the cost. Earlier benefit estimates are excluded.
Get started
What you need first
What you need firstSet up the basics
Confirm current product identity, commercial packaging, data processing terms, sign-in and access rules, retention, integrations, support model, implementation effort, and rollback conditions.
How to startSet clear limits
Verify identity, package, availability, ownership, pricing, and security evidence before approving a pilot
Before you scaleSet safe working rules
Recommended next action
Do not approve a pilot yet. Verify the current product identity, package, availability, owner, pricing, and security evidence; then define one workflow, a baseline, and rollback criteria.
Decision ownerBusiness and technology owner
STARTSet a goal and owner
Define what success looks like for a test of n8n and assign someone to lead it.
FIRST MONTHTest one workflow
Once the requirements above are met, compare a small trial with how your team works today.
MONTH TWOReview actual use
Track adoption, output quality, business results, and actual costs against the estimate.
MONTH THREEDecide what comes next
Use the results to decide whether to stop, adjust, or expand the pilot.
Risk profile
Required controls
Security and safe use
Confirm encryption, how the vendor uses your data, customer data separation, how long data stays and how to delete it, activity records, sign-in and user setup, where data is handled, other companies that process data, past incidents, and what your team must manage.
Exit and rollback
Review before rollout: confirm how to export your data, revoke access, and return to your existing workflow. Assign an owner and test the rollback plan before expanding use.
Recommended next step
Do not approve a pilot yet. Verify the current product identity, package, availability, owner, pricing, and security evidence; then define one workflow, a baseline, and rollback criteria.
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Research support
How to learn more about this tool
Where to check the product, price, security, and support.
Official product information
Product reference: n8n.io
Read official information →
Score history
How the rating has changed
Recorded score and category rank across research updates.
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TriVista Score 68.3/100Category rank #11
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