n8n Pricing Model 2025: A Shift from Steps to Executions for Smarter Automation Costs

n8n Pricing Model 2025: A Shift from Steps to Executions for Smarter Automation Costs

In today’s business world, workflow automation has become a key factor in improving efficiency, reducing manual tasks, and cutting operational costs. One of the most popular tools in this space is n8n, an open-source automation platform trusted by startups and enterprises worldwide.

In 2025, n8n introduced a major change: a new pricing model that charges based on executions instead of steps. This update reshapes the way businesses approach automation costs, making the system more transparent, fair, and scalable.

The Old Model: Step-Based Pricing

Before 2025, n8n’s pricing structure was based on the number of steps in a workflow. While this worked for smaller workflows, it created challenges for businesses running complex automations.

For example:

A simple workflow with 2 steps could cost less but might run thousands of times.

A complex workflow with 10+ steps could quickly raise costs, even if executed only a few times.

This often led to unpredictable expenses and made it harder for companies to budget accurately.

The New Model: Execution-Based Pricing

The 2025 update shifts the focus from workflow design to workflow usage. Instead of counting steps, n8n now charges based on the total number of executions (workflow runs).

 This means businesses only pay for how often a workflow runs, not how complicated it is.

Why Execution-Based Pricing is Better

1. Transparent Costs

Companies can now easily estimate expenses. Whether a workflow has 2 steps or 20, the cost depends only on how many times it executes.

2. Fair for All Businesses

This model ensures startups, SMEs, and enterprises all pay fairly for actual usage, rather than workflow design complexity.

3. Encourages Innovation

Users no longer have to worry about adding extra steps to workflows. Teams can experiment with automation freely without hidden costs.

4. Scalable with Growth

As businesses grow and run more automations, they can upgrade to higher plans smoothly. The pricing scales naturally with execution volume.

Real-World Example

Imagine a marketing agency running automations to handle email campaigns, social media posts, and CRM updates:

Old Model (Step-Based): Each process with multiple steps increased costs significantly.

New Model (Execution-Based): Costs remain the same regardless of steps. The agency pays only for the total number of campaigns executed monthly.

This makes budgeting much easier and encourages agencies to automate more without fear of higher bills.

Who Benefits Most from the New Pricing?

Startups → Access affordable plans while keeping automation flexible.

Small & Medium Businesses (SMBs) → Control costs and avoid budget surprises.

Enterprises → Handle millions of executions with predictable expenses.

Conclusion

The new execution-based pricing model marks an important milestone for n8n and its users. By moving away from step-based pricing, the platform delivers greater fairness, cost transparency, and long-term scalability.

For businesses of all sizes, this change means more control over budgets, freedom to innovate, and the confidence to scale automation without hidden costs.

If your company is looking to optimize workflow automation in 2025, n8n’s new pricing model could be the smartest move forward.