OVERALL CONTROL / 0.6-customer-control
Grades and scoring
Data access
25% of the overall score before applicability adjustment.
Scored answers and evidence
Read interface 7.5/10
Structured API for the declared product scope
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
n8n’s public API exposes workflow definitions within the key’s permissions. Workflow JSON export is separate from credentials and execution history.
n8n workflow public API ↗
GET workflows and workflow fields · Checked 2026-10-22
Bulk delivery 8.8/10
Batched or iterable API requests
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Follow nextCursor through the workflow collection; preserve list selection across pages.
n8n workflow public API ↗
GET workflows and workflow fields · Checked 2026-10-22
Query expressiveness 8.8/10
Documented structured API filters
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Workflow-list parameters select the accessible workflows and their metadata.
n8n workflow public API ↗
GET workflows and workflow fields · Checked 2026-10-22
Access cost barrier 5.0/10
Higher plan, separately licensed add-on or fixed recurring access fee
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
The API is unavailable during the Cloud free trial; an upgraded account is required for that route. Self-hosted licensing needs separate assessment.
n8n API keys and scoped access ↗
API unavailable during the free trial · Checked 2026-10-22
Third-party accessibility
20% of the overall score before applicability adjustment.
Scored answers and evidence
Third-party eligibility 10.0/10
Customer authorization without discretionary provider approval
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Users create expiring API keys in Settings and send X-N8N-API-KEY. Enterprise supports scoped keys; trial accounts cannot use this API.
n8n API keys and scoped access ↗
Feature availability, Create an API key and Workflow scopes · Checked 2026-10-22
Downstream permission -
-
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Processing, AI-use, redistribution and other downstream contractual permissions were not settled by this technical review.
n8n API keys and scoped access ↗
Feature availability, Create an API key and Workflow scopes · Checked 2026-10-22
External action
15% of the overall score before applicability adjustment.
Scored answers and evidence
Write interface 7.5/10
Create and update in one business domain
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Create and update workflow definitions and activate or deactivate workflows with the corresponding scope.
n8n workflow public API ↗
Create, Update, Activate and Deactivate workflows · Checked 2026-10-22
Custom application path 10.0/10
Customer applications using fixed APIs without provider selection
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
The documented interface can connect customer application code within its authorization and resource scope.
n8n API keys and scoped access ↗
Feature availability, Create an API key and Workflow scopes · Checked 2026-10-22
Continuity
15% of the overall score before applicability adjustment.
Scored answers and evidence
Refresh mechanism 5.0/10
Scheduled feeds or recurring extracts
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Repeat the assessed collection traversal to reconcile current state. Native change delivery and retained replay were not established in this review.
n8n cursor pagination ↗
nextCursor traversal · Checked 2026-10-22
Limit visibility -
-
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
A numeric request budget and recovery contract were not established by the reviewed references.
n8n workflow public API ↗
GET workflows and workflow fields · Checked 2026-10-22
CDC and deletion capture 2.5/10
Full snapshots permit customer reconciliation; native deltas unverified
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Compare complete scoped snapshots to reconcile missing records; native deletion identities and intermediate changes were not established.
n8n cursor pagination ↗
nextCursor traversal · Checked 2026-10-22
Replay and gap recovery 2.5/10
Rebuild from a fresh snapshot; no historical replay established
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Repeat the declared collection or export route to rebuild current state within its permissions and selection limits. Deleted payloads and intermediate history are unverified.
n8n workflow public API ↗
GET workflows and workflow fields · Checked 2026-10-22
Data exit
20% of the overall score before applicability adjustment.
Scored answers and evidence
Export custody 7.5/10
Customer-held structured files or API records
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
The assessed structured payloads can be retained in customer-held files. Broader contractual reuse rights remain unresolved.
n8n workflow public API ↗
GET workflows and workflow fields · Checked 2026-10-22
Post-cancellation access Disclosure
-
Disclosure only; does not reduce planned-exit credit.
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
The reviewed technical documentation does not establish retrieval rights after account termination.
n8n API keys and scoped access ↗
Feature availability, Create an API key and Workflow scopes · Checked 2026-10-22
Planned migration fidelity 7.5/10
Portable structured records on documented routes; whole-product completeness unverified
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Workflow JSON can be imported into another compatible n8n instance. Credential names and IDs may appear, while credentials and execution histories require separate handling.
n8n workflow JSON export and import ↗
Workflow JSON, credential names and import/export methods · Checked 2026-10-22
Business logic and customization
5% of the overall score before applicability adjustment.
Scored answers and evidence
Logic authoring 7.5/10
Customer-authored native scripts or custom APIs
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Customers configure native workflow definitions and can export JSON. This review does not establish rights to run or redistribute every workflow independently.
n8n workflow JSON export and import ↗
Workflow JSON, credential names and import/export methods · Checked 2026-10-22
Rights to custom logic -
-
n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded.
Ownership and reusable export rights for native workflow artifacts need a separate contractual review.
n8n API keys and scoped access ↗
Feature availability, Create an API key and Workflow scopes · Checked 2026-10-22
Scores are out of 10. * Incomplete evidence discounts verified capabilities (unknown answers stay unknown). Planned migration drives data exit. Scoring method ↗
CUSTOMER CHOICE
Third-party accessibility
Users create expiring API keys in Settings and send X-N8N-API-KEY. Enterprise supports scoped keys; trial accounts cannot use this API.
Confirm who can connect, who owns the credentials and which uses are permitted. Customer consent and provider approval can be separate requirements; the selected plan and contract still matter.
READ / INTEGRATE
API and export routes
Follow nextCursor through the workflow collection; preserve list selection across pages. Workflow-list parameters select the accessible workflows and their metadata.
| Access route | Authentication | Credential owner | Provider approval | Access requirement | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations | API key | Customer | No | Customer-supplied credentials | 2026-10-22 |
Availability depends on your product, plan and agreement. See the documentation below for the requirements of each route.
ECONOMIC ACCESS
Cost, authentication and limits
The API is unavailable during the Cloud free trial; an upgraded account is required for that route. Self-hosted licensing needs separate assessment.
Check API entitlement, credential ownership and rate limits for the route you intend to use. Include review fees, customer-plan upgrades and ongoing access charges in the total.
ACT FROM OUTSIDE
External action
Create and update workflow definitions and activate or deactivate workflows with the corresponding scope.
Validate the supported operation, acting identity and permission scope (read access does not imply write permission). Ambiguous retries and revoked credentials also affect whether an external workflow can run safely.
KEEP ACCESS USEFUL
Continuity
Repeat the assessed collection traversal to reconcile current state. Native change delivery and retained replay were not established in this review.
CDC, deletions and recovery
| Question | Answer / applicable route | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Can ongoing extraction identify updates and deleted records on the declared route? | Full snapshots permit customer reconciliation; native deltas unverifiedn8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Compare complete scoped snapshots to reconcile missing records; native deletion identities and intermediate changes were not established. | n8n cursor pagination ↗nextCursor traversalChecked 2026-10-22 |
| How can extraction recover after missed events or an interrupted consumer? | Rebuild from a fresh snapshot; no historical replay establishedn8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Repeat the declared collection or export route to rebuild current state within its permissions and selection limits. Deleted payloads and intermediate history are unverified. | n8n workflow public API ↗GET workflows and workflow fieldsChecked 2026-10-22 |
Useful ongoing access includes corrections and deletions, not only the first export. A failed request, changed filter or lost resource permission should not be interpreted as a deleted record.
LEAVE WITH YOUR DATA
Data exit and portability
Workflow JSON can be imported into another compatible n8n instance. Credential names and IDs may appear, while credentials and execution histories require separate handling.
Test the output against the destination’s required fields and history. Check stable identifiers, relationships, attachments and extraction time; a sample file proves only the coverage of that sample.
BUILD / INSPECT / REUSE
Business logic and customization
Customers configure native workflow definitions and can export JSON. This review does not establish rights to run or redistribute every workflow independently.
Custom API access, ownership of workflows and the right to export their definitions are separate questions. A custom-app capability alone does not establish that business rules can move to another system.
AGREEMENTS / API DOCS / PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Documented conditions
Answers below come from public provider materials. Every answer retains its source check date, scope (a partner agreement does not describe every customer route). Customer contracts and live behavior still need verification.
| Question | Answer / applicable route | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| What structured read interface is documented? | Structured API for the declared product scopen8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. n8n’s public API exposes workflow definitions within the key’s permissions. Workflow JSON export is separate from credentials and execution history. | n8n workflow public API ↗GET workflows and workflow fieldsChecked 2026-10-22 |
| How can customers retrieve data in bulk? | Batched or iterable API requestsn8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Follow nextCursor through the workflow collection; preserve list selection across pages. | n8n workflow public API ↗GET workflows and workflow fieldsChecked 2026-10-22 |
| What queries can a customer issue outside the provider UI? | Documented structured API filtersn8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Workflow-list parameters select the accessible workflows and their metadata. | n8n workflow public API ↗GET workflows and workflow fieldsChecked 2026-10-22 |
| Who decides whether a chosen third party may connect? | Customer authorization without discretionary provider approvaln8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Users create expiring API keys in Settings and send X-N8N-API-KEY. Enterprise supports scoped keys; trial accounts cannot use this API. | n8n API keys and scoped access ↗Feature availability, Create an API key and Workflow scopesChecked 2026-10-22 |
| What extra commercial condition applies to the routes supplying the assessed read capability, relative to the lowest paid plan? | Higher plan, separately licensed add-on or fixed recurring access feen8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. The API is unavailable during the Cloud free trial; an upgraded account is required for that route. Self-hosted licensing needs separate assessment. | n8n API keys and scoped access ↗API unavailable during the free trialChecked 2026-10-22 |
| Which external write operations are documented? | Create and update in one business domainn8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Create and update workflow definitions and activate or deactivate workflows with the corresponding scope. | n8n workflow public API ↗Create, Update, Activate and Deactivate workflowsChecked 2026-10-22 |
| How can customers connect an application they build or choose? | Customer applications using fixed APIs without provider selectionn8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. The documented interface can connect customer application code within its authorization and resource scope. | n8n API keys and scoped access ↗Feature availability, Create an API key and Workflow scopesChecked 2026-10-22 |
| What mechanism supports repeatable extraction of changes? | Scheduled feeds or recurring extractsn8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Repeat the assessed collection traversal to reconcile current state. Native change delivery and retained replay were not established in this review. | n8n cursor pagination ↗nextCursor traversalChecked 2026-10-22 |
| How are integration limits disclosed? | -n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. A numeric request budget and recovery contract were not established by the reviewed references. | n8n workflow public API ↗GET workflows and workflow fieldsChecked 2026-10-22 |
| Where can a usable data copy be delivered? | Customer-held structured files or API recordsn8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. The assessed structured payloads can be retained in customer-held files. Broader contractual reuse rights remain unresolved. | n8n workflow public API ↗GET workflows and workflow fieldsChecked 2026-10-22 |
| What retrieval rights are documented at cancellation? | -n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. The reviewed technical documentation does not establish retrieval rights after account termination. | n8n API keys and scoped access ↗Feature availability, Create an API key and Workflow scopesChecked 2026-10-22 |
| How can customers define their own business logic? | Customer-authored native scripts or custom APIsn8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Customers configure native workflow definitions and can export JSON. This review does not establish rights to run or redistribute every workflow independently. | n8n workflow JSON export and import ↗Workflow JSON, credential names and import/export methodsChecked 2026-10-22 |
| What rights or portability are documented for custom workflow artifacts? | -n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Ownership and reusable export rights for native workflow artifacts need a separate contractual review. | n8n API keys and scoped access ↗Feature availability, Create an API key and Workflow scopesChecked 2026-10-22 |
| What usable data or native definitions can leave before cancellation? | Portable structured records on documented routes; whole-product completeness unverifiedn8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Workflow JSON can be imported into another compatible n8n instance. Credential names and IDs may appear, while credentials and execution histories require separate handling. | n8n workflow JSON export and import ↗Workflow JSON, credential names and import/export methodsChecked 2026-10-22 |
| What permission is needed for the documented downstream use? | -n8n / public API workflow definitions and workflow mutations; credentials, execution histories, hosting licenses and complete instance migration are excluded. Processing, AI-use, redistribution and other downstream contractual permissions were not settled by this technical review. | n8n API keys and scoped access ↗Feature availability, Create an API key and Workflow scopesChecked 2026-10-22 |
SOURCES / SCOPE / HISTORY
Sources and open questions
This review is based on the documentation below. Live account behavior and customer-specific agreements haven’t been tested.
Still to confirm
- Downstream contractual permissions and post-cancellation retrieval rights
- Complete migration of history, files, permissions and native workflow definitions
Documentation
Assessment checked 2026-10-22. Each answer retains its source and applicable route; the check date does not establish live account behavior.