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n8n MCP servers: which one to use

Use n8n's built-in MCP server to run and edit workflows on your instance. Add n8n-MCP when the AI must know n8n's nodes and templates to build well.

Servers
66
active
Hosted
5
nothing to install
Local
47
runs on your machine

n8n ships its own MCP server inside the app, so you do not need a separate package to let Claude or ChatGPT find and run your workflows. You turn it on under Settings, then Instance-level MCP, and choose which workflows to expose. Community servers add what the built-in one lacks, such as a large node and template library or admin tools for users and projects. Any server that edits workflows can break live automations, so back them up first and test on a copy.

Good for

  • n8n users who want Claude or ChatGPT to find, run and test their workflows
  • Builders who want an AI to design new workflows with correct nodes and settings
  • Admins who manage users, projects and executions across an instance
  • Teams on older self-hosted n8n who need workflow files that match their version

Which n8n MCP server to use

Use the built-in server first, because it is made by n8n and works with your instance directly. Add n8n-MCP when you want the AI to build workflows with the right nodes, or ifmelate's server to write workflow files offline without an n8n connection.

ServerOfficialRunsSign-inChanges your n8nGitHub stars
n8n built-inThis pageOfficialHostedLocalAccountYesโ€“
n8n-MCPCommunityHostedLocalAPI keyYes23.2K
n8n MCP Server (Leonard Sellem)CommunityLocalAPI keyYes1.6K
Workflow Builder (makafeli)CommunityLocalAPI keyYes549
Workflow Builder (salacoste)CommunityLocalAPI keyYes236
mcp-n8n (leonardosepulvedat)CommunityLocalAPI keyYes21
n8n Workflow Builder MCP (ifmelate)CommunityLocalNo sign-inNo52

All n8n MCP servers

66 active ยท official first, then by GitHub stars

Show all 66

Questions

Does n8n have an official MCP server?

Yes. n8n has a built-in MCP server on every instance, Cloud or self-hosted. An owner or admin turns it on under Settings, then Instance-level MCP.

What can the built-in n8n MCP server do?

Clients can search your workflows, run and test the ones you expose, and create or edit workflows and data tables. Editing workflows needs n8n 2.13.0 or newer, according to the n8n docs.

Does it expose all my workflows?

No. You enable MCP for the instance and then switch on each workflow you want available. The exception is workflow search, which can preview any workflow your user can view.

Can I limit which workflows each client sees?

No. Every connected client, such as Claude Desktop and ChatGPT, sees all the workflows you enabled. You can revoke a single client's access in the settings.

What is the difference between the built-in server and n8n-MCP?

The built-in server works on your own workflows. n8n-MCP adds documentation for thousands of n8n nodes and a template library, so the AI picks the right nodes. Its README says its n8n management tools need your n8n API URL and key.

Is n8n-MCP free?

The open-source server is MIT licensed and you can self-host it. Its README also lists a hosted service with a free tier of 100 tool calls per day.

Which one is safest to start with?

The built-in server, because you pick the workflows it can reach and can revoke each client. n8n-MCP's README adds a warning to never edit production workflows with AI and to keep backups.

Can I stop an AI from deleting workflows?

With n8n-MCP, yes. Its README shows how to switch off the create, update, delete and credential tools for a read-only setup. The built-in server only reaches workflows you switch on.

Which one works without a running n8n instance?

ifmelate's workflow builder writes workflow JSON files locally and does not need a running n8n. You import the files yourself.

Server facts from the official MCP registry, GitHub, npm, PyPI and the Docker catalog. Archived servers are not listed.