Source-backed analysis7
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
7 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 12, 2026
How we review
Nod Review
n8n's open-source personal agent that runs on your machine and asks before acting
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Fact-checked
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- Web
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Nod suits technical users who want an autonomous agent on their own machine, with their choice of model and their data kept local. The trade-offs: it is a brand-new research preview, schedules need an always-on machine, and its safety figures so far come only from the developer.
Best for: Technical users who want an agent on their own machine with a model of their choice, including local models
Skip it if: Anyone who needs a hosted, production-stable service without installing and keeping a machine running
Pros
- Open source under Apache 2.0; the software is free and only model usage costs money
- Works with 30+ model providers or local models via Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM and llama.cpp
- Asks before actions your rules do not cover; the trust check, password vault and spending limits are enforced by the server, not just the prompt
Cons
- A research preview that the site itself calls an experiment that can make mistakes; the Windows build is still a preview
- Schedules run only while the host is on and awake; an always-on machine is recommended
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
More pros
- Fast release cadence (0.6.0 to 0.6.2 within three days) and a clear vulnerability disclosure policy
More cons
- The safety check relies on a model's judgment; the README reports Claude Haiku 5.5 let 8 unsafe actions through in 240 test decisions
- Usage-data sharing with n8n is on by default for new users, and app connections go through an n8n-hosted service by default
Best for
- People already in the n8n ecosystem who want an open-source personal agent
Skip it if
- Anyone who wants to delegate sensitive tasks without reviewing approval prompts
Experience & key features
Nod is an open-source personal agent from the team behind n8n; it is a separate app, not the n8n AI Assistant. It runs on your own machine with its own Linux workspace and Chromium browser, and handles errands such as chasing invoices, preparing for calls and cancelling trials on real websites. According to the site and README, Nod asks before actions your request does not cover.
Per the README, Nod is a Node server plus Docker containers for the Linux workspace, the Chromium browser and a PostgreSQL database. You pick the model: 30+ providers, your own server or a local model, or sign in with a ChatGPT Plus or Pro plan. The docs list chat in the app, on Telegram and on WhatsApp, plus connections to Gmail, Calendar, Slack, Notion and Linear through Composio, MCP, APIs and CLIs.
On safety, the README says the trust check, password vault, payments and spending limits run in the server, results from apps and the web are treated as untrusted data, and provider keys stay outside the sandbox. It also acknowledges that the check relies on a model’s judgement and reports a smaller model letting 8 unsafe actions through in 240 decisions. These figures come from the developer; we found no independent evaluation.
Pricing and who it fits
The software is free; you pay your model provider, or nothing with a local model. Schedules only run while the machine is on, so n8n suggests a Mac mini or your own server. If you want an agent that is already hosted in the cloud, compare Manus; if you also want to run an open-source agent yourself, put Nod next to OpenClaw. Nod fits people who want control and accept a preview.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 12, 2026
Nod (open source)
PersonalFree
Free to download under Apache 2.0. You connect your own model provider (or sign in with a ChatGPT Plus or Pro plan) and pay that provider directly. Nod records estimated costs in Usage and, with API models, stops at a monthly limit you set. A managed hosted version is on the roadmap and not yet available.
- Free plan limits
- n8n sells no paid tier for Nod; the only cost is the AI model you use, or nothing with a local model.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
Not applicable since the software is free; model fees follow each provider’s own terms.
Privacy
Per the product site and README, the database, files, memory and saved logins stay on the machine or server running Nod; model services, apps and websites receive the data they need for each task. App connections go through n8n and Composio by default. According to n8n’s privacy policy, Nod sends usage data to n8n by default (screens opened, features used, onboarding and in-app survey answers, a random install ID); turning off "Share usage data" under Settings, Privacy & data stops it at once. Conversation traces are sent only if you turn them on, have known secrets and personal identifiers removed, are kept for 14 days and are not used to train AI models.
Nod alternatives
7.5/10n8n
Fair-code workflow automation, on the cloud or self-hosted
6.5/10OpenClaw
Open-source AI assistant you run yourself and talk to through chat apps
Controversies & incidents
Issues documented by the press, regulators, courts or the vendor itself. Every item is sourced; unproven claims are labelled as allegations. Last researched: Nov 12, 2026
No significant controversies or incidents found in the sources we checked.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nod free?
The software is free under Apache 2.0. You pay the AI model provider you connect; Nod shows estimated costs in Usage.
Which platforms does Nod run on?
Mac (macOS 14 or later), Windows 11 (preview), or your own server. The README also describes running from source on macOS or Linux.
Can Nod use local models?
Yes, through Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM or llama.cpp. Per the site, the model needs tool calling and a 64,000-token context, and small models are less reliable at the safety check.
Does Nod send data to n8n?
Yes. Per n8n’s policy, Nod sends usage data such as screens opened, features used and a random install ID by default; turn it off under Settings, Privacy & data. Conversation traces are sent only if you turn them on.
Review evidence & sources7
Scores
- Ease of use
- 6.0
- Features
- 7.5
- Value for money
- 8.0
- Performance
- 6.5
- Support
- 6.0
- Privacy & security
- 7.0
Why this score
Desktop apps for Mac and Windows, with chat in the app, Telegram or WhatsApp. But it is a preview, Windows is not final, schedules need an always-on host, and the sources opened show an English-only interface.
Why this score
A real browser, its own Linux workspace, editable memory, schedules, spending limits, and connections to Gmail, Calendar, Slack, Notion and Linear via Composio, MCP, APIs and CLIs. Broad for a personal agent, but no independent reviews yet.
Why this score
Free software under Apache 2.0; the only cost is model usage, possibly none with a local model. There is no paid tier or hosted offering to compare yet.
Why this score
The README reports 98% of tasks finished, 0 unsafe actions across 678 runs and 93.2% on LongMemEval-S, all vendor-reported in simulated environments with no independent verification. Local models need tool calling and a 64,000-token context.
Why this score
Docs, GitHub issues and discussions, n8n’s Discord and community forum, and a disclosure policy that aims to acknowledge reports within 3 business days. No email or ticket support appears; help is community-only.
Why this score
Data, memory and logins stay local and local models are supported. Deductions: usage sharing is on by default for new users (it can be turned off) and app connections default to an n8n-hosted service. An agent that holds real logins carries more risk than an ordinary app.
Sources
- Vendor-providedNod official siteNov 12, 2026
- Vendor-providedNod GitHub repository and READMENov 12, 2026
- Vendor-providedNod GitHub releasesNov 12, 2026
- Vendor-providedNod security policy (SECURITY.md)Nov 12, 2026
- Vendor-providedn8n privacy policyNov 12, 2026
- Community-reportedProduct Hunt launch pageNov 12, 2026
- Vendor-providedNod documentationNov 12, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- n8n
- Headquarters
- Germany
- Launched
- 2026
- Category
- AI
Capabilities
- AI features
- Open source
- Self-hostable
- Integrations
Platforms
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- Web
Interface languages
- English
Integrations
- Gmail
- Google Calendar
- Slack
- Notion
- Linear
- Telegram
- Composio
- MCP
- Ollama
- LM Studio
Support
- Help center
- Community forum
Change history
- Launch.Launched on Product Hunt, ranked #1 of the day with 245 points per its product page.
- Feature.Release nod-v0.6.0 published (followed by 0.6.1 on 10 Nov and 0.6.2 on 11 Nov).
- Launch.The n8n-io/nod repository was created on GitHub.
About the author
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