n8n AI Agent vs Chain: Which Should You Use? (2026)
Every n8n builder reaches for the AI Agent by reflex, but a Basic LLM Chain costs roughly 5x less per 1,000 runs on Haiku 4.5. Learn the one mechanical rule that decides which node to use.
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#llm chain
How to Use the Basic LLM Chain in n8n (Your First AI Step)
The n8n Basic LLM Chain is the simplest AI building block: one prompt in, one model response out, no tools, no memory, no loops. Wire it up in minutes and keep your token bill predictable at about $1.40 per 1,000 calls on Claude Haiku 4.5.