n8n - The Open Source Workflow Automation Platform

Overview

n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is a powerful, extendable workflow automation tool that puts data ownership and privacy first. As an open-source alternative to platforms like Zapier and Make.com, n8n offers an impressive range of integrations and capabilities with the added benefits of self-hosting and unlimited operations.

Website: n8n.io
Pricing: Free (self-hosted), Cloud plans from $20/month
Type: Workflow Automation Platform
Deployment: Self-hosted or Cloud

Key Features

Visual Workflow Builder

n8n’s drag-and-drop workflow builder offers an intuitive canvas for creating complex automations. The node-based approach allows for:

• Multi-path workflows with conditional branching
• Error handling
• Looping and batching operations
• Easily visualized data flow

Extensive Integration Library

With 300+ built-in integrations (called “nodes”), n8n connects to virtually any service:

• Productivity: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Notion
• CRM/Marketing: HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp
• Development: GitHub, GitLab, Jira
• Finance: QuickBooks, Stripe, PayPal
• Communication: Slack, Discord, Telegram
• AI: OpenAI, HuggingFace, Stability AI

Data Transformation Capabilities

n8n excels at manipulating data between services with:

• Built-in expression editor
• JSON path support
• JavaScript code nodes
• Function collection utilities
• Array and object manipulation

API Creation

Beyond basic integrations, n8n can serve as an API creation tool:

• Webhook triggers for inbound data
• HTTP request nodes for outbound connections
• Custom API endpoints with authentication

Pros and Cons

Advantages

• Complete data ownership - All data remains within your infrastructure
• Unlimited operations - No per-task pricing when self-hosted
• Highly customizable - Custom nodes, JavaScript functions
• Fair-code licensing - Open-source core with sustainable business model
• Active development - Frequent updates and responsive community

Limitations

• Learning curve - More complex than some alternatives
• Self-hosting complexity - Requires technical knowledge
• Performance considerations - Resource requirements scale with workflow complexity

Use Cases

Content Workflow Automation

Publishing workflows that connect content creation tools to distribution channels:

• Pull data from Notion databases
• Generate content with AI tools
• Format and publish to WordPress
• Distribute to social media platforms
• Track performance metrics

Data Integration Pipelines

Creating automated data flows across business systems:

• Sync customer data between CRM and marketing platforms
• Aggregate data from various sources into a central database
• Transform and clean data between systems
• Generate reports and notifications

Development Operations

Streamlining software development processes:

• Automate GitHub issue management
• Trigger deployments from commits
• Run tests and notify teams of results
• Backup code repositories
• Generate documentation

Getting Started

Quick Setup

# Using npm
npm install n8n -g
n8n start

# Using Docker
docker run -it --rm \
  --name n8n \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  n8nio/n8n

First Workflow Tutorial

1. Create a trigger node (HTTP Request, Webhook, Schedule)
2. Add processing nodes (Transform, Filter, Switch)
3. Configure destination nodes (Send Email, Update Database, API Request)
4. Activate workflow
5. Test with sample data

Community and Support

• Documentation: docs.n8n.io
• Forum: community.n8n.io
• GitHub: github.com/n8n-io/n8n
• Discord: Active community with 10,000+ members

Our Assessment

n8n strikes an excellent balance between power and accessibility. While it requires more technical understanding than tools like Zapier, it offers significantly more flexibility and control. For organizations concerned about data privacy or seeking to avoid per-operation pricing, n8n is a standout choice.

Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Best For: Technical teams, agencies handling multiple clients, organizations with data privacy concerns, developers creating custom automation solutions.

Alternative Tools: Zapier, Make.com (Integromat), Pipedream, Airflow