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n8n

  • Verified1
n8n is a source-available workflow automation platform offering deep customization through code and a visual UI. Ideal for developers building complex integrations.
  • Pricing: Freemium
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What is n8n?

n8n is a source-available, node-based workflow automation tool engineered for technical users who require granular control. At its core, it is an extensible framework for connecting disparate APIs and services to orchestrate complex data flows. Unlike many platforms, n8n offers a choice between a managed cloud service and a self-hosted instance for complete data sovereignty. It bridges the gap between no-code simplicity and full-code power by enabling custom JavaScript execution directly within workflows, making it a highly adaptable engine for backend automation.

Key Features and How It Works

n8n uses a visual canvas where workflows are built by connecting nodes. Data flows between these nodes as structured JSON objects that can be modified at any point.

  • Extensible Node System: Beyond its 400+ pre-built nodes, n8n’s HTTP Request node acts as a universal connector to any REST API, perfect for custom or internal services.
  • Code-Level Customization: The “Code” node provides a JavaScript runtime with npm package access for arbitrary logic. For platform extension, custom nodes can be built with TypeScript.
  • Flexible Hosting Architecture: Deployable as a Docker container or on Kubernetes, n8n gives DevOps full control over scaling and security. The self-hosted version is source-available.
  • AI Integration: The framework integrates with any language model (LLM) via API, allowing the creation of multi-step AI agents within workflows.

Pros and Cons

Pros Cons
  • Unmatched Flexibility: Inject custom code at any point in a workflow, providing control impossible in purely no-code tools.
  • Source-Available: Inspect the source code, understand its inner workings, and self-host to eliminate vendor lock-in.
  • Powerful Data Handling: Native support for JSON and complex data transformations make it ideal for handling diverse API responses.
  • Cost-Effective Scaling: The self-hosted version can be significantly more economical for high-volume workflows.
  • Technical Prerequisites: Leveraging n8n’s full power requires a solid understanding of APIs, data structures, and often JavaScript.
  • Infrastructure Overhead: Self-hosting requires managing deployment, updates, security, and scalability.
  • UI Complexity: For extremely large and branching workflows, the visual canvas can become difficult to navigate.

Who Should Consider n8n?

n8n is purpose-built for technical teams and individuals who need to create robust, custom automation.

  • Developers & DevOps Engineers: A primary tool for building internal applications, automating CI/CD pipelines, orchestrating infrastructure, and creating custom API integrations.
  • IT & Security Operations: Ideal for automating incident response, enriching security alerts with contextual data, and streamlining user provisioning.
  • Data Teams: Useful for creating lightweight ETL jobs, automating data collection from APIs, and routing processed data to warehouses.
  • Technical Marketers: Enables sophisticated customer data synchronization between CRMs and marketing platforms.

Pricing and Plans

n8n operates on a freemium model offering both cloud and self-hosted options to suit different technical and business requirements.

  • Free Self-Hosted: The core n8n software is source-available and free to self-host. This is ideal for developers and teams who want full control and can manage their own infrastructure.
  • Cloud Pro: Starting from $20 per month, this plan offers a fully managed cloud experience, removing infrastructure overhead. It includes a set number of workflow executions and is designed for professionals who prioritize convenience and scalability.
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing is available for large organizations. This tier offers advanced features like SSO, role-based access control, dedicated support SLAs, and enterprise-grade security for both cloud and self-hosted deployments.

What makes n8n great?

n8n’s greatest strength is its unparalleled extensibility, allowing developers to break free from the constraints of typical low-code platforms. n8n’s design philosophy explicitly embraces code as a first-class citizen. This is manifested in the Code Node, which is not a tacked-on feature but a core component for implementing custom logic, interacting with libraries via npm, and performing complex data manipulations. This dual code/no-code approach means you can rapidly scaffold a workflow with pre-built nodes and then drop down to code to handle unique edge cases. It transforms the tool from a simple connector into a true automation development environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does n8n compare to Zapier?
n8n is architected for technical users. Its key differentiators are its source-available model, self-hosting option, and deep integration of code. Zapier is a no-code platform focused on ease of use for general business users, whereas n8n provides developers with deeper customization and control.
Can I integrate with internal APIs?
Yes, this is a core strength. The generic HTTP Request node can interact with any REST or GraphQL API. For frequently used internal services, you can also develop your own custom nodes to encapsulate the API logic, making it reusable for your team.
Is n8n secure for sensitive data?
Security is robust, especially in the self-hosted version where all data resides within your own infrastructure. n8n also has a built-in Credentials Manager that encrypts sensitive information like API keys, preventing their exposure in workflow definitions.