n8n
About n8nn8n: Open-source workflow automation with full control, integrations, and scalability for technical and non-technical teams.
What is n8n?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform that empowers both developers and non-developers to automate repetitive tasks across online services without drowning in code. Picture yourself drawing a flowchart with little blocks (called “nodes”) that each do something: grab emails, modify data, push updates to an app and then string them together and voilà, your mundane tasks disappear.
This tool shines because it lets you mix intuitive visual editing with custom code. Want to build quick automation fast? Drag-and-drop nodes help you set things up. Need complex logic or AI agent workflows? n8n doesn’t block you so, you can add your own scripts, use HTTP requests, and build as intricate as you like.
Another big win? Flexibility in hosting. You can run it safely on your own servers or choose their cloud offering either way, you keep control, privacy, and scalability in your hands.
Key Features of n8n
- Visual node-based editor: See your automation flow in an easy drag-and-drop interface so, no boilerplate code.
- 400+ pre-built integrations: Plug into popular tools and services instantly with no reinventing the wheel.
- Self-host or cloud deployment: Choose where and how to run it either on your own hardware or via n8n’s cloud.
- AI agent support & templates: Leverage over 600 AI automation templates, build multi-step AI workflows with human-in-the-loop safety and logging.
- Powerful debugging & control: View logs, filter outputs, set guards to maintain control over your workflows, minimize surprises.
Who can use n8n?
- Developers & technical teams: Build complex logic or AI workflows using custom code plus node-based paths.
- IT Ops / DevOps: Automate onboarding, incident enrichment, ticket routing.
- Sales & Marketing: Sync data, generate reports, push insights from reviews.
- Business owners and operations: Schedule tasks, scrape web data, automate invoice processing—no heavy coding needed.
- Automation enthusiasts: Anyone who loves to streamline repetitive tasks and workflows.
Why n8n is better than competitors?
- Flexibility: Unlike closed systems (e.g., Zapier), n8n lets you inject custom code and complex logic.
- Open-source advantage: You own your workflows, can self-host, audit code, and avoid vendor lock-in.
- AI-ready: Native support for AI agents, templates, and human checks outpaces many automation tools.
- Scalability & control: Full control over deployment, budgets, and audit trails that is better for businesses with privacy or compliance needs.
- Cost-effectiveness: With self-hosting, you can drastically cut costs compared to premium subscription services.
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At its core, n8n is a low-code automation platform aimed at building workflows—connections built from “nodes” that trigger actions or process data. The visual editor lets you chain together triggers, logic, API calls, and scripts in one seamless flow.
It’s open-source and self-hostable under a fair-code model. That means unlimited flexibility—you can host it anywhere (your server, cloud, or on-prem), customize it, and use it without license fees, only paying for the infrastructure it runs on.
n8n also offers n8n Cloud, a fully managed version. You get all of n8n’s capabilities plus perks like no technical setup, OAuth app connections with one click, automated upgrades, and production-level support which is ideal for teams that want automation without hands-on infrastructure management.
2019
Berlin, Germany
Private
n8n GmbH, founded in Berlin (Germany), is building the future of intelligent workflow automation. Since its launch, it has earned widespread acclaim and adoption, attracting major investors and customers.
The company offers n8n Cloud—a fully managed, scalable automation platform—and the Community Edition, which is open-source and self-hostable. Pricing tiers range from Starter (€20/month) to Pro, Business, and Enterprise, each progressively adding project limits, SSO, audit logs, environment control, and support.
n8n is active on various social media platforms and communities.
Investors include Sequoia, HV Capital, Felicis, Firstminute, and Runa Capital. In mid-2025, n8n was reportedly raising at a valuation of over $1.5 billion, with around $40 million in annual recurring revenue and over 230,000 active users.
Starter Plan
$20
MonthlyPro Plan
$50
MonthlyBusiness Plan
$730
MonthlyEnterprise Plan
Custom Pricing
CustomWhat is n8n used for?
n8n is used to automate complex, multi-step tasks across different applications and services through a visual, low-code workflow builder, acting as a digital assistant to handle data syncing, alerts, and business processes automatically.
What does n8n stand for?
n8n is primarily a numeronym for n-eight-n, representing the “8” in the middle of the word “nodemation“ (n + 8 letters + n). The name also reflects its nature as an open-source workflow automation tool where users connect nodes (n-to-n) to build workflows. The tool is built using Node.js, and its name is a portmanteau of “node” and “automation”.
Is n8n totally free?
Yes, n8n offers a completely free, self-hosted version for personal and non-commercial use.
Which companies use n8n?
TransForm Shared Service Organization, Northstar Aerospace, STATION F, and Nortera use n8n.
What language is n8n written in?
n8n uses JavaScript (with TypeScript for development) for expressions and the Code node, and also supports Python for the Code node. You can leverage these languages for data transformation within your automated workflows, along with n8n’s built-in functions, or to integrate with APIs and develop custom nodes.
n8n is a hybrid code/no-code interface, which meets both developer demands and business simplicity. Its open-source nature ensures transparency, extensibility, and cost-efficiency unseen in products like Zapier or Make.
Pros
- Full control & self-hosting flexibility: Run it on your own infrastructure with complete data ownership.
- Cost-efficient: No per-step/operation charges—only execution-based pricing.
- Extensible with code: Add custom logic and integrations using JavaScript, Python, or APIs.
- Strong open-source community: Active ecosystem with constant contributions and improvements.
- Highly scalable: Works for solo users, startups, and enterprise-grade automation.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve: Less beginner-friendly than drag-and-drop-only tools like Zapier.
- Requires infrastructure know-how: Self-hosting setup can be challenging for non-technical users.
- Cloud plan costs: Pricing may rise quickly with heavy workflow usage.
- Fewer prebuilt templates: Limited ready-made workflows compared to larger competitors.
- Enterprise plan cost: High-tier features may be expensive for smaller teams.
Final Verdict
n8n stands out as a flexible, open-source, and cost-effective platform for workflow automation. It gives you full control—self-host it for free—or opt for their cloud to simplify deployment. You can scale from hobbyists writing Python nodes to enterprises needing SSO, audit logs, and SLAs. With powerful features baked in and fair pricing, n8n is one of the most compelling automation tools available today.
CA Tushar Makkar
