n8n
What is n8n?
N8n is an open-source workflow automation platform for technical teams that want to connect apps, build AI agents, and automate business processes without giving up control over logic. It combines a Visual workflow builder, Custom API connections, Pre-built nodes, On-premises deployment, AI Workflow Builder, Real-time alerts, Insights Dashboard, and Security & Compliance. The platform cites 400+ pre-configured integrations and 9,500+ workflow templates, and shows Vodafone and Huel among its users. Plans run Starter $20/mo, Pro $50/mo, Business $800/mo, and Enterprise Contact Sales.
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At a glance
- N8n is best for technical teams who need flexible, self-hosted workflow automation.
- Free plan; Starter $20/mo; Pro $50/mo; Business $800/mo; Enterprise custom
- 14 days, no credit card
- Yes — Complete API for integration and automation; n8n also supports custom API requests, webhooks, and imported cURL commands.
What does n8n do?
N8n is an open-source workflow automation platform for technical teams that want to connect apps, build AI agents, and automate business processes without giving up control over logic. It serves builders who need visual workflow design, custom code, and deployment flexibility across cloud or self-hosted environments. The platform combines a visual workflow builder, pre-built nodes, custom API connections, and AI Workflow Builder tools so teams can move data, trigger actions, and debug complex automations on one canvas. N8n says it has 400+ pre-configured integrations, 9,500+ workflow templates, and 187,821 GitHub stars. Customers and users highlighted on its site include Vodafone, Huel, Microsoft, Wayfair, and Zendesk. It also supports Docker deployment, self-hosting on your own infrastructure, and a complete API for integration and automation.
Why use n8n?
- Open-source and self-hostable, so teams can keep automations on their own infrastructure when data control matters.
- The canvas supports both visual building and custom code, which suits technical teams that outgrow simple no-code tools.
- 400+ pre-configured integrations and custom API requests reduce dependence on native connectors alone.
- Execution-based pricing avoids charging per step or per user, which fits high-volume workflow automation.
- Enterprise options include SSO, SAML, LDAP, log streaming, and extended data retention for governance-heavy environments.
Who is n8n for?
- Automation engineers who need to connect many apps and handle complex logic without boilerplate.
- Platform teams who want self-hosted deployment and tighter control over data residency.
- RevOps and sales ops teams who need CRM and lead workflows across multiple systems.
- AI builders who want to prototype agents, RAG flows, and tool-using automations visually.
What are n8n's key features?
Custom API connections
Connect to services through HTTP, GraphQL, and imported cURL commands when no native node exists, so niche systems still fit into the workflow.
Visual workflow builder
Design automations on a canvas with instant feedback, making it easier to map complex logic and trace each step of an AI agent.
Pre-built nodes
Use 400+ pre-configured integrations to avoid repetitive setup and connect common apps faster than wiring every request by hand.
On-premises deployment
Run n8n on your own infrastructure with Docker or Kubernetes, which helps teams control data location and internal deployment policies.
Real-time alerts
Get notified when workflows need attention so teams can react quickly to failures, delays, or unexpected execution behavior.
AI Workflow Builder
Build AI workflows with credits tied to plan limits, helping teams prototype agentic automations without starting from scratch.
Insights Dashboard
Review workflow history and execution insights over 7, 30, or 365 days, which helps teams spot bottlenecks and track production usage.
Security & Compliance
Support SSO, SAML, LDAP, external secret store integration, log streaming, and SOC 2-oriented governance needs for regulated deployments.
What are n8n's use cases?
Lead automation
RevOps and sales ops teams use n8n to route inbound leads, enrich records, and notify reps, using the Visual workflow builder to map each step. Pre-built nodes and Custom API connections help them keep CRM data synchronized without hand-built glue code.
AI agent workflows
AI builders use n8n to assemble agentic workflows that call tools, fetch context, and hand off tasks, using AI Workflow Builder and AI nodes. The canvas makes it easier to trace reasoning and iterate before pushing the workflow into production.
Self-hosted automation
Platform teams use n8n to run internal automations on their own infrastructure, using On-premises deployment and Self-Hosting Option to meet data-control requirements. They can still connect apps, monitor runs, and keep workflows under governance.
How does n8n work?
- Open the visual editor and create your first workflow on the canvas, then choose a starting trigger that matches the business event you want to automate.
- Add apps with pre-built nodes or Custom API connections, and import a cURL command when you need to reach a service without a native integration.
- Wire triggers and actions together, then use AI nodes, code steps, or workflow templates to shape the logic for your process.
- Test the workflow with built-in debugging, inspect execution history, and adjust variables or branches until the run behaves as expected.
- Deploy on n8n cloud or your own infrastructure, then monitor runs in the Insights Dashboard and refine automations as usage grows.
How much does n8n cost?
Starter
$20/mo, billed annually- 2.5K workflow executions
- 1 shared project
- 5 concurrent executions
- Unlimited users
- 50 AI Workflow Builder credits
- Forum support
Pro
$50/mo, billed annually- 10K workflow executions
- 3 shared projects
- 20 concurrent executions
- 7 days of insights
- 150 AI Workflow Builder credits
- Admin roles
- Global variables
- Workflow history
Business
$800/mo, billed annually- 40K workflow executions
- 6 shared projects
- SSO, SAML and LDAP
- 30 days of insights
- Version control using Git
- Forum support
Enterprise
Contact Sales- Custom number of workflow executions
- Unlimited shared projects
- 200+ concurrent executions
- 365 days of insights
- 1000 AI Workflow Builder credits
- Dedicated support with SLA
- Invoice billing
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n free?
Yes. N8n offers a free plan with basic features, and it also provides a 14-day free trial on Starter or Pro. The trial gives access to Pro features while keeping Starter plan limits, so you can evaluate the product before committing.
Can I self-host n8n?
Yes. N8n can be deployed on your own infrastructure, and the vendor says you can self-host it with Docker or Kubernetes. That gives teams full control over their data and deployment environment.
What platforms does n8n support?
N8n is available on the web and can also be deployed using Docker. The product pages also point to self-hosting documentation, so teams can choose between managed cloud and infrastructure they control.
Where is my data stored?
For hosted plans, n8n says data is stored within the EU on servers in Frankfurt, Germany. For self-hosted plans, data stays on your own servers, which is useful for residency and internal compliance requirements.
Does n8n have an API?
Yes. N8n offers a complete API for integration and automation. The site positions it as part of the product's broader automation stack, alongside custom API requests, webhooks, and workflow-based integrations.
What integrations does n8n support?
N8n lists 400+ pre-configured integrations and shows apps such as Google Sheets, Slack, MySQL, Discord, Postgres, GitHub, Telegram, Notion, Gmail, Airtable, Google Drive, OpenAI, and HubSpot.
How secure is n8n?
N8n points to security and compliance features for enterprise use, including SSO, SAML, LDAP, external secret store integration, log streaming, and extended data retention. Its enterprise page also shows advanced security and DevOps controls.
Can I migrate workflows into n8n?
N8n supports importing cURL commands and building workflows from templates, which can speed up migration from ad hoc scripts or existing API-based automations. The platform also includes workflow history and version control in higher plans.
Editor's read
Check the execution ceiling on Starter and Pro before standardizing on them: Starter includes 2.5K workflow executions and Pro 10K. If your automations are volume-heavy, the jump to Business at $800/mo changes the economics quickly.
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