What is n8n and How Does It Work?
n8n is an open-source tool for automating workflows between applications. You connect services using a visual editor with nodes (actions) and triggers (starting conditions). You can run it yourself on your own server or use n8n's hosted cloud service. It has over 400 integrations and supports custom JavaScript for logic that standard nodes cannot handle.
n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that connects your apps and services without requiring code. You build automations visually using nodes and triggers.
What n8n Is
n8n is a workflow automation platform. You use it to connect two or more applications and automate what happens between them. A basic example: when a new row is added to a Google Sheet, send a Slack message and create a task in your project management tool. n8n handles the coordination without you writing code. It is open source, which means the software is publicly available and you can inspect, modify, or self-host it.
How It Works: Nodes and Triggers
Every n8n workflow starts with a trigger node that decides when the workflow runs. This could be a schedule (every day at 9am), an incoming webhook (when an external service sends data), or an event in a connected app (a new email, a form submission). From the trigger, you chain action nodes that do things: read data, transform it, write it somewhere else, send messages, create records, or call an API. Each node is configured through a form interface where you pick options and map data from previous steps.
Self-Hosted vs n8n Cloud
One of n8n’s defining features is that you can run it on your own server. This means your workflow data stays within your infrastructure, which matters for organisations with privacy or compliance requirements. You install n8n on a VPS, a Docker container, or a cloud instance and manage it yourself. If you prefer not to handle infrastructure, n8n also offers a hosted cloud version where they manage the server and updates. The cloud version trades control for convenience and has a monthly subscription fee.
What You Can Automate
n8n connects over 400 services out of the box, including CRMs, email platforms, databases, spreadsheets, messaging tools, payment processors, and cloud storage. For anything not covered, the HTTP Request node lets you call any API manually. You can also run custom JavaScript within a workflow for logic that no built-in node handles. This flexibility makes n8n suitable for straightforward automations (forward a form submission to your CRM) and for more complex multi-step processes (receive an order, validate the data, write to a database, send a confirmation email, and log the transaction).
Why Teams Choose n8n Over Alternatives
Compared to Zapier or Make, n8n’s main advantages are cost at scale and data control. On Zapier, you pay per task execution, which adds up quickly for high-volume workflows. On self-hosted n8n, there are no per-execution fees. The open-source model also means you are not locked into a vendor’s roadmap. For a detailed comparison with Microsoft’s automation tool, see n8n vs Power Automate. To start building your first workflow, see creating your first n8n workflow.
Our tip: Start with n8n Cloud’s free trial before committing to self-hosting. You can build and test real workflows without any server setup. If you eventually need self-hosting for cost or privacy reasons, you can export your workflows and run them on your own server without rebuilding from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n free to use?
The core n8n software is open source under a fair-code license, which means you can self-host it for free for most purposes. There is also an n8n Cloud subscription if you prefer not to manage your own server. On the self-hosted version, there are no per-workflow charges, which makes it cost-effective for high-volume automations. The cloud plan has a monthly fee based on the number of workflow executions.
How is n8n different from Zapier or Make?
The main difference is the license and hosting model. Zapier and Make are purely cloud-based SaaS products with per-execution pricing. n8n can be self-hosted, meaning your data does not leave your own server. n8n also allows custom JavaScript within any workflow, giving you more flexibility for complex logic. The trade-off is that self-hosting requires more technical setup than a fully managed service.
How many integrations does n8n support?
n8n supports over 400 built-in integrations covering tools like Slack, Gmail, HubSpot, PostgreSQL, Airtable, Stripe, GitHub, and many others. It also has an HTTP Request node for connecting to any API that is not on the built-in list. Because the tool is open source, the community continuously adds new integrations that you can install alongside the core product.
Do I need to know how to code to use n8n?
No coding experience is needed for most workflows. You connect nodes visually, configure parameters through a form interface, and test as you build. For more complex logic, like parsing a custom data format or running calculations, you can write JavaScript in the Code node. Many useful workflows involve no code at all. If you want to see how it works in practice, read the article on creating your first n8n workflow.