n8n

Building automated workflows has never been easier, thanks to n8n. This powerful automation platform changes how technical teams connect apps and automate processes by offering both visual drag-and-drop building and custom coding options in one tool.

n8n stands out from other automation tools because it gives you complete control over your data and deployments. Unlike platforms that limit you to either visual building or coding, n8n lets you choose the best approach for each task. Whether you need quick drag-and-drop automation or complex custom logic with JavaScript and Python, this platform handles it all.

With over 400 integrations, native AI capabilities, and options for both cloud hosting and self-hosting, n8n makes workflow automation accessible to everyone from individual developers to large enterprises.

n8n is a fair-code workflow automation platform that uniquely combines visual building with custom coding capabilities. Think of it as a powerful middle ground between simple automation tools and complex programming frameworks.

The platform uses a node-based visual editor where each node represents a specific action like sending emails, updating databases, or calling APIs. You can connect these nodes to create workflows that automate repetitive tasks across hundreds of different apps and services. What makes n8n special is its flexibility – when visual building isn't enough, you can write JavaScript or Python code directly in the workflow.

Founded in 2019, n8n has gained popularity among technical teams because of its fair-code license model, which ensures the source code remains visible and allows self-hosting. The platform serves over 200,000 active users and 3,000+ enterprise customers worldwide, making it one of the most trusted automation tools for developers and technical teams.

Getting started with n8n is straightforward, whether you choose the cloud version or self-hosting. For beginners, sign up for n8n Cloud at n8n.io and start with the free plan to explore the platform.

The interface centers around a visual canvas where you build workflows by dragging and dropping nodes. Start simple: create a new workflow, add a trigger node (like a webhook or schedule), connect it to action nodes (like sending emails or updating spreadsheets), and test your workflow step by step.

Here's how to get the best results:

• Start with templates – Browse 900+ ready-made workflows from the community

• Use the visual debugger – Test individual nodes without running entire workflows

• Combine visual and code – Add JavaScript or Python when you need custom logic

• Leverage AI features – Use built-in AI nodes for content generation and data processing

• Set up proper error handling – Add fallback logic to make workflows reliable

The platform remembers your workflow state, so you can pause, modify, and resume automation easily. Always test workflows thoroughly before deploying them to production.

n8n offers comprehensive features that make it a complete automation solution for technical teams. The platform provides a visual workflow builder with over 400 pre-built integrations covering popular apps like Slack, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and GitHub.

Key features include:

• Visual and code flexibility – Drag-and-drop interface with JavaScript/Python support

• Native AI capabilities – Built-in AI nodes and LangChain integration for creating AI agents

• Self-hosting options – Deploy on your own servers with complete data control

• Advanced debugging tools – Test individual nodes, replay data, and mock external systems

• Template library – Access 900+ community-created workflows

• Enterprise security – SOC2 compliance, SSO, RBAC, and audit logging

• Git integration – Version control and environment management for workflows

• Error handling – Sophisticated retry logic and fallback mechanisms

• Execution modes – Queue mode for high-volume processing (220 executions per second)

The platform also supports webhook triggers, cron scheduling, custom variables, and external secret management through AWS, Azure, and other providers.

n8n offers flexible pricing to fit different needs and deployment preferences. The Community Edition is completely free and open-source, perfect for self-hosting with unlimited workflows.

For cloud hosting, n8n provides several plans:

• Starter Plan – €20 per month (€24 monthly, €20 annually) with 2,500 workflow executions and 5 active workflows

• Pro Plan – €50 per month (€60 monthly, €50 annually) with 10,000 executions and 15 active workflows

• Enterprise Plan – Custom pricing with unlimited executions, advanced security features, dedicated support, and compliance tools

Special offer: Startup plan available for companies with up to 20 employees and under $5M funding.

Unlike competitors that charge per operation or task, n8n charges per complete workflow execution, making costs predictable regardless of workflow complexity. A single workflow with 100 steps costs the same as one with 5 steps, offering significant savings for complex automations.