n8n (pronounced n-eight-n) is an open-source workflow automation platform built for technical teams who want full control over how they connect apps, manage sensitive data, and design complex workflows. It uses a visual interface where each step in an automated workflow is represented by a node, making it easier to map out logic even for complex systems.

You can also self-host it on your own server or use the managed cloud version, while maintaining ownership of data. Unlike most tools, n8n lets you write JavaScript code or Python for advanced logic, giving developers far more customization than typical no-code platforms.

What is n8n workflow automation?

n8n is a workflow automation tool that lets you create workflows by connecting multiple apps, services, and databases into a single automated sequence. Compared to closed platforms like Zapier, n8n is built on an open-source model, meaning its code is publicly available and fully customizable. Whether you're handling a new form submission, syncing a database, or routing a Slack message, n8n handles it through a chain of action nodes that execute in a defined order.

How does n8n work?

Every automated workflow in n8n starts with a trigger node, which could be a schedule trigger, a webhook, or a new form submission. Once triggered, all nodes in the workflow run in sequence, each performing a specific job, such as fetching data, sending a Slack message, or making HTTP requests to external services.

You can use built-in nodes for popular apps or write JavaScript code inside a function node for advanced logic and data transformation. The visual interface makes it easy to see and edit the full flow. This feature gives developers the option to switch to code whenever the complex setup requires it.

How much does n8n cost?

n8n's Starter plan, priced at $24/month, is a great way to check out the platform. It comes with a two-week free trial, no credit card required, and gives you 2,500 workflow executions per month, 1 shared project, 5 concurrent executions, and 50 AI Workflow Builder credits. It's designed for individuals who want to explore the platform before committing to a paid plan.

If you want to upgrade for more advanced features, the other paid plans are worth trying. Similar to the Starter plan, both the Pro and Business subscription tiers have a two-week free trial.

Here’s a quick breakdown of each:

• Pro ($60/month): Built for solo builders and small teams already running workflows in a live environment. It steps up the Starter with 10,000 monthly executions, 3 shared projects, 20 concurrent executions, 150 AI Workflow Builder credits, workflow history, global variables, and admin roles.
• Business ($960/month): Aimed at companies with fewer than 100 employees that need more collaboration tools and room to scale. It's self-hosted and offers 40,000 monthly executions, SSO/SAML/LDAP support, version control via Git, different environments for dev and production, and 6 shared projects.
• Enterprise (custom pricing): Designed for larger organizations that have strict compliance, security, and governance requirements. This tier includes unlimited shared projects, 200+ concurrent executions, dedicated support with an SLA, log streaming, and extended data retention.

What AI models does n8n support?

n8n works with various AI models, including OpenAI's GPT models, Google's Gemini, Anthropic's Claude, and Mistral, among others. You connect them by adding your API key in the credentials panel, which usually takes a couple of minutes. Once connected, you can plug any of these models into a workflow to do things like summarize text, answer questions, or classify incoming data.

n8n also supports LangChain, which lets you build more advanced AI agents that can remember context, use tools, and take actions across multiple steps. It's one of the more flexible setups if you want AI to do real work inside your existing processes.

Is n8n the right automation tool for me?

n8n is the kind of platform for users who frequently work with data, manage tools across multiple platforms, or doing the same digital tasks repeatedly. This tool gives you more flexibility, control, and transparency compared to automation platforms.

However, it’s not the easiest starting point if you’ve never worked with APIs or webhooks before. n8n has quite a learning curve, especially with self-hosting. That said, if you’re goal is to automate simple tasks, tools like Zapier and Make offer a faster setup. But if your use case involves custom code or data transformation, trying n8n out is worth the investment.

FAQs:

How to build AI workflows using n8n?

When building AI workflows with n8n, consider following this step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Create a new workflow.

Open n8n, click "Create Workflow," and give it a name that reflects what it's going to do.

Step 2: Set your trigger.

Choose what starts the workflow. You may use a scheduled time, an incoming form response, or a message from another app as your triggers. In fact, they are the most common starting points.

Step 3: Add and configure an AI node.

Select the AI model you want to use, then enter your API key in the credentials section to activate it. n8n supports models like OpenAI, Gemini, and Claude.

Step 4: Chain your action nodes.

Connect additional nodes before or after the AI step to handle supporting tasks. This process can be done through any of the following: pulling data from a spreadsheet, processing a response, or sending the output somewhere useful.

Step 5: Test and activate.

Use the visual editor to run a test and see how data moves through each step. Once everything looks right, activate the workflow and it runs automatically from that point on.

How many integrations does n8n support?

n8n currently connects to over 500 apps through its built-in node library, covering a wide range of tools from productivity suites and CRMs to developer platforms and communication tools. Some of the platforms that can integrate with n8n include:

• Google Sheets
• Slack
• Gmail
• HubSpot
• Notion
• GitHub
• Telegram
• AWS
• Microsoft 365

Each integration comes pre-built, so you're not writing connection logic from scratch. Instead, you just configure the node with your credentials and it's ready to use.

Can you connect AI agents to third-party apps in n8n?

Yes. You can build an AI agent using n8n's LangChain nodes and then connect it to any of the platform's integrations. For example, an agent could read incoming support tickets, decide how to categorize them, update a database, and notify the right team member, all in one automated sequence. You set the trigger, define what the agent can do, and let the workflow handle the rest.

How to self-host n8n on a server?

Self-hosting n8n is the most popular option for teams that want full ownership of their setup and data. The quickest way to get it running is through Docker.

Here's how the process works:

1. Pull the official n8n Docker image.

   Run the official n8n image from Docker Hub. This is the fastest way to get the platform on your server without building anything from scratch.

2. Set your environment variables.

   Configure the basic environment variables, which could be your database connection, timezone, and host URL. This tells n8n how to run and where to store data.

3. Connect a database.

   Link n8n to a database like PostgreSQL so your workflows and credentials are saved permanently, even if the server restarts. Without this, your data won't persist between sessions.

4. Deploy on a cloud VPS.

   Most people run their self-hosted instance on a basic cloud virtual private server (VPS). It keeps costs low while giving a stable, always-on environment that's accessible anytime.

5. Follow n8n's documentation.

   n8n provides detailed documentation that walks you through every part of the setup. The process is straightforward enough, even for users without prior self-hosting experience.