n8n: Complete Guide to the Open-Source Workflow Automation Platform
n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is one of the fastest-growing workflow automation platforms in the world. Unlike closed platforms like Zapier or Make, n8n is open-source—giving businesses and developers the flexibility to build custom automations, host it on their own servers, and integrate with almost anything.
In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about n8n: what it is, how it works, its features, pricing, benefits, challenges, and real-world use cases.
What is n8n?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that connects different apps, APIs, and services through a visual workflow editor. It enables businesses to:
- Automate repetitive tasks.
- Orchestrate complex multi-step workflows.
- Integrate apps that may not be supported by other platforms.
Unlike Zapier or Workato, n8n gives users full control:
- You can run n8n in the cloud (n8n.cloud).
- Or self-host it on your own servers for full data privacy and customization.
How Does n8n Work?
At its core, n8n works with nodes and workflows:
- Nodes – Each node represents an app, API, or operation (e.g., Gmail, Slack, HTTP Request).
- Workflow – A series of nodes connected to create an automation pipeline.
- Trigger Node – Starts the workflow (e.g., “When a new email arrives”).
- Action Nodes – Steps that follow (e.g., “Save attachment to Google Drive,” “Send Slack notification”).
👉 Unlike Zapier’s simple “trigger-action” design, n8n supports advanced workflows with loops, conditions, branching logic, and custom code.
Key Features of n8n
- Open Source – Free to use, self-hostable, and customizable.
- Visual Workflow Builder – Drag-and-drop interface with nodes.
- API Integrations – 350+ pre-built nodes for popular apps + custom API calls.
- Code Nodes – Add custom JavaScript for advanced logic.
- Conditional Logic – Complex branching, error handling, and loops.
- Webhooks – Trigger workflows from external apps.
- Self-Hosting – Run n8n on your own servers for full control.
- Scalability – Run workflows for thousands of users or data points.
- Community Marketplace – Reusable workflows and nodes shared by developers.
Benefits of n8n
- Cost-Effective – Free to self-host, making it cheaper than subscription-based competitors.
- Privacy & Control – Keep data in your own infrastructure.
- Flexibility – Supports advanced automations with scripting.
- Integration Power – Connect almost any API, not just supported apps.
- Scalable – From simple tasks to enterprise workflows.
- Growing Community – Strong open-source ecosystem.
👉 Need help to deploy or customize n8n? DecaSoft Solutions experts can help you self-host or run n8n cloud for smarter, cost-effective automation.
n8n Pricing
n8n offers two main options:
- Self-Hosting (Free)
- 100% free, open-source.
- You manage hosting, scaling, and updates.
- Ideal for developers and businesses with IT resources.
- n8n.cloud (Paid)
- Managed hosting by n8n team.
- Pricing starts around $20/month (for personal use).
- Business and enterprise plans available with higher workflow execution limits.
👉 Unlike Zapier or Make, with n8n you can scale without worrying about per-task costs if you self-host.
n8n vs Zapier vs Make vs Workato
| Feature/Aspect | n8n | Zapier | Make (Integromat) | Workato |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Open-source | No-code SaaS | No-code SaaS | Enterprise SaaS |
| Hosting | Self-host or Cloud | Cloud only | Cloud only | Cloud + Hybrid |
| Pricing | Free self-host, paid cloud | Subscription | Subscription | Enterprise pricing |
| Ease of Use | Moderate (dev-friendly) | Very high | High | High |
| Integrations | 350+ nodes + APIs | 5,000+ apps | 1,000+ apps | 1,000+ apps |
| Customization | Very high (code nodes) | Limited | High | Very high |
| Best Fit | Developers, SMBs, privacy-conscious teams | SMBs, non-tech users | SMBs + mid-market | Enterprises |
Real-World Use Cases of n8n
Marketing
- Collect leads from Facebook Ads → send to CRM → notify sales team on Slack.
- Auto-generate reports combining Google Analytics + ad spend data.
Sales
- Sync CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce) with email tools and spreadsheets.
- Auto-update deals when payments are processed.
IT & Operations
- Monitor server uptime → send alerts via email/Slack.
- Automate user account creation in multiple systems.
Finance & HR
- Extract invoice data → push to accounting software.
- Automate payroll reporting and compliance checks.
Developers
- Use n8n as a backend automation layer.
- Build custom API-to-API integrations without writing full apps.
Challenges of n8n
- Learning Curve – Requires some technical knowledge compared to Zapier.
- Fewer Prebuilt Nodes – Has ~350+ compared to Zapier’s 5,000+.
- Hosting Overhead – Self-hosting requires infrastructure management.
- Scaling Complexity – Large workloads need DevOps expertise.
Future of n8n
As businesses demand more data privacy and open-source solutions, n8n is expected to grow rapidly. Future enhancements will likely include:
- More pre-built nodes for popular apps.
- Easier cloud hosting with enterprise features.
- AI-driven workflow suggestions.
- Expansion into hybrid cloud + on-prem automation.
Final Thoughts
n8n is one of the most exciting tools in the automation landscape. It combines the ease of visual workflow builders with the power of open-source customization. For startups, developers, and companies that care about data ownership and cost control, n8n is an excellent choice.
At DecaSoft Solutions, we help businesses deploy, customize, and scale n8n—whether on the cloud or self-hosted.
👉 Need help setting up n8n? Contact DecaSoft Solutions today for expert support and smarter automation solutions.
