What is n8n?

n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform — the self-hostable alternative to Zapier and Make. Build complex workflows visually, connect 400+ services, and run unlimited automations on your own infrastructure. It’s what Zapier would be if it were open-source and didn’t charge per execution.

Key Features

Visual Workflow Builder

Build automations by connecting nodes in a visual canvas. Each node is a step: trigger, API call, transformation, conditional logic, or output. Complex workflows are easy to understand and maintain.

400+ Integrations

Connect to Slack, GitHub, Google Workspace, databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL), APIs, and AI services (OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama). If a service has an API, n8n can connect to it — and the HTTP node handles everything else.

AI-Powered Automation

n8n has built-in AI nodes for LLM-powered workflows. Summarize emails, classify tickets, generate responses, or build AI agents — all within your automation workflows.

Self-Host with No Limits

Unlike Zapier’s execution limits, n8n self-hosted has no limits. Run 10 or 10 million workflow executions — it’s all on your hardware. This is transformative for high-volume automation.

Pricing

n8n self-hosted is free (fair-code license). Cloud starts at $20/month for 2,500 executions. Enterprise plans available for teams.

Who Should Use n8n?

• Teams wanting to self-host their automation platform
• Developers who need more flexibility than Zapier
• Companies with high-volume automation that would be expensive on Zapier
• AI builders creating LLM-powered workflows

The Bottom Line

n8n is the Zapier alternative for people who want control. Self-host for unlimited executions, connect anything with 400+ integrations, and build AI-powered workflows natively. If you’re paying hundreds per month for Zapier, it’s time to self-host n8n.