n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is an open-source workflow automation platform. Like Zapier, it connects apps and automates tasks — but you can host it yourself, see all of its code, and build more complex workflows with branching logic and custom code when you need it.
Businesses choose n8n when their automations outgrow simple “when X, do Y” rules, or when they want to keep data and costs under their own control instead of paying per task to a SaaS platform.
How n8n works
You build workflows on a visual canvas: each step is a node — a trigger, an app action, a condition, a code block, or an AI step. Nodes connect into flows that can branch, loop, merge, and handle errors. Because it is open source, the community has built hundreds of integrations, and you can add anything missing with an HTTP node or a few lines of JavaScript.
n8n can run in their cloud or on your own server. Self-hosting is popular with businesses that process sensitive data or run thousands of workflow executions and prefer a fixed cost over per-task pricing.
Example
An e-commerce store uses n8n to handle returns: when a return request arrives, the workflow checks the order, creates a return label, updates inventory, notifies the customer, and logs everything in a spreadsheet. Five systems, one workflow, zero manual steps — and the whole thing runs on the store’s own server.
Frequently asked questions
What is n8n in simple terms?
n8n is an open-source platform for building automated workflows between apps, with a visual editor and the option to self-host.
Is n8n free?
The core software is free and open source when you self-host it. n8n also offers paid cloud hosting with support if you prefer not to manage servers.
n8n vs Zapier: what is the difference?
Both automate work between apps. n8n is open source, self-hostable, and better for complex workflows; Zapier is simpler to start with and has more ready-made app integrations.
Related reading: E-commerce automation: the 3-step formula