n8n

Source-available workflow automation that combines visual building with custom code and AI agents.

What is n8n?

n8n is a workflow automation platform built for technical teams that want the speed of no-code without giving up the flexibility of code. You build automations on a visual canvas by connecting nodes for over 400 apps and services, and can drop into JavaScript or Python whenever a step needs custom logic. Its AI capabilities let you build agents whose reasoning is traceable step by step on the canvas, making it a popular choice for RAG pipelines, IT operations, security automation, and lead workflows. Because the source is available and the platform is self-hostable, teams with strict data requirements can run n8n entirely on their own infrastructure, while n8n Cloud offers a managed option. With one of the most popular repositories on GitHub, the community contributes thousands of ready-made workflow templates.

Key Features

Visual workflow editor with 400+ integrations and 9,500+ community templates

Custom code steps in JavaScript or Python inside any workflow

AI agent building with step-by-step traceable reasoning on the canvas

Self-host on your own infrastructure or use managed n8n Cloud

Webhooks, schedules, and error handling for production-grade automations

Use Cases

Building AI agents and RAG pipelines over internal data
Automating IT and security operations like incident enrichment
Syncing and transforming data between CRMs, databases, and SaaS apps
Lead capture, enrichment, and routing automations for sales teams
Prototyping backend logic and API orchestrations without a full codebase

How to Use n8n

1Sign up for n8n Cloud or self-host via Docker / npm
2Create a workflow and add a trigger node (webhook, schedule, or app event)
3Chain app nodes and code nodes to transform and route data
4Test each step on the canvas with real data, then activate the workflow

Best For

Technical teams that outgrow Zapier-style toolsCompanies that need self-hosted automation for data controlDevelopers who want code-level flexibility in a visual builder

FAQ

Is n8n free to use?

The self-hosted community edition is free under n8n's sustainable-use (fair-code) license. n8n Cloud, the managed offering, starts at around €24/month with a free trial.

Is n8n open source?

n8n is source-available under a fair-code license: the code is public on GitHub and free to self-host, with some restrictions on reselling it as a service.

How is n8n different from Zapier?

n8n targets technical teams: you can self-host it, write JavaScript or Python inside workflows, and build complex branching logic, whereas Zapier optimizes for simplicity in a fully hosted product.

Can n8n build AI agents?

Yes. n8n ships AI and LangChain-based nodes for building agents and RAG workflows, and every reasoning step stays visible and debuggable on the canvas.