n8n

n8n is a platform for building workflows and AI agents. Workflows are built on a visual canvas, where each step is a node: a trigger, an app action, a condition, a code step or an AI model call. Each step can be opened to see what it does, which makes workflows easier to explain and debug. Developers can add JavaScript or Python where a built-in node is not enough.

n8n is fair-code, distributed under the Sustainable Use License and the n8n Enterprise License. The source is available and n8n can be self-hosted, or a business can use n8n's cloud service.

What n8n is used for

• Moving leads from forms and ads into a CRM
• Sending notifications to staff by email, chat or text
• Syncing records between business systems
• Scheduled reports and data cleanup jobs
• AI-assisted steps such as summarizing or classifying messages, with human approval where needed

Why self-hosting can matter

Some automations handle customer data that a business would rather keep on infrastructure it controls. A self-hosted n8n instance keeps that data and the credentials for connected apps under the business's control. Self-hosting also means someone has to keep n8n updated, backed up and monitored.

Building reliable workflows

Automations fail quietly if nobody watches them. Good workflows include error handling, retries for temporary failures, alerts when something breaks and logs that show what happened. Credentials should be stored in n8n's credential system, not pasted into steps.

n8n fits businesses with workflows that need branching logic, custom code or data control. Simple app-to-app connections may be quicker to build in Zapier.