n8n

n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n") is an open-source workflow automation platform that gives you the power of Make or Zapier with a critical difference: you can self-host it for free. For businesses with technical resources and data privacy requirements, this changes the economics and control equation entirely.

What it does

n8n lets you build automated workflows using a visual drag-and-drop builder. It connects to 400+ applications and services, and you can extend it with custom code nodes when pre-built integrations do not cover your needs. Workflows can be triggered by events, schedules, webhooks, or manual execution.

Like Make, n8n uses a node-based visual interface. You place nodes on a canvas, connect them to define data flow, and configure each node with the specific actions and data mappings you need. The interface is clean and modern, and workflows are easy to read even when they grow complex.

How it works in practice

You have two options: self-host n8n on your own server (free forever, open-source license) or use n8n Cloud (managed hosting with additional features, starting at $20/month). The self-hosted version gives you full control over your data, unlimited workflows, and unlimited executions — the only cost is your server.

Setting up self-hosted n8n requires basic server administration skills. You can deploy it on any cloud provider (AWS, GCP, DigitalOcean) or even run it locally with Docker. Once running, the experience is the same as the cloud version.

The AI capabilities in n8n are a growing strength. Built-in AI nodes let you integrate LLMs directly into workflows — summarising text, classifying data, generating content, and extracting structured information. You can connect to OpenAI, Anthropic, and open-source models.

Where it excels

The self-hosting option is n8n's defining advantage. For businesses with data privacy requirements — healthcare, finance, legal, or any organisation handling sensitive data — self-hosted n8n means your automation data never leaves your infrastructure. No data-processing agreements, no third-party risk assessments, no compliance concerns about where your data flows.

n8n's code nodes are also a significant differentiator. When pre-built integrations do not cover your exact needs, you can write JavaScript or Python directly within a workflow node. This bridges the gap between no-code simplicity and developer-grade flexibility.

Where it falls short

The integration library (400+) is smaller than Make (1,500+) or Zapier (6,000+). If you rely on niche or industry-specific apps, you may find they are not supported. Custom code nodes can fill the gap, but this requires development skills.

Self-hosting means you are responsible for uptime, updates, backups, and scaling. This is straightforward for teams with DevOps capability but a non-starter for teams without technical resources.

The business case

For technical teams with privacy requirements, n8n's self-hosted option is unbeatable — unlimited automation at the cost of a small server. For non-technical teams, n8n Cloud offers a clean, modern alternative to Make and Zapier with competitive pricing and growing AI capabilities.