What is n8n? A Complete Beginner's Guide to Workflow Automation

If you've been searching for a way to automate repetitive tasks, connect your apps, or build powerful workflows without writing code, you've probably come across n8n. But what exactly is it, and why are thousands of businesses switching to it?

n8n in a Nutshell

n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n" or "nodemation") is an open-source workflow automation platform that lets you connect different apps and services to automate tasks. Think of it as a visual programming tool where you connect "nodes" (representing different apps or actions) to create automated workflows.

Unlike traditional coding, n8n uses a drag-and-drop interface that makes automation accessible to everyone—from marketers automating their campaigns to developers building complex integrations.

Key Features That Set n8n Apart

1. Open Source & Self-Hostable

Unlike Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat), n8n is fully open source. This means you can:

• Host it on your own servers for complete data control
• Customize it to your exact needs
• Avoid per-task pricing that can get expensive
• Keep sensitive data within your infrastructure

2. Visual Workflow Builder

n8n's canvas-based editor lets you see your entire workflow at a glance. You can:

• Drag and drop nodes to build workflows
• See data flow between steps in real-time
• Debug issues by inspecting each node's output
• Create complex branching logic visually

3. 400+ Integrations

n8n connects with hundreds of popular services out of the box:

• CRMs: Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive
• Communication: Slack, Discord, Telegram, Email
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB
• AI Services: OpenAI, Claude, Google AI
• And many more...

4. Code When You Need It

While n8n is no-code friendly, it doesn't limit technical users. You can:

• Write custom JavaScript or Python code within workflows
• Create custom nodes for proprietary systems
• Use HTTP requests to connect any API

What Can You Automate with n8n?

The possibilities are nearly endless, but here are some popular use cases:

Marketing Automation

• Sync leads between forms and your CRM
• Post to multiple social media platforms simultaneously
• Send personalized email sequences based on user behavior

Sales Operations

• Automatically enrich lead data from multiple sources
• Create tasks and follow-ups based on deal stages
• Generate proposals and quotes automatically

IT & DevOps

• Monitor systems and send alerts
• Automate deployment pipelines
• Sync data between internal tools

AI-Powered Workflows

• Process documents with AI and extract data
• Build chatbots that integrate with your systems
• Generate content and schedule publishing

n8n Pricing: How Much Does It Cost?

n8n offers flexible pricing options:

Option	Cost	Best For
Self-Hosted (Community)	Free	Developers, technical teams
n8n Cloud Starter	From $20/mo	Small teams getting started
n8n Cloud Pro	From $50/mo	Growing businesses
Enterprise	Custom	Large organizations

The key advantage? No per-execution pricing. Unlike Zapier where costs scale with every task, n8n's pricing is based on workflows and users, making it much more cost-effective for high-volume automation.

Getting Started with n8n

Ready to try n8n? Here's how to get started:

1. Try n8n Cloud: Sign up for a free trial at n8n.io—no installation required
2. Browse Templates: Explore our workflow library for ready-to-use automations
3. Start Simple: Begin with a basic workflow, like sending Slack notifications from form submissions
4. Build Up: Gradually add complexity as you learn the platform

Is n8n Right for You?

Choose n8n if you:

• Want control over your automation infrastructure
• Need to process high volumes without per-task costs
• Value open source and community-driven development
• Want to combine no-code simplicity with code flexibility

Consider alternatives if you:

• Need a purely no-code solution with zero learning curve
• Only need simple, low-volume automations
• Don't have technical resources for self-hosting