n8n
A workflow automation tool with AI features that can also be self-hosted.
Explanation
n8n is a workflow automation tool that connects applications, databases and AI models through a visual editor. It can be used in the cloud or self-hosted and includes dedicated building blocks for AI agents.
How it works
A workflow consists of nodes that run in sequence. A trigger starts the flow, for example a new email or a webhook. Further nodes read data, call APIs or AI models, branch on conditions and write results to target systems. Where standard nodes are not enough, you add your own code.
Example
Incoming invoices in a mailbox are detected automatically, an AI node extracts supplier, amount and due date, n8n creates a draft in the accounting software and sends an approval request to the responsible person.
Why it matters
n8n bridges the gap between simple no-code tools and custom development. With self-hosting, data stays within your own infrastructure, which is a deciding factor for many European companies.
What is n8n and what do companies use it for?
n8n was founded in Berlin in 2019, and the name is short for “nodemation”. It is released under a fair-code license: the source code is available, and the Community Edition can be self-hosted for free for internal business purposes. The cloud version and certain enterprise features are paid.
Typical use cases are lead processing from web form to CRM, invoice intake and approvals, syncing shop, ERP and accounting, reporting from multiple sources and, increasingly, AI workflows: classifying emails, extracting data from documents, drafting replies. The AI nodes let you use language models, vector stores and agents with tools directly inside a workflow. Through MCP, n8n can also connect external tools and expose its own workflows as tools for AI applications.
n8n vs. Make: what is the difference?
Both tools connect applications through visual workflows. Make is a cloud-only service with a very approachable interface and many ready-made integrations, billed per individual execution step. n8n can also be self-hosted, allows custom code in any workflow and bills its cloud version per workflow execution rather than per step. For flows with many steps, that can be considerably cheaper.
Rule of thumb: for simple automations without sensitive data, Make is often quicker to set up. When data sovereignty, complex logic, custom integrations or AI agents matter, n8n is usually the better fit. At very high volume or with strict requirements for testing and versioning, a custom-coded solution may be the right choice.
Frequently asked questions
What is an n8n workflow?
An n8n workflow is an automated process made of connected nodes. A trigger starts it, and further nodes process data, call services or AI models and write results to target systems.
Is n8n free?
The self-hosted Community Edition is free for internal use, so you only pay for servers and operations. The cloud version and enterprise features such as single sign-on are paid.
Can you build AI agents with n8n?
Yes. n8n offers an AI Agent node to which you assign a language model, tools and memory. For critical steps you can add human approval.