n8n
Open-source workflow automation you can self-host.
/ quick answer
n8n is a source-available automation platform similar to Zapier and Make, but self-hostable and with a first-class code node. It's popular for AI orchestrations that touch private data or need custom logic without vendor lock-in. Open-source workflow automation you can self-host.
/ frequently asked
What is n8n?
n8n is a source-available automation platform similar to Zapier and Make, but self-hostable and with a first-class code node. It's popular for AI orchestrations that touch private data or need custom logic without vendor lock-in.
What is an example of n8n?
A team self-hosts n8n on a $10 VPS, runs 30k monthly executions across 12 flows (CRM sync, AI email triage, invoice OCR), and pays $0 in platform fees.
Why does n8n matter?
Open-source workflow automation you can self-host.
What should I learn after n8n?
Open the related workflows and prompts further down this page: they show how this idea is applied in a real task, step by step.
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/ continue exploring
Related concepts
The vocabulary this page depends on.
- →No-Code Automation
Building business workflows visually without writing code.
- →Workflow Trigger
The event that starts an automated workflow.
- →Research Automation
Research automation turns a question into a sourced, structured answer using search, retrieval, extraction and synthesis agents.
- →Crypto Automation
Crypto automation is rule-based execution of monitoring, alerting and recurring on-chain actions, so decisions are made once and applied consistently.
Related workflows
Turn this into a repeatable process.
- →AI Content Factory: One Topic to Ten Assets
Convert a single topic into a full multi-channel content drop.
- →Build a Research Automation Pipeline
Question in, sourced structured brief out — on a schedule.
- →How to Create a Website with AI
Go from idea to a live, custom-domain website in one afternoon using AI builders.
- →How to Build an AI Content System
A repeatable pipeline that turns one input into publish-ready content across every channel.
Related tool stacks
The tools that run it in production.
- →AI-Powered Agency Ops Stack
Run a 10-person agency with the operational overhead of a 3-person team.
- →AI Automation Operator Stack
The default toolset for one operator running multiple AI-powered business workflows.
- →Browser Automation Stack
Run browser agents on a schedule with credentials, retries and screenshots.
- →Research Automation Stack
Search, fetch, extract and synthesise sourced briefs on a schedule.
Related prompts
Reusable prompts for this job.
- →No-Code Automation Spec Writer
Turn a vague 'I want to automate X' into a buildable scenario spec for Make / n8n / Zapier.
- →Browser Automation Task Spec Prompt
Converts a manual click-path into a reliable automation spec.
- →Sourced Research Brief Prompt
Produces a structured brief where every claim carries a citation.
Comparisons & alternatives
Pick between the options.
- →n8n vs Make: Which Automation Platform to Pick
Self-hosted flexibility vs managed ease — pick by team, volume and data sensitivity.
- →Best AI Workflow Automation Tools: n8n vs Zapier vs Make
The three tools most operators consider for AI workflow automation — compared on pricing, AI integration and technical flexibility.
- →Browser Agent vs API Automation
APIs win whenever they exist; browser agents exist for the systems that never gave you one.
- →Lovable vs Bolt
Two AI app builders compared on speed, backend, deployment, and production readiness.