What is n8n?
N8N is an innovative automation software, offering an open-source, low-code solution with a self-hosted server.
Created by Jan Oberhauser in 2019, in Berlin, Germany, it was designed to provide a flexible alternative to cloud-based closed automation software.
As a developer, he tried almost every other major automation platform and found that none of them fully met his needs. They were either too expensive, too limited, not scalable enough, or simply lacking in features.
- Innovation: N8N is distinguished by its open-source and self-hosted approach, unlike Zapier
- Connectivity: N8N can connect to over 200 applications, making it easy to automate processes between them.
- Customization: The software allows the creation of custom workflows with its node-based user interface.
- Foundation: Created by Jan Oberhauser in 2019, it met the need for a more flexible automation solution.
Announced to the whole world in October 2019, it attracted theheed and obtained in March 2020 a $1.5 million seed funding to continue its growth.
Features
N8N automation software offers a multitude of useful features. Let's go into detail through each of them.
1. Multiple Data Sources
A major advantage of the N8N platform is its ability to connect to multiple data sources.
- Allows you to connect to web services, databases, files, and cloud services.
- Facilitates the integration and automation of tasks.
This makes N8N extremely flexible and suitable for a variety of workflow automation scenarios.
2. Creating Workflows
The N8N platform allows the creation of personalized workflows in an intuitive way.
- Using a drag-and-drop interface to connect different nodes representing tasks or data.
- This tool makes it easy to visualize and modify workflows.
This makes creating workflows both flexible and accessible, even for non-technical users.
3. Parallel Execution
N8N is a tool that optimizes your efficiency by allowing the execution of tasks in parallel.
- Allows multiple tasks and branches to be managed simultaneously.
- Increases efficiency and saves time
It is an essential characteristic for highly productive work environments.
4. Multiple Communication Channels
N8N offers a variety of communication channels.
- Includes features like email, chat messages, push notifications, and text messages.
- This tool allows you to choose the communication channel that best suits your needs.
This ensures that N8N can integrate seamlessly into almost any communication routine.
5. Open Source and Fair Code License
One of the main features of N8N is that it is open source.
- The source code is freely accessible, allowing anyone to host and improve it.
- Users can control who has access to it and where their data is stored, an important consideration in the age of GDPR.
- N8N also has a fair-code license, which offers a unique balance between open source code and commercial sustainability.
This open-source transparency gives users the confidence and freedom to use the software in the way that works best for them.
6. N8N Cloud
N8N is also available as an iPaaS solution.
- With n8n.cloud, you can use the ready-to-use tool on n8n servers.
- Over 150 integrated applications are supported in the cloud to date.
This option provides additional convenience for those who prefer a cloud solution, without having to manage the hosting themselves.
7. Rapid Application Development
N8N can add new applications very quickly:
- What that means: New applications can be added either by the N8N team or by users who are good at programming.
- Flexibility: If you use n8n.io on your own server, you can edit the code however you want and add elements via JSON or Javascript.
8. Modular structure
N8N is built in a way that makes it easy to use:
- Explanation: The structure of N8N is easy to understand. You can quickly see what tools are in use, what tasks are in progress, and what's going to happen next.
- Why it's great: This structure makes N8N easy to use even if you don't have a lot of programming experience.
9. Exporting to JSON
N8N allows you to save entire processes in JSON format:
- Benefits: This feature allows you to easily copy processes or use them as templates.
- Simplicity: Compared to other tools, this feature is easier to use with N8N's open-source design.
N8N is more than just an automation tool. It offers a multitude of functionalities, allows the rapid development of applications, has an easy to understand structure and makes it possible to save entire processes. All of this makes N8N a powerful and easy to use automation tool.
Integrations
N8N is an automation platform that stands out in the iPaaS industry thanks to its multiple integrations. This allows its users to interconnect their favorite tools in a simple and effective way. Let's take a look at the integrations that N8N has to offer.
- Broad range of integrations: N8N currently integrates with over 220 applications, including popular SaaS tools like Asana, Airtable, Office365, GSuite, and Dropbox.
- Steady growth: Even though N8N still has a long way to go compared to some competitors like Zapier or Make in terms of the number of integrations, the platform is constantly developing and new applications are regularly added.
- Easy to add integrations: Thanks to technology based on JSON and Javascript, N8N is able to add new integrations in just a few hours.
- Ease of use: N8N offers a user-friendly interface that makes the integration process easy, accompanied by numerous pre-designed workflow templates to speed up the configuration process.
N8N is constantly striving to broaden its scope of application in terms of integrations, in order to offer an ever more efficient solution adapted to the evolving needs of users.
How to get started: Step-by-Step Guide
N8N is a remarkable automation tool that allows different applications and services to be connected into a single, consistent workflow. It may seem daunting at first, but once you follow these simple steps, you'll be well on your way to making full use of this powerful software.
Installation
Before the full potential of N8N can be exploited, the application must first be installed. Here's how to do it:
- N8N is available as a cloud service, desktop application, npm module, and Docker image. For this quick guide, we recommend using the desktop application.
- Linux users can sign up for a free cloud trial, or use npm or Docker.
- For Windows and macOS, download the application from the official N8N site and run the installer.
- Once the installation is complete, N8N Desktop automatically opens in the workflow model view.
Load and Execute a Workflow
N8N provides a quickstart model that allows you to try out the user interface and introduces you to key features. Here's how to load a workflow template:
- In the workflow templates view, search for “Very quick start.”
- Select the template to preview it.
- Click “Use this workflow” to open the template in your own editor.
Now that you've loaded the workflow model, it's time to run it and see how it works. Simply click on “Execute Workflow” to start it.
Add a node
To add functionality to your workflow, you can add a new node. Here's how to do it:
- Select the “Add node” connector on the existing node link.
- Search for “Customer Messenger” and select it to add the node link to your workflow
- Use expressions to match the customer ID and create the message as a result
- Once you've set up your node, you can close the node and run the workflow again to see the results.
By following these steps, you should be well on your way to getting started with N8N.
Remember, the best way to learn is to actively engage and experiment with different workflows and nodes. Good luck and have fun with N8N!
Pricing
N8N offers a range of pricing plans to meet the different needs of its users.
Whether you are a beginner or a business with strict security requirements, there is a plan for you in this suite.
Additionally, the n8n.io suite, which can be hosted locally thanks to its open-source code, is available for free.
Starter - €20 per month
Ideal to get started quickly and discover the power of N8N.
- 5,000 workflow executions with unlimited steps
- 5 active workflows and unlimited tests
- Hosting by N8N
- Support via the forum
- For a single user
Pro - €50 per month
To work as a team and manage business-critical workflows.
- 10,000 workflow executions (tasks) with unlimited steps
- 10 active workflows and unlimited tests
- Hosting by N8N
- Includes everything in the Starter plan, plus:
- Unlimited users for each team
- Workflow collaboration
- Execution search
- Global variables
Enterprise
For organizations with more stringent security or compliance requirements.
- Unlimited workflow executions (tasks) with unlimited steps
- Unlimited number of active workflows and unlimited tests
- Self-hosted (or hosted by N8N)
- Includes everything in the Pro plan, plus:
- SAML and LDAP SSO
- Log distribution
- Environments
- Version control using Git
- External secret storage integration
- Dedicated support with SLA
- Invoicing on invoice
Community
A basic version of N8N is also available on GitHub.
It should be noted that “nodes” in N8N refer to specific steps or actions in a workflow, like “Get all users from Slack.”
Finally, each solution plan comes with a 30-day trial period to help you test the capabilities of the tool before you commit.
Customer Support
The N8N software is distinguished not only by its integration and automation capabilities, but also by the remarkable support it offers to its users.
- Online support: A multitude of resources available on the web to solve any problem.
- Continuous evolution: The software constantly benefits from valuable feedback and suggestions from its community, promoting its continuous improvement.
- Accessibility: N8N customer support is easily reachable and ready to answer questions.
- Availability on various channels: A variety of ways to access customer service, guaranteeing fast and effective assistance.
- Fast problem resolution: Issues are addressed quickly to minimize interruptions and maximize productivity.
In conclusion, whether through its active community or its dedicated customer service, N8N ensures that its users have the necessary help at their fingertips. This assistance makes the difference and facilitates the adoption of this robust and flexible tool.
Security and Confidentiality
N8N is a serious and innovative automation tool that places data security and confidentiality at the center of its priorities.
- In the process of being certified SOC 2, a recognized standard for data management.
- You can ask questions about data privacy by sending an email to privacy@n8n.io.
- For security questions or to report a suspected vulnerability, you can send an email to security@n8n.io.
- Self-hosting is a great way to add an extra layer of security and privacy to your data. By hosting N8N yourself, you keep your data within your own infrastructure.
With its commitment to data protection and self-hosting functionality, N8N is a reliable choice for anyone looking to ensure the security of their information.
Alternatives
1. Zapier
Zapier is a strong competitor to N8N, offering integration with over 2,000 applications. It is easy to handle, but its flexibility is slightly lower.
Features
- Integration with over 2,000 applications
- Multiple triggers, nodes, and actions on Zapier
- Time-based workflow programming
- API
Pricing
- Limited free version of Zapier per node
- Zapier's paid plans start at $20 per month for premium features
Learn more about Zapier: linkage.
2. Make (formerly Integromat)
Make (formerly Integromat) is a new player in the online automation market, focused on an intuitive user interface and an affordable price.
Features
- Easy to use thanks to an intuitive user interface
- Automation based on event triggers
- Managing tasks and projects for marketing automation
- Reasonable price
- API
Pricing
- Free version with limited features
- Paid plans start at $9 per month for full access
More info on Make: linkage.
3. IFTTT
The IFTTT (If This Then That) platform is a simple but effective online no code tool that is ideal at first reading for personal users looking to automate their home applications and devices.
Features
- Easy creation of automation “recipes”
- Integration with a variety of home devices and applications
- Multi-stage automation with the Pro version
- API
Pricing
- Free basic version (+ free API)
- IFTTT Pro at $3.99 per month for advanced features
Zapier, Make, and IFTTT are viable alternatives to N8N, each with their own strengths. The choice will depend on your specific automation needs.
Final opinion
N8N is a powerful tool that offers a wide variety of features for automating workflows.
However, if your needs differ, an alternative like Zapier, Make, and IFTTT may offer different features that may be more suited to your specific projects.
It is essential to choose the tool that best suits your specific context and needs.
