What is n8n? A Complete Guide to Workflow Automation, Features, AI Capabilities, and Pricing

What Is n8n?

We spend countless hours trying to control the number of repeated tasks that we carry out, and all the number of different apps that we have. What if we could take those processes and automate them and in so doing, set ourselves free to pursue other ventures? That’s what n8n is for: a powerful open-source automation tool that is friendly enough for any business user – whilst still technical enough for any software developer to use.

n8n collaborates with over 500 applications and delivers more than 2990 out-of-the-box workflows, making sophisticated automation available to anyone. Its low-code platform and visual interface let you build bespoke automations without much, if any, coding experience. Meanwhile, power users savor the flexibility to make their integrations just so. In this piece, we’ll take a look at the n8n standout factors, its core operational principle, and why it has emerged victorious as a vibe in 2025.

Core Concepts and Architecture

n8n operates using a visual, node-based workflow builder. In n8n, each node represents either a trigger (for example, a webhook) or an action (like transforming data or sending an API request). We connect these nodes to design workflows that carry out everything from simple notifications to multi-step, multi-branch automations.

The platform’s architecture supports two main operating modes: self-hosted or managed cloud. Self-hosting gives us full control over data and deployments, while cloud hosting offers a maintenance-free option starting at $20/month (billed annually). Both options leverage event-driven architecture, enabling real-time or scheduled automation.

n8n provides 2990+ workflow templates and 500+ integration presets, helping us build workflows efficiently. Advanced users can extend capabilities using custom JavaScript within nodes, providing flexibility absent in many other automation solutions.

How n8n Works

n8n processes automation by passing structured data from one node to another. We begin by choosing a triggering event—for instance, a new email in Gmail or a post on Twitter. Each subsequent node processes or routes this data, allowing actions like sending notifications, updating databases, or posting content across platforms.

The visual interface means we can drag and drop nodes to build a workflow and monitor each action in real time. This design helps us see how information flows through each branch, reducing errors and optimizing the process.

By supporting integrations with platforms like Google Sheets, Slack, and Notion, n8n centralizes our martechstack automation. Its versioning and sharing system enables us to export, import, or collaborate on workflows—letting teams reuse proven automations across brands or campaigns.

n8n’s low-code approach and broad template library make it practical for creators and marketers to automate processes quickly, even if coding expertise is limited. Tech teams can further enhance workflow complexity by injecting custom logic, letting n8n fit unique business requirements and marketing ops at scale.

For more about workflow automation and its impact on marketing productivity, see Gartner’s analysis on hyperautomation.

Key Features and Capabilities

n8n combines advanced automation with user-friendly workflow design to streamline complex tasks and support real-time integration across popular marketing platforms.

Integration and Automation

n8n supports multiple types of workflow triggers: event-based (webhooks and app events), scheduled (cron-like jobs), chat triggers (Slack and Telegram messages), manual executions, and real-time data processing. This flexibility lets us automate customer onboarding, manage content pipelines, and carry out ETL processes for analytics with minimal manual effort. Its HTTP Call node supports almost any REST API, so we can extend workflows to fit unique third-party tools not covered by default integrations.

For content creators and marketers, automation examples include consolidating inbound leads, syncing posts across social platforms, and sending custom email campaigns. These integrations help reduce repetitive actions, minimize errors, and let us focus on higher-value brand activities. Learn more about APIs and integrations in modern marketing workflows.

Here are just some of the integrations available:


Check out the integrations page here to see if your current tech stack is here!

Developer-Friendly Approach

n8n offers a developer-centric environment with a visual workflow editor, letting us configure each automation step using easy drag-and-drop nodes. Technical teams gain customization by injecting JavaScript for data transformation or adding new custom nodes, making advanced use cases possible. Detailed execution logs, error notifications, and node-level re-execution simplify troubleshooting and keep workflows reliable.

Complete self-hosting capability gives us full data control—an essential feature for brand and client privacy. Large-scale teams use features such as role-based access control, audit logs, and secure secret management (e.g., AWS Secrets Manager integration) for enterprise-grade security.

We can store and share workflows as JSON files, facilitating collaboration and reuse within our team or the wider open-source community. This sharing ecosystem speeds up adoption and promotes standard patterns for common marketing tasks.

n8n’s flexible design, developer-focused tools, and comprehensive integration options let us automate marketing operations efficiently, from content distribution to advanced AI-driven analytics.

AI Capabilities in n8n: Next-Generation Automation for Modern Businesses

n8n has moved quickly from a capable automation tool to something much more powerful—a platform for building artificial intelligence into your organization. Business owners and digital marketers are now in a position to put advanced AI to work, not just for basic tasks like e-mailing a list of potential customers but for deeper purposes – allowing for more profound and insightful kinds of automations.

Learn why AI is the next big thing in marketing here!

What Sets n8n’s AI Apart?

AI Agents, Not Just Chatbots: n8n lets you build intelligent AI agents that don’t just respond—they make decisions, use external tools, and carry out multi-step tasks. Imagine an AI that can analyze emails, update your CRM, trigger campaigns, and even schedule meetings, all based on your business logic.

Native LangChain Integration: With n8n’s seamless LangChain integration, you can tap into the latest language models (like GPT-4, Gemini, or open-source LLMs) and combine them with your business data. This means you can automate everything from summarizing documents and answering customer queries to building custom chatbots that access your own knowledge base—no heavy coding required.

Multi-Agent Workflows: Need more than one AI working together? n8n makes it easy to orchestrate multi-agent systems. For example, one agent can analyze incoming leads, another can generate personalized follow-up messages, and a third can update your analytics dashboard—all within a single visual workflow.

Connect Any Data, Anywhere: n8n’s AI nodes can pull in data from over 1,000 integrations, including Google Sheets, Notion, Slack, and virtually any API. You can even connect to vector databases and external AI services, making it simple to build Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) systems or automate content creation at scale.

Visual, No-Code AI Builder: You don’t need to be a developer to harness AI. Drag-and-drop nodes let you design, test, and optimize AI-powered workflows visually. Advanced users can still inject custom code for ultimate flexibility.

Real-World Use Cases: Businesses are already using n8n’s AI capabilities to:

• Fine-tune OpenAI models on their own documents for hyper-personalized responses
• Build Telegram bots with long-term memory and user validation
• Summarize podcasts, scrape and analyze web content, or automate customer support—all with AI at the core

Why Does This Matter for Marketers and Business Owners?

n8n’s AI features mean you can:

• Deliver tailored customer experiences at scale
• Automate complex, multi-step processes that used to require manual intervention
• Rapidly prototype and deploy AI-driven solutions—no need to wait for IT or external vendors

Common Use Cases

n8n streamlines repetitive marketing tasks and creates scalable automations, letting us move faster across channels and tools. Marketers and business owners use n8n to boost campaign responsiveness, keep data in sync, and automate multi-step workflows for better efficiency.

Notifications and Alerts

n8n automates notifications and alerts across platforms like Slack, email, or Telegram, triggered by events such as lead form submissions or website activity. For example, we set up workflows that track new signups or failed payments, and instantly send updates to our teams or clients. This real-time visibility supports faster reactions for incident management, campaign feedback, or customer engagement.

Data Synchronization

n8n handles automated data transfers between business tools—CRM, spreadsheets, BI dashboards, and marketing automation platforms. We use n8n to pull data from sources like Google Sheets or Notion, apply transformations for accurate segmentation, and synchronize results to other apps. This process reduces inconsistencies and ensures that our campaigns always run on the latest data. Learn about Data Integration best practices to confirm the importance of keeping marketing data synchronized.

Workflow Automation

n8n is an end-to-end automation solution for complex marketing workflows. It combines the heavy lifting of systems like Zapier with the lightness and freedom of tools like Integromat or Parabola. It runs in the cloud (or on your own server), has no pricing tiers, and uses only community-built templates.

You can invoke n8n workflows from GitHub actions, or by sending a URL request from your code, or even just using a browser. They can also be triggered by scheduled tasks and web app events (e.g., sending a follow-up email after a customer signs up for a webinar). Building an n8n workflow is a bit like creating a choose-your-own-adventure story.

Getting Started With n8n

Getting started with n8n streamlines automation for content workflows, campaign processes, and data integrations. With simple setup and flexible options, we quickly automate repetitive marketing tasks without heavy coding.

Installation and Setup Options

n8n supports open-source and cloud-hosted deployment, giving us full control over workflow data and privacy. We can self-host n8n on our servers using Docker or npm for maximum customization, or we can choose managed hosting for easy, maintenance-free automation.

For quick setup, we spin up a Docker container or run a single npm command, making n8n accessible on Windows, macOS, or Linux. The visual workflow designer allows us to drag nodes representing triggers (like new form submissions or scheduled events) and actions (such as notifications or data syncing) into our process. Templates and the n8n community hub provide over 1,250 ready-made automations, so we import, adapt, and deploy complex workflows in minutes.

Each workflow is portable and stored in JSON, allowing us to back up, share, and refine automations across our team or community spaces. Robust documentation and an active user base keep us supported as we build advanced, AI-driven workflows without a steep learning curve.

Pricing and Hosting Options

n8n gives us flexibility with several hosting and pricing choices, which makes it suitable for both solo content creators and growing marketing teams. We can pick between self-hosting on our own server or using n8n’s managed cloud service, each with distinct features and costs.

Self-Hosted n8n

Self-hosted n8n is free to use. When we install n8n on a personal server or a virtual private server (VPS), we keep full control of data and there are no per-task charges. For example, a VPS on Hostinger’s KVM 2 plan runs about $6.99/month, which covers most small to midsize automation needs. Running n8n on platforms like DigitalOcean, Hetzner, or even a Raspberry Pi offers similar affordability. The only costs are for the server, and there are no workflow execution limits for internal business use—ideal for marketers managing large data volumes or complex multi-step automations. For those curious about fair use licensing restrictions, see the official n8n License documentation.

n8n Cloud Plans

n8n Cloud provides a maintenance-free option for those of us who’d rather avoid the complexity of setup or day-to-day server management. The Starter plan costs $20/month, supporting up to 2,500 executions and five active workflows. This makes it suitable for basic campaign automations or influencers syncing between a few platforms. The Pro plan at $50/month expands capacity to 10,000 executions for bigger workflows or small marketing teams and adds collaboration features.

The Company plan offers custom pricing for businesses needing advanced support, unlimited executions, or additional security for large-scale operations. Cloud pricing focuses on workflow executions rather than task complexity, which is often less expensive than leading competitors for sophisticated marketing automations. For updated plan details or larger-scale requirements, users can visit n8n’s official pricing page.

Choosing the Right Option

Self-hosted n8n suits marketers and tech-savvy creators seeking the lowest costs and maximum control. Cloud-hosted n8n fits those looking for fewer technical barriers and managed security, with costs scaling by usage volume. Both paths allow content creators, agencies, and businesses to automate marketing workflows cost-effectively. For comparisons of similar workflow automation services, sources like G2 regularly update feature and cost breakdowns.

Conclusion

n8n gives us the flexibility to automate marketing workflows without getting bogged down in manual tasks or complex code. Whether we’re building simple automations or designing advanced integrations our team can adapt n8n to fit evolving business needs.

With its open-source foundation and robust community n8n isn’t just a tool—it’s a platform that grows with us. By embracing automation through n8n we can focus more on strategy and creativity while keeping our operations efficient and agile.