What Is n8n? A Business Guide to Self-Hosted Workflow Automation

n8n is a workflow automation platform that connects your apps, databases and AI models so data moves between them without manual work. You can use it as a managed cloud service from about €20 a month, or self-host the free Community edition on your own server and pay only for hosting. It charges per workflow execution, not per step, which makes it far cheaper than task-based tools once automations get complex.

For a growing business, n8n sits between off-the-shelf connectors and fully custom code. This guide explains what n8n does, how cloud and self-hosted versions differ, who it suits, what it costs, and the first workflows most teams build. If you are already hitting the limits of point-to-point apps, read our guide on the signs you need a custom integration alongside this one.

Key takeaways

• What it is: a visual, node-based automation tool that links 2,000+ apps and any REST API, with JavaScript and Python when you need custom logic.
• Two ways to run it: n8n Cloud (managed, paid monthly) or self-hosted on your own infrastructure, where the Community edition is free.
• Pricing model: n8n bills per workflow execution regardless of how many steps it has, so long, multi-step workflows cost the same as short ones.
• Best fit: teams with an in-house or partner technical owner who want data control, complex logic or AI agents without per-task bills.

What is n8n?

n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is a workflow automation platform. You build workflows on a visual canvas by linking nodes: a trigger starts the workflow, and each following node reads, transforms or sends data to another system.

Unlike most no-code tools, n8n is “fair-code”. Its source code is public and you can run it on your own server, but it is licensed under n8n’s Sustainable Use License, which allows internal business use and consulting while restricting reselling n8n itself as a hosted service.

In practice, n8n replaces three kinds of work: copying data between apps, writing one-off scripts that nobody maintains, and paying for several single-purpose connector apps.

What can n8n connect to?

• CRMs such as HubSpot, Zoho CRM and Salesforce, through built-in nodes
• Ecommerce platforms such as Shopify, plus payment and shipping tools
• Databases and warehouses such as PostgreSQL, MySQL and Google Sheets
• Messaging tools such as Slack, email and the WhatsApp Business Cloud API
• AI models from providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, plus local models
• Any system with a REST API, through the HTTP Request node

At the time of writing, n8n’s integrations directory lists more than 2,000 integrations, including community-built nodes.

How does n8n workflow automation work?

Every n8n workflow follows the same pattern: trigger, process, act. The difference from simpler tools is how much logic you can put in the middle.

1. A trigger starts the workflow: a webhook, a schedule, a form submission, a new CRM record or a chat message.
2. Nodes fetch and reshape data: look up a record, merge two lists, filter out duplicates or format dates.
3. Logic nodes decide what happens next: IF and Switch branches, loops, waits and approvals.
4. Action nodes write the result: update the CRM, create an order, send a WhatsApp message or post to Slack.
5. Error workflows catch failures and alert your team, so broken runs do not go unnoticed.

When a visual node is not enough, a Code node lets developers write JavaScript or Python inside the workflow. That keeps custom logic in one place instead of scattered across scripts and servers.

What is the difference between n8n Cloud and n8n self-hosted?

n8n Cloud is hosted and maintained by n8n, so you sign up and start building. Self-hosted n8n runs on your own server or cloud account, which gives you full data control but makes you responsible for setup, security, updates and backups.

n8n’s own guide to choosing how to use n8n is clear that self-hosting requires technical expertise for installation and configuration. If nobody on your team manages servers, start on Cloud or have a partner run the instance for you.

How much does n8n cost for a business?

n8n software costs range from free (self-hosted Community) to several hundred euros a month for Business features, plus hosting and build costs. On n8n’s pricing page, Cloud Starter is about €20 a month billed annually for 2,500 executions, and Pro is about €50 a month for 10,000 executions.

The build is usually the biggest cost, not the licence. A well-designed workflow with retries, logging and alerts takes longer to build but saves far more time than a fragile one.

Who is n8n best for?

n8n suits businesses that have outgrown simple connectors but do not want to maintain a codebase of custom scripts. It is a strong fit when at least one of these is true:

• You run thousands of multi-step automations a month and task-based bills are rising
• You need data to stay on your own servers or in a specific region
• Your workflows need branching logic, loops, custom code or AI steps
• You connect a CRM such as HubSpot or Zoho with ecommerce, finance or internal tools
• You have a developer or a partner who can own the instance

n8n is a weaker fit for a single, simple sync between two apps. If a native HubSpot workflow can do the job, start there; our list of HubSpot automation ideas that save hours shows how far native tools go. Zoho-first businesses should also compare cross-app workflows in Zoho Flow.

What workflows do businesses build first with n8n?

Most teams start with workflows that remove daily copy-and-paste work and then add AI or approval steps once the basics are stable.

Ecommerce teams often begin with order and inventory flows; our guide to how Shopify automation saves time covers the native options to compare against. For customer messaging, n8n pairs well with a properly set up WhatsApp Business API integration.

What are the risks of self-hosting n8n?

Self-hosting gives you control, but also every operational job that n8n Cloud would otherwise handle. Plan for these before you commit:

• Security: HTTPS, access control, secrets management and timely version updates
• Reliability: backups, a production database and monitoring for failed executions
• Scaling: queue mode and worker processes once execution volume grows
• Ownership: a named person who fixes broken workflows when an app’s API changes

None of this is unusual for a production system, but it is often forgotten in “free” comparisons. When the logic gets heavy, a custom integration built by in-house developers or a small custom web app for your operations can be the better long-term home.

Why choose Amwhiz for n8n workflow automation?

Amwhiz is a HubSpot Diamond Solutions Partner, a Shopify Partner and a Zoho Authorized Partner, so we understand the systems your n8n workflows connect to, not just the automation tool. Our in-house developers design, host and maintain n8n workflows with error handling, logging and documentation, for clients in India, the US, the UK, the Middle East and APAC. For an example of the integration work behind this, see our Apollo.io and Zoho CRM two-way lead engine.

Frequently asked questions

Is n8n free to use?

The self-hosted Community edition of n8n is free to use for your own business, and you only pay for hosting. n8n Cloud and the self-hosted Business and Enterprise editions are paid plans with extra features and support.

Is n8n open source?

n8n is fair-code rather than classic open source. The source code is public and you can self-host it, but its Sustainable Use License restricts selling n8n itself as a hosted service.

Do I need a developer to use n8n?

Simple workflows can be built by a technical business user on n8n Cloud. Self-hosting, complex logic and production-grade error handling usually need a developer or an automation partner.

Is n8n secure enough for business data?

n8n can be very secure, especially when self-hosted in your own cloud account and region. Security depends on setup, including HTTPS, access control, credential storage and regular updates.

What is the difference between n8n and Zapier?

Zapier is a fully managed, task-priced tool built for ease of use. n8n charges per execution, supports self-hosting and handles complex logic and custom code better, but needs more technical ownership.