N8n —Flexible AI workflow automation for technical teams.

We've been keeping an eye on n8n for a while now, and frankly, it's refreshing to see an automation platform that doesn't treat developers like second-class citizens. While most workflow tools force you into rigid templates, n8n says "here's a visual editor, but go ahead and write JavaScript whenever you need to." It's that rare combo of user-friendly and genuinely powerful.

What caught our attention initially was the backstory—founder Jan Oberhauser got fed up with existing tools being too locked down, so he built something open and self-hostable. Sometimes the best products come from that kind of frustration.

The Sweet Spot Between Visual and Code

n8n nails something most automation platforms miss: the balance between drag-and-drop simplicity and raw coding power. You can build workflows visually, but when you hit a wall (and you always do), you just drop in some JavaScript or Python code right there in the node. No switching tools, no workarounds.

We particularly love that you can paste cURL requests directly into workflows. It's such a small feature, but it shows they actually understand how developers work day-to-day.

Why The Open-Source Angle Matters

Here's where n8n gets interesting from a business perspective. They're "fair-code"—open source with some commercial features—which means you can self-host the core product for free but pay for enterprise goodies like SSO and advanced permissions. It's a clever model that keeps the community happy while building a sustainable business.

The self-hosting option is huge for companies dealing with sensitive data or strict compliance requirements. Try doing that with Zapier or Microsoft Power Automate.

The AI Integration Reality Check

n8n's jumped on the AI bandwagon with multi-step AI agents, and honestly, it feels more thoughtful than most. Rather than just slapping ChatGPT into everything, they've built it as another node type that plays nicely with the rest of your workflow. You can chain AI calls, process the results, and trigger actions—all in one visual flow.

We've seen companies use this for everything from content generation to data analysis, and it actually works without feeling gimmicky.

Who Should Consider n8n

This isn't for everyone. If you're a small business owner who just wants to connect Gmail to Slack, stick with Zapier. n8n shines when you have technical teams who need to build complex, multi-step automations that integrate with internal systems and APIs.

The sweet spot seems to be mid-to-large companies with developers or technical ops folks who are tired of being constrained by traditional automation platforms. The case studies from companies like Vodafone and Delivery Hero show real enterprise adoption, not just startup experimentation.