What is n8n? (Complete Guide + 2025 Reviews)

What is n8n? (Complete Guide + 2025 Reviews)

N8n Is a workflow automation tool open-source that is aimed at developers as well as users with a more technical profile, but also at companies looking to optimize their processes. It makes it possible to connect different applications and services to create custom automations effortlessly.

Its core promise is to save you valuable time and improve productivity by automating repetitive tasks and complex business processes.

In 2025, n8n is positioned as one of the best automation tools, in particular thanks to its flexibility, its active community and its options for self-hosting or use in cloud mode.

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What is n8n for? (Use case)

n8n is used to design, execute, and manage automation workflows across applications and services. It transforms sequences of manual actions into automated and smooth processes.

Users benefit from a significant reduction in the time spent on repetitive tasks, a decrease in human errors and a better flow of information between the various tools they use.

For SMEs, n8n can automate the synchronization of customer data between a CRM and an emailing tool. E-commerce sites can use it to automate order tracking and customer notification. SaaS businesses can automate customer support processes or subscription management processes.

The key features of n8n

n8n offers a range of functionalities to build robust automations:

• Visual workflow editor: It allows automations to be created intuitively by connecting nodes each representing an application or an action. You can clearly see how your process is going.
• Large catalog of integrations (nodes): n8n natively supports hundreds of popular applications and services (Google Sheets, Slack, GitHub, Notion, etc.), and allows you to connect to almost any API. This gives you extensive connectivity for your automations.
• Custom nodes and JavaScript code: For specific needs, you can create your own nodes or insert JavaScript code to manipulate data in an advanced way. This provides maximum flexibility for complex use cases.
• Self-hosting (Open Source): You can host n8n on your own servers, giving you total control over your data and workflows. This is a major advantage for privacy and personalization.
• Cloud version: For those who prefer a managed solution, n8n also offers a hosted cloud version. This simplifies set-up and maintenance.
• Error management and logs: Integrated tools allow you to track the execution of workflows, identify and manage errors to ensure the reliability of your automations.
• Triggers and Webhooks: Workflows can be started by specific events (e.g. new email, submitted form) or Webhook calls in real time. Your automations react instantly to events.
• AI features: n8n integrates capabilities to interact with AI models, allowing you to create tailor-made AI agents and enrich your workflows with artificial intelligence.

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Advantages and limitations of n8n

Like any tool, n8n has strengths and a few aspects to consider.

✅ Advantages:

• Flexibility and Customization: Thanks to its open-source nature and the possibility of using code, n8n adapts to very specific needs.
• Data control: The self-hosting option guarantees complete control over data privacy and security.
• Pricing model: n8n generally charges per workflow execution, which can be more economical than per task for complex workflows.
• Active community: A large community of users and contributors offers support, workflow sharing and constant development.
• Numerous integrations: Over 350 native integrations and the ability to connect to REST APIs greatly extend its capabilities.

❌ Limits:

• Learning curve: Although powerful, n8n can be more complex to learn for complete beginners compared to some alternatives more”No-code“.
• User interface: The interface, although functional, may seem less modern or intuitive for some users who are used to very refined tools.
• Business Support: For very large structures with very specific support needs, the offer may be less extensive than that of some purely commercial competitors, although an Enterprise plan exists.

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How much does n8n cost? (Prices 2025)

n8n offers several pricing options to adapt to different needs and scales of use. A free community version is available for self-hosting.

For Cloud offerings, here are the plans generally seen in early 2025 (prices may vary, always check the official n8n.io site for the most up-to-date information):

• Starter: Starting at €20 per month (or around $20 depending on the source). This plan includes a certain number of workflow executions (for example 2,500) and a limited number of active workflows (for example 5). It is ideal for individuals or small teams with basic automation needs.
• Pro: Starting at €50 per month (or around $50). This plan increases the number of executions (for example 10,000) and active workflows, and adds features for growing teams. It provides a good balance for most users.
• Company: Personalized pricing on quotation. This plan is for large organizations with scalability, advanced security, and dedicated support needs. It typically includes unlimited executions and advanced features.

n8n often offers a discount for annual payments (around 20%).

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Our opinion on n8n (Test & Recommendations)

After analysis, n8n proves to be an extremely powerful and versatile automation tool. Its node-based approach makes sense and makes it possible to clearly visualize even complex workflows.

The strengths observed are its unparalleled flexibility, especially with the option of self-hosting and the possibility of injecting custom code. The community is a major asset when it comes to finding help and examples. The pricing policy based on the execution of the workflow rather than the number of tasks is often more advantageous.

However, its power involves a slightly steeper learning curve for non-technical users compared to solutions like Zapier. The interface, while effective, could benefit from modernization for some.

n8n is particularly suitable for technical teams, developers, and businesses that need fine control over their automations and data. It's also a great choice for anyone looking for an adaptable open-source solution.

Our final score: 4.5/5

Alternatives to n8n

If n8n is not a perfect fit for your needs, here are some notable alternatives on the automation market in 2025:

• Zapier: Easier to use for beginners, with a very large library of integrations, but can become expensive on a large scale.
• Make (formerly Integromat): Offers a very popular visual interface and good flexibility, often falling between the simplicity of Zapier and the technicality of n8n.
• Pipedream: A developer-oriented alternative, offering great flexibility with code, and a “serverless” approach.
• Microsoft Power Automate: Well integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, powerful but can be complex and its pricing specific to this environment.

Integrations available with n8n

n8n shines by its ability to connect to a very large number of tools and services. It offers more than 1000 native integrations and the list is constantly growing.

You'll find integrations for:

• CRM: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, etc.
• CMS and e-Commerce: WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce.
• Communication: Slack, Discord, Gmail, Telegram.
• Project management: Trello, Asana, Jira, Notion, ClickUp.
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB.
• Cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3.
• Developer tools: GitHub, GitLab.
• Marketing: Mailchimp, SendGrid.
• Payment: Stripe.

Plus, thanks to its HTTP Request node and its ability to manage REST and GraphQL APIs, you can connect n8n to virtually any service that has an API. It is also part of a larger automation ecosystem, and although it is itself an alternative to Make or Zapier, it can interact with flows initiated by them if necessary via webhooks.

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How do I get started with n8n? (Quick guide)

Getting started with n8n is relatively easy, especially with the Cloud version:

1. Create an account: Go to the official n8n website (n8n.io) and choose a plan (or get started with the free trial). For self-hosting, follow the documentation for installing via Docker or npm.
2. Explore the interface: Get familiar with the dashboard, workflow editor, and node locations.
3. Create your first workflow: Start with a simple case, for example, getting a Slack notification when a specific email arrives in Gmail. Add the corresponding nodes (Gmail Trigger, Slack Node) and set them up.
4. Test and activate: Manually run your workflow to make sure it's working, then activate it to run automatically.
5. Check out the documentation and the community: For more complex workflows, official documentation and community forums are great resources.

The official site N8n.io has lots of guides and tutorials to get you started.

Need help integrating n8n into your projects?

Integrating a tool as powerful as n8n can radically transform your operations. If you want to exploit the full potential of n8n and adapt it perfectly to your specific business processes, expert support can be crucial.

At TurnK, we specialize in integrating automation solutions like n8n to optimize your productivity. Contact us to discuss your project and find out how we can help you automate workflows effectively.

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