Repetitive tasks can be a significant drain on time and resources. Moving data manually between applications, sending routine notifications or compiling reports take valuable time that could be spent on strategic work. Which is where workflow automation comes in handy, and in this article we will expand on workflow automation with n8n.
While many automation tools exist, n8n stands out as a versatile and powerful platform, particularly well suited for technical teams and those looking to integrate AI into their operations. It enables the creation of autonomous workflows that simplify even the most complex business processes.
What is n8n?
n8n is a workflow automation tool that lets you connect different apps, tools, platforms and services. It has something called “nodes”, and each node represents a specific action, like sending an email, reading data from a database or grabbing information from an API.
When you link the nodes together, you create a workflow. A workflow is a sequence of actions that run automatically based on a trigger. This trigger could be something simple like a new form of submission or an email arriving, or an event from another application.
n8n is considered a low code platform. Meaning it offers a visual interface where you can drag and drop nodes and configure them easily without writing custom code. However, its power comes from the flexibility to add code when needed. You can write JavaScript or Python code snippets directly within nodes to perform complex data transformations or implement custom logic. This hybrid approach makes n8n incredibly versatile, catering to users with different technical skills.
Why is n8n popular?
Seamless AI integration
n8n is designed to let you plug AI into your own data and integrate any Large Language Model (LLM) into your workflows. You can build complex, multistep AI agents directly within the platform. This allows you to create sophisticated AI powered workflows, such as automating clinical documentation with AI note generation or optimizing ticket pricing with dynamic demand modeling.
Code flexibility for complex logic
Unlike some simpler tools n8n doesn’t stay away from code. Its Code nodes allow you to write custom JavaScript or Python. This is crucial for complex data processing or implementing specific AI model interactions that might not be covered by pre-built nodes. You can even add libraries from npm or python in the self hosted version for even more power.
Connecting everything
n8n hosts a large number of integrations, with over 1000 applications. This includes popular tools like Google Sheets, Slack, Notion, Gmail, GitHub, Hubspot and many more. The ability to connect these diverse systems is essential for building comprehensive data pipelines and feeding your AI models the information they need.
Why choose n8n
- Self hosting for control and cost: One of n8n’s biggest advantages is its free, self hosted Community edition. You can install and run on your own servers. This gives you full control of your data and workflows. Compared to many cloud based automation tools, the cost of hosting in yourself can be significantly lower, sometimes by a factor of 4x or more, depending on your server choice. This is particularly attractive for cost sensitive businesses or those with strict data sovereignty requirements.
- Flexible pricing model: Whether you choose self hosted or in the cloud option, n8n has a generous pricing model. The self hosted community edition is free for most internal business uses. The cloud plans are also affordably priced and importantly, do not charge based on the complexity or number of steps in your workflow. This is a significant advantage over tools like Zapier or Make, where costs can escalate rapidly with complex or high volume automations.
- Developer friendly environment: n8n is highly regarded by developers for its robust features, including easy debugging with console logs and the ability to use external npm or Python packages in the self hosted version. Its open source nature also allows for exploring the code base on GitHub.
- Strong community and resources: With a community of over 200,000 members, you’re never alone when using n8n. There’s a wealth of community shared templates and support available. There are also hundreds of pre-made workflow templates available to help you get started quickly.
Use Cases for n8n
- Data synchronization: Keep data consistent across platforms like your CRM and project management software.
- Automated reporting: Collect and compile data from various sources and deliver reports automatically.
- Web scraping and data collection: Extract information from websites or applications for analysis or integration into workflows.
- Notifications: Send automatic alerts via Slack, email or SMS based on specific triggers like new orders or system events.
- Invoice and payment processing: Automate steps like payments retries, status updates and generating and sending invoices.
- Building data pipelines: Create complex pipelines to move and transform data between different systems for analysis or AI processing.
Alternatives to workflow automation with n8n?
While tools like Zapier and Make are popular, they often target a less technical audience and can be limiting or expensive for complex tasks. Zapier is known for being very beginner friendly but offers limited customizability. n8n, with its code flexibility and self hosting option, provides more power and control, making it a better choice for sophisticated workflows and technical teams.
Conclusion
n8n is a powerful and flexible automation tool that empowers businesses to build sophisticated business workflows to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort. Its lowcode interface makes it accessible, while its deep code integration caters to technical needs. Coupled with its cost effective self hosting option and generous cloud pricing, n8n offers a compelling alternative to traditional automation platforms.
For businesses looking to build advanced data pipelines, integrate AI models, and automate complex processes, n8n provides the necessary tools and flexibility. Leveraging n8n effectively requires understanding its capabilities and how to best apply them to your specific business challenges.
This is where we come in. As an AI consultancy, we specialise in helping businesses design, implement, and optimise solutions. We offer a n8n automation workshop and n8n demo that will help you apply n8n into your business operations.
