n8n started out as “Zapier for geeks” — and over the course of a few years, it has turned into a serious tool that even enterprises take seriously. As of 2026, it is one of the most mature open-source automation engines on the market.
What Is n8n
It is a visual automation builder that you can deploy on your own server. Unlike Zapier or Make, n8n gives you full control: no limits on the number of steps in a workflow, no per-operation fees, and no third-party servers where your data runs.
Technically, n8n uses a “fair-source” license (Sustainable Use License) rather than pure open source, but for 99% of users the difference is irrelevant: the code is open, and the self-hosted version is free.
Key Features
Over 400 integrations. A visual editor based on a Node-RED-like approach: nodes connected by lines, making the logic obvious. It supports: HTTP requests, webhooks, database operations, data transformation via built-in JavaScript/Python, branching, loops, and error handling.
AI nodes deserve a special mention: you can embed an LLM directly into a workflow — classifying text, generating responses, summarizing.
Self-Hosting: Simple, but with Nuances
It goes up via Docker Compose in 5 minutes. The database is PostgreSQL. For production, you will need to set up HTTPS, but that is solved with an nginx proxy.
Resource requirements: a VPS with 2 GB RAM is enough for 50–100 active workflows. If you have many heavy workflows — 4 GB.
Updates are frequent; major versions sometimes break node compatibility, so read the changelog before docker pull.
What’s Missing
There is no mobile app. Real-time collaboration is only available in the paid cloud version. Built-in execution analytics is somewhat limited — you will need to plug in an external solution.
Verdict
n8n is the choice for those who understand the value of data control and don’t want to pay for every little thing. If you have more than 20 automations — a self-hosted n8n pays for itself within a month.