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What is n8n? Intro to a workflow automation tool

n8n


Introduction

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, organizations of all sizes need efficient, reliable ways to connect their applications, automate repetitive tasks, and streamline data flows. Workflow automation tools have emerged as a definitive answer to these needs, enabling teams to eliminate manual processes, reduce errors, and boost productivity. Among the growing list of automation platforms, n8n stands out as an open-source, flexible solution that empowers developers, IT teams, and business users alike.

This comprehensive blog post delves into what n8n is, how it works, its key features, and why it’s rapidly gaining traction among automation enthusiasts. We’ll explore use cases, setup guidelines, comparisons with other tools, best practices, and potential challenges. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to leverage n8n for your own workflows—and you’ll find answers to 20 frequently asked questions at the close of this post.

What Is n8n?

n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is an open-source workflow automation tool that enables users to connect various applications, services, and databases through visual workflows. Unlike proprietary tools that lock you into specific pricing tiers or limit integrations, n8n provides full access to its codebase, allowing you to self-host, customize, and extend functionality according to your unique requirements.

At its core, n8n is designed around the concept of nodes and workflows. Each node represents an action, trigger, or conditional logic step—such as sending an email via SMTP, querying a database like MySQL or PostgreSQL, or connecting to popular SaaS platforms such as Gmail, Slack, or Trello. Workflows are visual diagrams that sequence these nodes, allowing you to automate complex, multi-step processes without writing extensive code. However, if you need custom JavaScript logic, n8n supports that too.

Unlike closed-source competitors like Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat), n8n is distributed under the Apache 2.0 license, which grants greater freedom to inspect, modify, and integrate the platform into your infrastructure. This open philosophy has led to a vibrant community of contributors creating new nodes, sharing workflows, and building a rich ecosystem around n8n.

History and Background

n8n was founded in 2019 by Jan Oberhauser in Berlin, Germany. The original motivation behind n8n was to fill a gap in the market for a powerful, self-hostable automation tool that combined ease of use with code-level flexibility. Early contributors recognized that many enterprises wanted an alternative to SaaS-only platforms that could be fully controlled on-premises, ensuring data privacy and security.

In 2020, n8n launched its first public beta, followed by an official 1.0 release in early 2021. Since then, the project has grown rapidly. Today, the n8n community includes thousands of users, hundreds of contributors, and dozens of official nodes covering the most popular APIs and services. n8n’s open model also attracted backing from investors, enabling the core development team to expand features while maintaining the free, open-source version.

Major milestones in n8n’s evolution include the introduction of its cloud-hosted SaaS offering (n8n.cloud), support for custom function nodes (JavaScript), and the addition of workflows credentials management. The platform also integrated with Kubernetes, Docker Compose, and various hosting providers, making deployment flexible for different technical environments.

Key Features of n8n

n8n’s feature set is designed to cater to both non-technical business users and seasoned developers. Below are some of the standout features:

1. Visual Workflow Designer

The drag-and-drop interface allows you to construct workflows by stacking nodes. Each node can be configured via a form-based UI, where you define API keys, parameters, and conditional logic. Real-time feedback and inline validation help catch errors early, and you can test individual nodes without executing the entire workflow.

2. Over 200 Pre-Built Integrations

n8n offers native integrations—called “nodes”—for popular services like Slack, Google Sheets, GitHub, Stripe, Twilio, Salesforce, and many more. Each node abstracts away the complexity of API calls, making it simple to authenticate and execute actions.

3. Self-Hosted and Cloud Options

You can run n8n on your own server using Docker, Kubernetes, or as a standalone Node.js application. Alternatively, n8n.cloud provides a managed, scalable environment if you prefer not to maintain infrastructure. Regardless of deployment choice, workflows designed locally can be exported and imported seamlessly.

4. Custom JavaScript Code Execution

For scenarios where existing nodes don’t meet specific needs, n8n allows you to insert JavaScript code via the “Function” and “Function Item” nodes. This feature unlocks the ability to manipulate data programmatically, call private APIs, or implement complex transformations within the workflow.

5. Conditional Logic and Branching

Real-world workflows often require decision points. n8n provides If and Switch nodes to branch workflows based on parameters, such as response codes, string matches, or numeric comparisons. This ensures that workflows can adapt dynamically to varying inputs.

6. Scheduled and Event-Based Triggers

n8n supports different types of triggers, including:

  • Cron/Schedule Trigger: Run workflows at specific intervals (e.g., every hour, daily, or weekly).
  • Webhook Trigger: Invoke workflows when an HTTP request is received—ideal for real-time integrations with external services.
  • Poll Triggers: Check APIs for updates (e.g., new rows in a Google Sheet or new issues in GitHub) at defined intervals.

7. Variables and Expressions

n8n uses a JavaScript-based expression syntax to reference data from previous nodes. This allows for dynamic insertion of variables—such as pulling a user ID from one node to pass into another API call. Expressions can include string interpolation, JSONPath queries, or JavaScript functions.

8. Secure Credentials Management

All API keys, OAuth tokens, and other sensitive credentials are stored encrypted in the database. Each workflow references credentials securely without exposing them in plaintext. For enterprise deployments, you can integrate with secret management tools like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager.

9. Collaborative Workspace

n8n supports multiple users with role-based access control (RBAC) in its cloud offering, allowing teams to collaborate on workflows. While the self-hosted version is single-tenant by default, it can be extended with third-party authentication (e.g., LDAP, OAuth) and a reverse proxy for SSO integration.

10. Version Control and Workflow Export/Import

Workflows can be exported as JSON files, which makes it possible to version control them using Git. This is crucial for maintaining an audit trail, rolling back changes, and synchronizing workflows across environments (development, staging, production).

How n8n Works

Understanding n8n’s workflow execution model is key to designing efficient automations. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how a typical n8n workflow functions:

1. Trigger Initialization

When you set up a workflow, you start with a trigger node (e.g., Cron, Webhook, or Poll). As soon as the trigger condition is met (e.g., an HTTP request arrives, or a specified time is reached), n8n initiates the workflow execution.

2. Node-by-Node Execution

After the trigger, each subsequent node executes in sequence or in parallel (depending on branching logic). Data generated by one node is passed to the next as “items,” which are JSON objects containing key-value pairs. For example:

  • Node 1 (HTTP Request): Fetches a list of new GitHub issues.
  • Node 2 (IF): Checks if the issue contains specific labels.
  • Node 3a (Slack): Notifies a Slack channel if criteria match.
  • Node 3b (Google Sheets): Records the issue details in a spreadsheet if criteria do not match.

3. Data Transformation

If data needs to be reformatted (e.g., dates converted to a different timezone, strings concatenated, or arrays filtered), n8n’s Function nodes let you inject custom JavaScript. This capability is especially useful when the built-in nodes do not offer desired transformations.

4. Conditional Branching

The If or Switch node evaluates incoming data items and routes them through different branches. Each branch can have entirely independent node chains, enabling highly customizable workflows.

5. Final Actions and Responses

Once the workflow completes all branches, n8n writes logs and outputs summary information. If a Webhook trigger was involved, n8n can send a response back to the originating service, confirming successful execution or detailing any errors.

6. Logging and Error Handling

n8n logs each execution step in its database. If a node fails (e.g., due to an API error), you can configure retries, timeouts, and error workflows that notify team members or trigger fallback procedures. The workflow editor highlights errors in red, indicating where to focus debugging efforts.

Use Cases and Industry Applications

n8n’s flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of scenarios across industries. Here are some common use cases:

1. Marketing Automation

Marketing teams can use n8n to automate lead capture, email nurturing, social media posting, and campaign analytics. For example:

  • Automatically add new leads from HubSpot to a Google Sheet and send a welcome email via SendGrid.
  • Track mentions of your brand on Twitter and notify a Slack channel for social media engagement.
  • Schedule and publish posts to Facebook and LinkedIn at optimal times.

2. Customer Support and CRM

Support teams can integrate n8n with helpdesk platforms like Zendesk or Freshdesk to automate ticket management:

  • Create a ticket in Zendesk when a form is submitted on your website.
  • Analyze sentiment using a natural language processing API and escalate tickets based on negative feedback.
  • Sync resolved tickets with a CRM like Salesforce to update customer records automatically.

3. E-Commerce Order Processing

E-commerce businesses can streamline order fulfillment, inventory management, and customer notifications:

  • Trigger a workflow when a new order appears in Shopify or WooCommerce.
  • Check inventory levels from a database or ERP system; if stock is low, notify purchasing staff via email or Slack.
  • Send shipping confirmation emails to customers and create tracking updates in a Google Sheet for reporting.

4. DevOps and Infrastructure Automation

IT teams can leverage n8n for tasks like server health checks, incident alerts, and code deployment pipelines:

  • Monitor AWS CloudWatch metrics, and if CPU usage surpasses a threshold, automatically scale up EC2 instances.
  • Trigger a Jenkins or GitLab CI/CD pipeline when code is pushed to the main branch in GitHub.
  • Notify on-call engineers in PagerDuty or Opsgenie when infrastructure failures occur.

5. Data Synchronization and ETL

Organizations often need to move data between systems or perform Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) operations. n8n simplifies this:

  • Extract sales data from a MySQL database, transform it into the required format, and load it into a data warehouse like BigQuery.
  • Sync customer records between CRM systems—for example, from Salesforce to Microsoft Dynamics 365—ensuring data consistency.
  • Collect data from multiple APIs (e.g., marketing analytics, web analytics) and consolidate into a central reporting dashboard.

6. IoT and Smart Home Integrations

Even personal projects can benefit from n8n’s triggers and actions. For instance:

  • When a sensor detects motion, send a notification to your phone via Telegram.
  • Automatically log temperature readings from a Raspberry Pi into a Google Sheet for tracking.
  • Trigger smart lights to turn on when specific conditions are met (e.g., sunset, weather changes).

Getting Started with n8n

Installing and configuring n8n can be straightforward—especially if you’re already familiar with Docker. Below is a step-by-step guide to get you up and running:

1. System Requirements

Ensure you have:

  • A server or VM running Linux (Ubuntu is common), macOS, or Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
  • Docker and Docker Compose installed (recommended approach).
  • At least 2 GB of RAM and 1 CPU core for small-to-medium workflows. Production environments may require more resources depending on workload.

2. Installation via Docker

Create a directory for n8n and add a docker-compose.yml file with the following content:

version: "3.1"
```

services:
n8n:
image: n8nio/n8n\:latest
restart: always
ports:
\- "5678:5678"
environment:
\- DB\_TYPE=sqlite
\- N8N\_BASIC\_AUTH\_ACTIVE=true
\- N8N\_BASIC\_AUTH\_USER=\<YOUR\_USERNAME>
\- N8N\_BASIC\_AUTH\_PASSWORD=\<YOUR\_PASSWORD>
\- N8N\_HOST=localhost
\- N8N\_PORT=5678
\- N8N\_PROTOCOL=http
\- GENERIC\_TIMEZONE=UTC
\- NODE\_FUNCTION\_ALLOW\_EXTERNAL=fs
volumes:
\- ./n8n\_data:/home/node/.n8n

Replace \<YOUR\_USERNAME> and \<YOUR\_PASSWORD> with your desired login credentials. Save the file and run:

docker-compose up -d

After a minute, n8n will be accessible at [http://localhost:5678](http://localhost:5678). Log in using the credentials you set.

3. Installation via npm

If you prefer not to use Docker, you can install n8n globally with npm:

npm install n8n -g

Then initialize a basic SQLite database and start the service:

n8n init
n8n start

By default, it will run on port 5678. You can customize environment variables in your shell or a .env file.

4. Basic Workflow Creation

Once logged in, click “New” to create your first workflow. Follow these steps:

  1. Add a Trigger Node: Drag the “Webhook” or “Cron” node onto the canvas. Configure the path (for Webhook) or schedule (for Cron).
  2. Add an Action Node: Drag the “HTTP Request,” “Gmail,” or another integration node. Connect it to the trigger node’s output.
  3. Configure Credentials: Click “Credentials” in the node’s settings, then add API keys or OAuth tokens for the service you’re connecting.
  4. Test the Node: Use “Execute Node” to run just that step and verify results. For webhooks, send a test request (e.g., using cURL or Postman).
  5. Add More Logic: Insert “Function,” “If,” or “Switch” nodes as needed to manipulate data or branch the workflow.
  6. Activate Workflow: Once satisfied, toggle the workflow to “Active.” It will run automatically based on the trigger conditions.

5. Data Persistence and Database Configuration

While SQLite is fine for testing and small projects, production environments typically require PostgreSQL or MySQL for scalability. To switch databases, adjust environment variables:

DB\_TYPE=postgresdb
DB\_POSTGRESDB\_HOST=\<YOUR\_DB\_HOST>
DB\_POSTGRESDB\_PORT=5432
DB\_POSTGRESDB\_DATABASE=\<YOUR\_DB\_NAME>
DB\_POSTGRESDB\_USER=\<YOUR\_DB\_USER>
DB\_POSTGRESDB\_PASSWORD=\<YOUR\_DB\_PASSWORD>

Then restart n8n. Your workflows, credentials, and logs will be stored in the chosen database.

6. Security Best Practices

To ensure your n8n instance is secure, consider the following:

  • Enable Basic Auth or integrate with OAuth/SSO providers for user authentication.
  • Run n8n behind a reverse proxy (e.g., NGINX) with HTTPS termination using certificates from Let’s Encrypt.
  • Restrict access to the n8n port (5678) by using a firewall or VPN.
  • Store credentials securely—avoid exposing them in plain text within workflow nodes.

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n8n vs. Other Automation Tools

To appreciate n8n’s strengths, it’s helpful to compare it with popular alternatives such as Zapier, Make, and Automate.io. Below are some key differentiators:

1. Licensing and Cost

  • n8n: Open-source under Apache 2.0. Self-hosted version is free; n8n.cloud has usage-based pricing. No per-user or per-task limits when self-hosted.
  • Zapier: Proprietary and subscription-based. Limits on tasks (runs) per month, number of Zaps (workflows), and premium app integrations.
  • Make (Integromat): Freemium model with tiered pricing based on operations and data transfer. Advanced features locked behind higher plans.
  • Automate.io: Similar subscription model with limits on tasks and bots (workflows). Prices increase with usage.

2. Self-Hosting vs. SaaS-Only

  • n8n: Can be self-hosted on any infrastructure, giving you full control over data, security, and customization. Managed n8n.cloud available for teams that prefer a SaaS approach.
  • Zapier, Make, Automate.io: SaaS-only; workflows and data reside on their servers. No option to host on-premises or private cloud.

3. Custom Code and Extensibility

  • n8n: First-class support for custom JavaScript via Function nodes. You can also develop and share custom nodes using TypeScript.
  • Zapier: Offers a “Code by Zapier” step where you can write JavaScript (Node.js), but with execution time and environment limitations.
  • Make: Provides built-in tools for data transformations but limited pure code support compared to n8n.
  • Automate.io: Minimal code support; mainly relies on predefined actions and conditions.

4. Number of Integrations

Each platform supports hundreds or thousands of apps. However, n8n’s open-source nature means the community often builds new integrations quickly, and you can create custom nodes to integrate niche services. Zapier and Make maintain large, officially verified integration catalogs, but adding new integrations outside their ecosystem requires waiting for their development teams.

5. Workflow Complexity and Limits

  • n8n: No artificial limits on the number of nodes or concurrent executions when self-hosted. Enterprise users of n8n.cloud may have quotas depending on plan.
  • Zapier: Limits based on plan—for example, multi-step Zaps beyond a certain node count require higher tiers.
  • Make: Pricing tiers are based on “operations” and data volume, effectively limiting how much you can run per month.
  • Automate.io: Similar limits based on tasks per month and number of bots allowed.

6. Community and Support

n8n has an active GitHub repository, community forums, and Discord channel where users can request help, share workflows, and open feature requests. Zapier and Make also have extensive knowledge bases, help centers, and community forums; however, direct support often requires a paid plan.

Tips and Best Practices

1. Start Small and Iterate

Begin with a simple workflow to understand how nodes interact. Once you’re comfortable, layer in conditional logic or additional services. Iterative development helps catch issues early and keeps workflows manageable.

2. Use Environment Variables for Sensitive Data

Instead of hardcoding API keys or tokens inside nodes, define them as environment variables or credentials. This practice makes it easier to move workflows between environments (development, staging, production) without exposing secrets.

3. Leverage Version Control

Export your workflows as JSON and commit them to a Git repository. This approach provides history, enables rollbacks, and fosters collaborative development—especially useful when multiple team members touch the same workflows.

4. Use Descriptive Node Names

Rename nodes with meaningful labels (e.g., “Fetch New Shopify Orders” instead of “HTTP Request1”). Clear naming conventions make workflows easier to maintain, especially as they grow in complexity.

5. Implement Error Workflows

Add “Error Trigger” nodes to catch failures and route them to alerting mechanisms—such as sending a Slack message or an email. Proper error handling ensures you’re notified when something goes wrong instead of discovering issues after the fact.

6. Optimize for Performance

When dealing with large data sets (e.g., processing thousands of rows), consider chunking data and using the “Split In Batches” node to avoid memory bottlenecks. Monitor server resource usage and scale vertically or horizontally as needed.

7. Document Workflows Thoroughly

Include comments or notes inside nodes to explain critical steps. Even if you’re the only one working on a project now, future collaborators (or your future self) will appreciate clear documentation.

8. Secure Your Instance

Always run n8n behind HTTPS. Use strong credentials, rotate API keys regularly, and restrict network access using firewalls or VPNs. If using n8n.cloud, enable two-factor authentication if available.

Common Challenges and Solutions

1. Handling Large Payloads

Challenge: Workflows that fetch or process large JSON payloads (e.g., API endpoints returning thousands of records) can exhaust memory or timeout.
Solution: Use pagination nodes or “Split In Batches” to process data in smaller chunks. If the data source supports filtering, retrieve only the necessary subset of records.

2. Managing API Rate Limits

Challenge: Many APIs impose rate limits (e.g., 100 requests per minute). Exceeding limits can lead to errors or blocked requests.
Solution: Use delay nodes or implement retry logic with exponential backoff. Review the target API’s documentation to adjust your workflow’s pace accordingly.

3. Complex Authentication Flows

Challenge: Some services require OAuth 2.0 flows with refresh tokens and scopes, which can be tricky to configure.
Solution: Rely on official n8n credential nodes when available—they often handle token refreshing automatically. For custom implementations, store both access and refresh tokens, and add nodes to request new access tokens when expired.

4. Debugging Multi-Branch Workflows

Challenge: When workflows split into multiple branches, it can be challenging to trace which path a specific data item took.
Solution: Use the “Set” node to add custom labels or metadata to items before branching. This way, when inspecting execution logs, you can filter or search by these labels to track items through different paths.

5. Upgrading n8n in Production

Challenge: Breaking changes between major versions can cause workflows to fail after an upgrade.
Solution: Review the official upgrade guide before applying updates. Test new versions in a staging environment and back up your database prior to upgrading production.

6. Maintaining Workflow Performance Over Time

Challenge: As the number of workflows grows, server load can spike, causing delays or failures.
Solution: Monitor resource usage (CPU, memory). Horizontal scaling with Kubernetes or running multiple n8n containers behind a load balancer can distribute workload. Archive or disable inactive workflows to conserve resources.

Future of Workflow Automation

Workflow automation is evolving rapidly. As AI and machine learning technologies mature, we expect to see deeper integrations with natural language processing (NLP), predictive analytics, and intelligent decision-making capabilities built directly into platforms like n8n. Below are some trends to watch:

1. AI-Driven Decision Nodes

Future workflow tools may include nodes that can analyze text, images, or metrics and make autonomous decisions—such as classifying support tickets by sentiment or predicting customer churn. n8n’s open architecture allows integration with AI APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Hugging Face), paving the way for smarter automations.

2. Low-Code/No-Code Enhancements

As citizen developers proliferate, user interfaces will continue to simplify. Drag-and-drop builders with pre-built templates will enable non-technical users to create complex workflows without understanding underlying APIs. n8n already supports many no-code connections, and future releases may expand intuitive UI features.

3. Event-Driven Architecture

The rise of event streaming platforms (e.g., Kafka, AWS Kinesis) will shift workflows from scheduled or polled triggers to real-time event consumption. n8n can integrate with Webhook triggers today, and future enhancements might include native support for event streams, enabling near-instantaneous reactions to data changes.

4. Enhanced Collaboration and Governance

As teams grow, governance features—such as approval workflows, audit trails, and role-based access controls—will become crucial. n8n.cloud’s enterprise plans already include some of these features, and we anticipate more robust compliance and collaboration tools in upcoming versions.

5. Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Deployments

Companies often require workflows that span on-premises systems and multiple cloud environments. n8n’s portability makes it well-suited for hybrid deployments. Future releases may streamline multi-cloud orchestration, enabling workflows to seamlessly move data between AWS, Azure, and private data centers.

Conclusion

n8n has quickly become a favorite among developers, IT professionals, and business users seeking a flexible, open-source workflow automation solution. Its combination of a visual workflow designer, extensive integrations, customizable code nodes, and the ability to self-host makes it uniquely powerful. Whether you’re automating simple tasks—like sending Slack notifications—or building complex, multi-step data pipelines, n8n provides the tools and extensibility to meet your needs.

As workflow automation continues to advance, n8n’s open model ensures that users are not locked into restrictive pricing or limited feature sets. With a thriving community and ongoing development, n8n is poised to remain at the forefront of automation innovation.

Ready to transform your workflows? Visit the official n8n website to explore documentation, watch tutorials, and start building your first workflow today.

Frequently Asked Questions (20)

1. What makes n8n different from Zapier or Make?

Unlike proprietary tools, n8n is open-source (Apache 2.0), allowing self-hosting, custom node development, and full access to the codebase. There are no limits on tasks or workflows when self-hosted, and you can inspect/modify the source at will.

2. Do I need to know how to code to use n8n?

No. You can create workflows entirely using the visual designer and pre-built nodes. However, if you want to implement custom data transformations or integrate a niche API, n8n supports JavaScript via Function nodes.

3. Can I host n8n on-premises?

Yes. n8n can be self-hosted using Docker, Kubernetes, or a Node.js setup on your own server. This provides full control over data, security, and resource allocation.

4. What databases does n8n support?

n8n supports SQLite (default), PostgreSQL, and MySQL. For production, PostgreSQL is recommended for scalability and reliability.

5. How many integrations (nodes) does n8n offer?

As of mid-2025, n8n provides over 200 pre-built nodes covering popular services like Google Sheets, Slack, GitHub, Salesforce, Stripe, Twilio, and many more. The list is continuously growing thanks to community contributions.

6. Is n8n free?

The self-hosted version of n8n is completely free under the Apache 2.0 license. n8n.cloud (managed SaaS) has usage-based pricing, with a free tier for basic usage and paid plans for larger workloads.

7. How do I secure my n8n instance?

Best practices include running behind HTTPS (via Let’s Encrypt certificates), enabling Basic Auth or OAuth on user access, restricting network access with firewalls or VPNs, and storing credentials using environment variables or secret management tools.

8. Can n8n handle large workflows with hundreds of nodes?

Yes. When self-hosted on adequate hardware, n8n can run complex workflows with hundreds of nodes. Performance depends on server resources—CPU, memory, and storage speed. For very large workloads, consider horizontal scaling with Kubernetes.

9. Does n8n support real-time triggers?

Yes. You can use Webhook triggers for real-time event handling. n8n also offers poll triggers (e.g., checking an API every minute) and schedule triggers (Cron) for periodic tasks.

10. How do I manage credentials securely in n8n?

Credentials (API keys, OAuth tokens) are stored encrypted in n8n’s database. You define credentials in the Credentials section and reference them in nodes. For enterprises, you can integrate with external secret managers like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager.

11. Can I version control my workflows?

Yes. Workflows can be exported as JSON files. You can store these files in Git repositories to track changes, roll back to previous versions, and collaborate with teams.

12. What happens if a node in my workflow fails?

n8n logs errors and highlights failed nodes in red. You can configure retries and timeouts. For advanced error handling, add “Error Trigger” nodes to capture failures and notify teams via Slack, email, or other channels.

13. Does n8n integrate with cloud services like AWS, Azure, or GCP?

Yes. n8n offers nodes for AWS (S3, EC2, Lambda), Google Cloud services (Sheets, Drive, BigQuery), and Microsoft Azure (SQL, Blob storage). You can also execute CLI commands on remote servers using SSH nodes.

14. How do I scale n8n for enterprise use?

For enterprise deployments, run n8n on Kubernetes or Docker Swarm, configuring horizontal scaling with multiple replicas. Use PostgreSQL for the database, set up a load balancer, and monitor performance metrics. n8n.cloud’s enterprise plans handle scaling automatically for you.

15. Can I create custom nodes in n8n?

Absolutely. Developers can write custom nodes using TypeScript. The n8n documentation provides step-by-step guides on node development, testing, and publishing. Custom nodes let you integrate proprietary APIs or internal services.

16. Is there a marketplace for n8n workflows?

While there’s no centralized “marketplace” like Zapier’s App Directory, the n8n community shares workflows on GitHub, forums, and Discord. You can search the official n8n documentation and community repositories for templates and examples.

17. How do I back up my n8n data?

Backing up n8n involves exporting your database (SQLite, PostgreSQL, or MySQL) and the n8n_data folder if you’re using files. For PostgreSQL/MySQL, schedule regular dumps using cron jobs. For SQLite, copy the database file while n8n is stopped or use the SQLite online backup API.

18. Can I migrate workflows from Zapier or Make to n8n?

There’s no automated importer yet, but you can manually recreate Zapier Zaps or Make scenarios in n8n by identifying equivalent nodes and recreating logic. The visual difference may require adjustments, but n8n’s flexibility often makes this feasible.

19. Does n8n support team collaboration?

The self-hosted version is single-tenant by default, but you can implement role-based access controls by integrating with external authentication (e.g., LDAP, OAuth). n8n.cloud includes user management, RBAC, and audit logs for enterprise teams.

20. Where can I find support and resources for n8n?

Visit the official n8n documentation, join the community forum, or hop onto the n8n Discord channel. You can also find tutorials on YouTube, blog posts, and third-party courses to deepen your expertise.