n8n review (2025)

As businesses grow, so does the need to automate tasks. Some tasks can become time-consuming, impacting your company’s productivity and bottom line. For example, simple actions such as order processing and inventory management can take up a lot of extra time. That’s where n8n can be handy. This tool can be used to create customized workflows and automate tasks, saving time and effort.

n8n is a powerful, open-source workflow automation software that allows you to connect different apps and automate tasks without writing a single line of code. Its intuitive, drag-and-drop interface makes building complex workflows accessible to everyone, regardless of your technical expertise. n8n is a great platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that don’t have huge budgets to spend on platforms like HubSpot, but still need to streamline their operations.

I worked with the Cybernews research team to thoroughly test the n8n platform, putting it through its paces to understand the capabilities and limitations of this tool. In this review, I’ll detail everything you need to know about n8n, including its features, price, and reliability, to help you decide whether this software is right for your business. I’ll also highlight some n8n alternatives worth exploring.

Quick overview of n8n

Overall rating:	4.5/5
Description:	AI-native workflow automation software
Pricing (annual billing with 17% savings):	Starter: $20 per month Pro: $50 per month Enterprise: custom pricing
Free trial:	Available on Start and Pro plans
Key features:	Workflow management, visual editor, debugging, secure deployments, extensive template library, custom workflow creation, webhooks & triggers, data transformation, self-hostable or cloud option, open source
Use cases:	IT operations, security operations, lead automation, limitless integrations, backend prototyping, embedded automation, supercharge your CRM

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What is n8n and how does it work?

n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool designed to streamline and automate processes by connecting different applications and services. Its primary purpose is to interconnect systems in your business, allowing them to work together. For example, if you receive an appointment on Calendly, you can set up an n8n workflow to automatically add that appointment to different calendars and have it reflected on all your services and apps.

The platform n8n uses is built with TypeScript and Node.js, allowing cross-platform compatibility and a scalable architecture. It’s also open-source with a fair code license, which means it greatly benefits from community contributions and has a self-hosting option.

Here are some of the core features of n8n:

• Visual workflow editor. An easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface for designing and building workflows.
• Extensive template library. A large collection of pre-built scenarios for connecting various applications and services.
• Custom workflow creation. The ability to create custom workflows for unique integrations.
• Webhooks. Support for webhooks, enabling real-time automation triggered by events in other applications.
• Data transformation. Tools for manipulating and transforming data within workflows.
• Self-hosting. The option to self-host n8n gives you better control over data and security.
• Cloud hosting. There’s also a cloud-hosted version of n8n.
• AI capabilities. This allows for more intelligent workflows.

Pros and cons of n8n

Below, I’ve distilled the main pros and cons of n8n to give you a balanced overview of this platform:

Key features of n8n

The core functionality of n8n is to build workflows and automation. There are a couple of key features that put this platform ahead of the competition. For starters, n8n is leading the charge in integrating artificial intelligence (AI). This feature alone puts it head and shoulders above its competition in the industry and gives it a unique advantage. Here are a couple of things we like about n8n:

Affordable

n8n is an open-source platform with a self-hosting option, so it’s incredibly cost-effective. This is a huge advantage for small businesses, startups, and individuals who need powerful automation capabilities without pricey licensing fees. The cloud-based options are also competitively priced if that's the route you want to go with. n8n starts at just $20 per month for the Starter package and increases to $50 monthly for the Pro plan.

Flexible and scalable

n8n's self-hosting capability gives the platform great flexibility and scalability. You have complete control over its infrastructure, allowing you to customize the platform to your needs. Businesses can scale as they grow, adding more workflows, integrations, and resources without the limitations of proprietary platforms.

Visual workflow creation

n8n's visual workflow editor is a game-changer for automation. The drag-and-drop interface eliminates the need for extensive coding knowledge, making it easy for anyone, regardless of technical background, to create complex workflows. The visual approach to workflow creation massively simplifies the design, understanding, and troubleshooting of automation on the platform.

Integrations

n8n's extensive library of integrations, with over 400+ apps, ensures seamless connectivity between a wide range of applications and services. You can use n8n to automate workflows that span multiple platforms, streamlining data flow and eliminating manual data transfer. With such a wide range of integrations (and still growing), you can integrate n8n into virtually any existing tech stack.

Community support

n8n has an active community. This is an incredibly valuable resource for users. With forums, Discord, and Telegram channels, you can easily find answers to questions, share knowledge, and work with other n8n users. This community support makes it easier to troubleshoot problems, get fresh ideas, and make the most of n8n.

n8n pricing and plans

	Starter	Pro	Enterprise
Pricing (annual)	$20 per month	$50 per month	Custom
Pricing (monthly)	$24 per month	$60 per month	Custom
Free trial	Yes	Yes	No
Shared projects	1	3	Unlimited
No. of executions saved	2.5k	25k	50k
Concurrent executions	5	20	200+
Max execution time	5 mins	40 mins	Unlimited
Execution log retention	7 days	30 days	Unlimited
Workflow history	1 day	5 days	365 days
Key features	Unlimited users Forum support	Admin roles Global variables Workflow history Execution search	SSO SAML and LDAP Different environments External secret store integration Log streaming Version control using Git Scaling options Extended data retention Dedicated support with SLA Invoice billing

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If you choose the Starter plan, you can get n8n for just $20 per month (paid annually). This is great for individuals who want to streamline their work with workflows and automation. You won’t get all its features, but you’ll have enough access to set up workflows that can help you save time and make your life easier.

The Pro plan works great if you’re running an SME and need additional access to n8n and a few extra perks. At just $50 per month (paid annually), your business will get a welcome addition to its tech stack. With over 400 apps to integrate, n8n will fit right in with your current business systems.

The Enterprise plan gives larger businesses full access to n8n and everything the powerful platform offers. However, the cost of this plan is not indicated, as pricing is customized based on each business’s needs. You can contact n8n’s sales team to get an accurate quote on the Enterprise plan.

n8n: user experience

The best way to understand n8n's capabilities is to get feedback directly from real users. So, I combed through user reviews to get a candid peek into people’s experiences with n8n.

One user said they had an incredibly positive experience automating tasks with n8n, stating they were “instantly hooked.” According to the user, n8n's visual interface and well-designed modules contribute to a positive user experience. Compared to Automatisch and Activepieces, the user said n8n is far more elaborate than the other two, and its installation was straightforward.

However, the user noted there are areas for improvement, particularly regarding the clarity of certain interface elements and the pricing strategy for specific n8n features. The user also stated that n8n was not their first choice since some features on the platform are paid.

Another user, who said they were new to automation, found n8n challenging but ultimately rewarding. They relied on AI assistance (ChatGPT and Gemini) to build their first automation. While they experienced frustration and nearly gave up, they appreciate n8n's functionality, particularly the ability to copy/paste work items for AI-powered help.

How to use n8n

Here’s a brief step-by-step guide explaining how to use n8n and create custom workflows:

Getting started

First, you must choose your n8n deployment method and connect your first app to the platform.

1. Choose your deployment method:

• Self-hosting: While self-hosting gives you greater control over the platform and is more cost-effective for long-term use, it requires technical expertise to set up and maintain the platform. With that said, here’s how to get started self-hosting n8n:

1. Download and install Docker or Node.js.
2. Follow the official n8n documentation for self-hosting instructions (refer to their website).

• Cloud-based: Cloud-based hosting is perfect for beginners or small businesses that lack the infrastructure to host this platform. It’s easier to set up and costs less upfront. However, it’s more limited than self-hosting and costs more in the long run. Here’s how to get started using n8n on the cloud.

1. Visit the n8n Cloud website (n8n.io) and create an account.
2. Choose a plan and follow the on-screen instructions to create your instance.

2. Connect your first app:

• Find the node: In the n8n interface, search for the option linked to the app you want to connect (e.g., "Google Drive," "Gmail," or "Slack").
• Add credentials: Click the node and follow the prompts to enter your API keys, tokens, or other necessary credentials. Refer to the app's documentation to find these credentials.

Creating workflows

It’s easy to create workflows on n8n. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Start a new workflow: In the n8n dashboard, click "Create new workflow."

• (Optional) Use a template: Explore the templates available in the n8n library and choose one that suits your needs. You can modify the template and tweak it as needed.

2. Add scenarios: Drag and drop scenarios from the n8n library onto the workflow canvas.

• Common starting points include "Trigger" nodes such as "Schedule" and "Webhook," and "Data" nodes like "if" and "Set."

3. Connect steps: Draw lines between the building blocks to define the data flow and actions.

• Configure each step, such as input data, output data, and any specific parameters.

4. Test your workflow: Run the workflow manually to test its functionality.

• Monitor the workflow execution in the Executions tab to identify and troubleshoot any issues.

Here’s a sample workflow: "Send a Slack Message When a New File is Uploaded to Google Drive"

1. Trigger: "Google Drive: New File" node.
2. Action: "Slack: Send Message" node.
3. Connect: Draw a line between the nodes.
4. Configure: - In the "Google Drive" node, specify the folder to monitor for new files.
   
   In the "Slack" node, configure the channel and message template (e.g., "New file uploaded: {file_name}").
   

Troubleshooting and support

Below, I’ve detailed some common issues you may run into when using n8n and how to resolve them:

1. Check configurations: Carefully review the settings of each step in your workflow. Ensure all the required fields are filled correctly and the data flow is logical.
2. Use the debugger: The built-in debugger is great for inspecting data at each step of the workflow and pinpointing any errors.
3. Check the documentation: The official n8n documentation contains detailed information on all its features and best practices.
4. Community forum: The n8n community forum is incredibly active and worth checking if you need help.

n8n alternatives

There are some exceptional competitors to n8n, but some don’t match up. Some of the best alternatives to n8n are Make.com, Zapier, and Tray.io.

1. Make.com is one of the leaders in the industry, with an easy-to-use user interface, which makes it ideal for beginners.
2. Zapier is a no-code workload automation app for syncing tasks across social media and CRM platforms.
3. Tray.io is great for enterprise-level automation and heavy data integration, offering security and scalability for large-scale business processes.

Here’s how they compare:

• Open source/self-hosting: n8n is an open-source platform that offers self-hosting capabilities, ensuring maximum control and cost efficiency.
• Ease of use: Make.com and Zapier excel in user-friendliness. They’re ideal for beginners and people who need a platform that’s easy to set up.
• Enterprise and large businesses: Tray.io is perfect for large enterprises with demanding integration requirements.
• Complexity: n8n and Tray.io can handle more complex workflows and data manipulation than Make.com and Zapier.
• AI integration: n8n is actively implementing AI tools, giving it an edge over its competitors who have yet to explore the technology.

A final word on n8n

n8n is a powerful and user-friendly automation tool. It is open-source and offers self-hosting capabilities, making it a flexible and cost-effective solution. Its visual editor makes it super easy to create workflows. However, beginners might find it a little complex.

n8n’s core features, growing AI capabilities, and active community make it an excellent choice for users and businesses with complex automation needs, especially those prioritizing customization and control. On the other hand, n8n alternatives like Zapier or Make.com might be more suitable for more straightforward, faster integrations.

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