A flexible platform for building integration workflows using a drag-and-drop interface
In the era of digital transformation, organizations rely on numerous applications, services, databases, and tools that need to communicate with one another. Manual data transfer, repetitive tasks, and complex integrations slow down operations and increase the risk of errors. In response to these challenges, n8n was created — an open, visual automation and integration tool that enables connecting systems, processing data, and building advanced workflows without the need to write large amounts of code.
What is n8n?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform that allows users to create integration workflows using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Each workflow is composed of “nodes,” which represent applications, operations, data transformations, webhooks, or HTTP requests.
The platform can be deployed locally, in Docker, in containers, on on-premise servers, or in the cloud (n8n Cloud), making it versatile for both developers and business users.
n8n is built upon technologies and concepts such as:
- REST APIs and webhooks – communication with external systems
- JavaScript/Function nodes – custom logic and data transformation
- Hundreds of prebuilt integrations – Gmail, Slack, Notion, GitHub, Google Sheets, CRMs
- Schedules (cron) – recurring tasks and automation cycles
Key Features
- Visual workflow builder (drag & drop)
A graphical editor that enables constructing sophisticated automations by connecting nodes that represent applications, operations, and business logic.
- Hundreds of ready-to-use integrations
n8n supports integrations with Google, Microsoft, GitHub, Slack, Notion, Discord, HubSpot, databases, and many other SaaS services.
- Build webhooks and APIs in seconds
Workflows can be triggered via HTTP webhooks, allowing real-time automation in response to external events.
- Advanced data processing
Function nodes allow JavaScript scripting, mapping, and transforming data to create custom logic and complex workflows.
- Scheduling and recurring tasks
n8n allows processes to run on predefined schedules (cron), suitable for automation like backups, reporting, or data synchronization.
- Cloud- and microservice-ready architecture
The platform runs in Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud-native environments, making it easy to integrate with existing infrastructure.
Benefits of Using n8n
- Fully open-source – no vendor lock-in, complete control over hosting and data.
- Highly flexible – write custom logic, build your own nodes, and extend integrations.
- Easy to use – drag-and-drop editor makes workflow creation accessible to everyone.
- Rich integration ecosystem – hundreds of prebuilt nodes for popular apps and APIs.
- Scalable – runs from a local machine to large Kubernetes clusters.
- Active community – frequent updates, new integrations, and helpful support.
- Real-time automation – workflow triggers through webhooks and events.
- Developer- and business-friendly – simple for beginners, powerful for advanced users.