How n8n works
n8n describes itself as "a fair-code licensed workflow automation tool that combines AI features with business process automation" (n8n Docs). Each workflow is a chain of nodes. A trigger node starts it, and each next node calls an app, transforms data or asks an AI model to do something.
Cloud or self-hosted
n8n Cloud is a paid, hosted service. A standard self-hosted version is published on GitHub, so you can run it on your own server (n8n pricing). n8n counts one execution as one full run of a workflow, however many steps it has, which keeps costs predictable for long workflows.
What people build with it
- Lead capture: web form to Google Sheets to a WhatsApp or email alert.
- Order handling: new store order to invoice, courier booking and customer message.
- AI support: an agent that drafts replies to common questions for a person to approve.
- Reporting: a weekly summary of sales or ad spend sent to the owner.