🩺 Vitals
- 📦 Version: n8n@2.4.8 (Released 2026-01-29)
- 🚀 Velocity: Active (Last commit 2026-01-30)
- 🌟 Community: 172.1k Stars · 54.3k Forks
- 🐞 Backlog: 1302 Open Issues
🏗️ Profile
- Official: n8n.io
- Source: github.com/n8n-io/n8n
- License: Sustainable Use (Fair Code)
- Deployment:Docker / Kubernetes / Cloud
- Data Model: JSON-based Workflow State
- Jurisdiction: Germany 🇩🇪, EU 🇪🇺
- Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR
- Complexity: Medium (3/5) - Visual logic vs Code-based logic
- Maintenance: Low (2/5) - Lightweight Node.js execution
- Enterprise Ready: High (5/5) - RBAC, Audit Logs (Enterprise Edition)
1. The Executive Summary
What is it? n8n (nodemation) is a workflow automation platform that bridges the gap between low-code ease and developer flexibility. Unlike Zapier, which is a "Black Box" SaaS, n8n can be self-hosted, ensuring that sensitive data (e.g., customer PII, internal API tokens) never leaves your infrastructure. It is increasingly used as the orchestration layer for "AI Agents," connecting LLMs to internal databases and tools.
The Strategic Verdict:
- 🔴 For Resellers/SaaS Builders: Caution. The Sustainable Use License prevents you from hosting n8n as a competing paid service for others.
- 🟢 For Internal Operations: Strong Buy. It is free for internal business use and offers a node-based architecture that is far more debuggable and powerful than Zapier or Make.com.
2. The "Hidden" Costs (TCO Analysis)
| Cost Component | Proprietary (Zapier) | n8n (Self-Hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| Volume Pricing | Expensive ($0.01+/task) | $0 (Unlimited Tasks) |
| Data Privacy | Data traverses Vendor Cloud | Data stays in your VPC |
| Execution Time | Limited (Timeouts) | Unlimited (Long-running jobs) |
3. The "Day 2" Reality Check
🚀 Deployment & Operations
- Installation: SimpleDocker deployment. It requires a persistent Postgres database for storing execution history and workflow definitions.
- Scalability: n8n supports a "Queue Mode" (using Redis) for high-scale environments where workers can be distributed across multiple nodes.
🛡️ Security & Governance
- Access Control: The enterprise edition (and self-hosted tiers depending on version) offers granular RBAC.
- Data Handling: Since it runs on your servers, you control the network perimeter. It creates no external connections unless explicitly configured.
4. Market Landscape
🏢 Proprietary Incumbents
- Zapier
- Make (Integromat)
🤝 Open Source Ecosystem
- (None identified)