n8n

I have used Zapier for eight years, yet n8n has become my preferred platform for heavy automation. Setting up the cloud trial took minutes, and self-hosting in Docker was equally painless. The visual canvas feels like a proper flow-chart: I can run parallel branches, insert code blocks and merge paths without splitting work across several Zaps.

The open-source licence is liberating. I host client workflows on my own VPS, so monthly costs stay flat even when automations run thousands of times. Built-in features such as the form trigger, templates library and AI assistant speed up development. The forum is active and most problems have community answers.

There are rough edges. Some smaller apps lack native nodes, so I rely on manual API calls. Debugging large flows can be fiddly, and the interface is less polished than Zapier’s. Colleagues who are not comfortable with JSON occasionally need guidance. Even so, the control and savings outweigh these quirks. For teams ready to invest a little learning time, n8n delivers enterprise-grade flexibility at a fraction of Zapier’s price.

Technical teams and developers who want code-level flexibility and the option to self-host

What is n8n?

n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that lets you build integrations and automated processes without code. You can connect your CRM, email, Slack, and other business tools, then create workflows like "when a new prospect is added to Salesforce, send a welcome email and create a task." Unlike Zapier or Make, n8n can be self-hosted on your own servers, so you control your data and don't pay per task executed. It's a powerful alternative if you want automation at scale without vendor lock-in.

Who is it for?

n8n appeals to growth teams with technical resources or partnership with engineering. You need either someone comfortable running software on a server or budget to hire a developer for setup and maintenance. If you're using Zapier and hitting high automation volume (paying thousands per month for tasks), n8n's self-hosted model becomes cost-effective. If you're non-technical and need quick automation, Zapier is easier. If you want full control and have the technical capacity, n8n is the move.

Key features for B2B growth teams

Visual workflow builder: drag and drop to connect tools. No coding required for basic workflows, though advanced logic requires JavaScript knowledge.

Extensive integrations: pre-built connectors for Salesforce, HubSpot, LinkedIn, Slack, Stripe, Segment, and hundreds of other tools. If a tool has an API, you can likely connect it.

Self-hosted deployment: run n8n on your own server or cloud infrastructure. You control data flow and aren't dependent on Zapier's infrastructure.

Custom JavaScript and webhook support: for complex logic, write JavaScript directly in workflows. Webhooks let you trigger workflows from your own applications.

Conditional logic and loops: build workflows that branch based on conditions, loop through lists, and handle errors gracefully.

How it fits in your B2B tech stack

n8n is the glue between your tools. It doesn't replace your CRM, marketing platform, or sales engagement tool; it makes them work together. Most teams use n8n to automate data flow: syncing CRM records to your data warehouse, pushing new leads to email platforms, logging Slack notifications back into Salesforce. If you're using multiple SaaS tools and they don't natively integrate, n8n fills those gaps. It works especially well alongside custom tools or internal applications that lack pre-built integrations.

Pricing overview

n8n has a free self-hosted version with unlimited workflows and executions. This is free with no hidden costs or task limits. For cloud-hosted n8n (if you don't want to manage your own server), paid plans start around £20 monthly with workflow and execution limits. Enterprise self-hosted support is available but requires negotiation. If you self-host, your costs are infrastructure (typically £10-50 monthly on AWS or similar) plus development time to set it up initially and maintain it over time.

Practical verdict

n8n makes sense when Zapier's pricing becomes painful (you're paying hundreds monthly for task volume) or when you have data sensitivity concerns and want to keep integrations on your own infrastructure. The learning curve is steeper than Zapier, and you need DevOps knowledge to run it properly. For most small growth teams, Zapier is simpler and faster to implement. But if you're scaling beyond 50,000 tasks monthly, or if your data governance requirements are strict, n8n's transparency and cost structure are compelling.

n8n is a source-available (fair-code) workflow automation platform that connects apps, APIs, and AI models through a visual node-based editor with optional custom JavaScript or Python code. It can be self-hosted for full data control or run on n8n's managed cloud, and is aimed at technical teams and developers who want automation with code-level flexibility. It includes native AI/LLM nodes and over 400 integrations.

n8n is free and open-source but requires technical setup and maintenance you'll need someone comfortable with servers, Docker, and basic DevOps. Cloud hosting is available (around €20/month) but removes the main benefits of self-hosting. Compared to Zapier or Make, n8n is far cheaper at scale but demands technical investment. If you have engineering resources and need control, n8n delivers incredible value. If you're non-technical or just want something that works, stick with Zapier. n8n works best for companies with compliance requirements, high automation volume, or technical teams who want flexibility without recurring SaaS costs. Overkill for small, non-technical teams.