n8n
Open-source workflow automation you can self-host.
/ quick answer
n8n is a source-available automation platform similar to Zapier and Make, but self-hostable and with a first-class code node. It's popular for AI orchestrations that touch private data or need custom logic without vendor lock-in. Open-source workflow automation you can self-host.
What is n8n?
n8n is a source-available automation platform similar to Zapier and Make, but self-hostable and with a first-class code node. It's popular for AI orchestrations that touch private data or need custom logic without vendor lock-in.
What is an example of n8n?
A team self-hosts n8n on a $10 VPS, runs 30k monthly executions across 12 flows (CRM sync, AI email triage, invoice OCR), and pays $0 in platform fees.
Why does n8n matter for AI and automation?
Open-source workflow automation you can self-host. It connects to the workflows, prompts and tool stacks linked on this page, so you can move from definition to execution without leaving Onexial.
Some links support Onexial at no extra cost to you.
/ continue exploring
Related concepts
The vocabulary this page depends on.
- →No-Code Automation
Building business workflows visually without writing code.
- →Workflow Trigger
The event that starts an automated workflow.
- →Research Automation
Research automation turns a question into a sourced, structured answer using search, retrieval, extraction and synthesis agents.
- →Crypto Automation
Crypto automation is rule-based execution of monitoring, alerting and recurring on-chain actions, so decisions are made once and applied consistently.
Related workflows
Turn this into a repeatable process.
- →AI Content Factory: One Topic to Ten Assets
Convert a single topic into a full multi-channel content drop.
- →Build a Research Automation Pipeline
Question in, sourced structured brief out — on a schedule.
- →How to Create a Website with AI
Go from idea to a live, custom-domain website in one afternoon using AI builders.
- →How to Build an AI Content System
A repeatable pipeline that turns one input into publish-ready content across every channel.
Related tool stacks
The tools that run it in production.
- →AI-Powered Agency Ops Stack
Run a 10-person agency with the operational overhead of a 3-person team.
- →AI Automation Operator Stack
The default toolset for one operator running multiple AI-powered business workflows.
- →Browser Automation Stack
Run browser agents on a schedule with credentials, retries and screenshots.
- →Research Automation Stack
Search, fetch, extract and synthesise sourced briefs on a schedule.
Related prompts
Reusable prompts for this job.
- →No-Code Automation Spec Writer
Turn a vague 'I want to automate X' into a buildable scenario spec for Make / n8n / Zapier.
- →Browser Automation Task Spec Prompt
Converts a manual click-path into a reliable automation spec.
- →Sourced Research Brief Prompt
Produces a structured brief where every claim carries a citation.
Comparisons & alternatives
Pick between the options.
- →n8n vs Make: Which Automation Platform to Pick
Self-hosted flexibility vs managed ease — pick by team, volume and data sensitivity.
- →Best AI Workflow Automation Tools: n8n vs Zapier vs Make
The three tools most operators consider for AI workflow automation — compared on pricing, AI integration and technical flexibility.
- →Browser Agent vs API Automation
APIs win whenever they exist; browser agents exist for the systems that never gave you one.
- →Lovable vs Bolt
Two AI app builders compared on speed, backend, deployment, and production readiness.