n8n: self-hosted workflow automation (Zapier, but yours)
n8n is a visual automation tool — connect apps and APIs with a drag-and-drop flowchart. What it does, where it fits, and how to self-host it.
n8n is a visual workflow builder: you drag nodes onto a canvas, wire them together, and it runs the flow on a schedule, on a webhook, or when something happens. Think Zapier or Make, but running on your own server with no per-task pricing.
What it does
Connects hundreds of services — HTTP, databases, email, Slack, Google Sheets, CRMs, and a generic "HTTP Request" node that reaches anything with an API.
Runs on triggers — a schedule (every 5 minutes), a webhook (POST to a URL), an app event, or a manual click.
Transforms data in the flow — filter, rename, merge, loop, branch, and run code (JavaScript or Python) where the built-in nodes are not enough.
Handles real integration work — retries, error branches, and credentials stored encrypted on your instance.
Why self-host n8n
No task limits. Cloud automation tools bill per "task"; on your own instance you run as many as your server allows.
Your data stays put. Credentials and the data flowing through your workflows never leave infrastructure you control.
Custom code when you need it. The Code node means you are never stuck when a connector is missing.
Where to use it
Ops glue — "when a new order lands, add a row to Sheets, notify Slack, and create a support ticket."
Data sync — move records between a CRM, a database and a mailing list on a schedule.
Lightweight backends — expose a webhook that does a few API calls and returns JSON, without writing a whole service.
Content and monitoring — watch an RSS feed or an API and email or post when something changes.
A 2 vCPU / 2–4 GB VPS runs n8n comfortably. Because it holds credentials for your other systems, treat it as sensitive: keep it behind TLS, use strong auth, and store its encryption key safely. It is usually deployed with Docker.
Good to know about the licence
n8n is source-available, not OSI open source: it uses the Sustainable Use License, which is free for internal use and self-hosting but restricts reselling it as a service. For almost every self-hoster that distinction does not bite — but be aware of it if you plan to host n8n for paying customers.
How to get running
VPS + domain + TLS.
Deploy n8n via Docker (there is an official image) with a persistent volume for its data.
Set a strong encryption key and admin credentials; enable user management.
Build your first workflow on a schedule or webhook, and test the error path, not just the happy path.
Back up the n8n data volume — it holds your workflow definitions and credentials.
Specs: /app-hosting/n8n. Start free on a HostingSwift VPS and size up as your workflow count grows.