n8n
An open-source workflow automation platform with a visual editor, nodes for APIs/apps, and self-hosting support.
n8n lets teams build automations visually using nodes that connect APIs, databases, and services. It supports self-hosting, custom code, and credentials management.
Operations teams use n8n to prototype and run integrations—syncing data, sending alerts, and enriching records—without heavy engineering.
In workflows, n8n serves as an orchestration layer with retries, scheduling, and branching. The benefits are speed to deploy, ownership of data, and cost control versus fully hosted iPaaS.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use n8n?
For fast, visual automations where you want self-hosting and flexibility. It’s good for mid-complexity integrations and ops workflows.
How does n8n handle errors?
It supports retries, error branches, and manual execution logging. You can route failures to alerts or DLQs.
Can I run n8n self-hosted?
Yes—self-hosting is a core feature. Secure it with proper auth, TLS, and secrets management.
How do I add custom logic?
Use Function/Code nodes or build custom nodes. Keep heavy logic in services and call them from n8n when possible.
How does n8n compare to iPaaS tools?
It offers more control and self-hosting but requires your ops/security. Great for teams wanting ownership and extensibility.
What about credentials and secrets?
Store them in n8n’s credential manager or external secrets stores. Limit user access and audit credential usage.
How do I test n8n workflows?
Use test executions with sample data, sandbox environments, and versioning. Log runs and validate outputs before prod.
Can n8n scale?
Yes—run multiple workers, tune concurrency, and back with queues. Monitor resource use and external rate limits.
Does n8n support webhooks and schedules?
Yes—both. Webhook triggers start flows; Cron nodes schedule recurring jobs. Combine with rate limits for safety.
Agentic AI
An AI approach where models autonomously plan next steps, choose tools, and iterate toward an objective within guardrails.
Agentic Workflow
A sequence where an AI agent plans, executes tool calls, evaluates results, and loops until success criteria are met.
Agent Handoff
A pattern where one AI agent passes context and state to another specialized agent to keep multi-step automation modular.
Ship glossary-backed automations
Bring your terms into GrowthAX delivery—map them to owners, SLAs, and instrumentation so your automations launch with shared language.
Plan Your First 90 Days