n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n") is an open-source workflow automation platform that lets you connect apps, services, and APIs to automate repetitive tasks without writing code. Think of it as a visual programming tool where you drag, drop, and connect building blocks to create powerful automations.
How n8n Works
n8n uses a node-based workflow editor. Each node represents an action or trigger connected to a specific app or service. You connect nodes together to create a workflow — a sequence of automated steps that execute when triggered.
Key Concepts
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Node | A single step in a workflow that performs an action (e.g., send email, fetch data, transform text). |
| Workflow | A series of connected nodes that form an automated process. |
| Trigger | The event that starts a workflow (e.g., a schedule, a webhook, a new email). |
| Credentials | The authentication details n8n uses to connect to external services (API keys, OAuth tokens). |
| Execution | A single run of a workflow from trigger to completion. |
Example Workflow
Imagine you want to automatically save new contact form submissions to a spreadsheet and notify your team:
This workflow runs automatically every time someone submits the form — no manual intervention required.
Why Choose n8n?
Open Source
n8n is open-source, meaning you can inspect the code, contribute to development, and self-host it without licensing fees. When you host n8n on Data Mammoth, you get full control over your data and workflows.
Visual Editor
The drag-and-drop workflow editor makes it accessible to non-programmers while still being powerful enough for developers. You can see your entire automation at a glance and modify it visually.
Extensive Integrations
n8n supports hundreds of integrations (called nodes), including:
- Communication: Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams, Email
- Productivity: Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, Trello
- CRM: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive
- Social Media: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
- Development: GitHub, GitLab, Jira
- And many more
Code When You Need It
While n8n is designed for visual workflow building, you can add custom JavaScript or Python code nodes for advanced logic, data transformation, or integration with services that do not have a dedicated node.
Self-Hosted Privacy
By hosting n8n on your own Data Mammoth VPS, your workflow data, credentials, and execution history stay on your server. You are not sending sensitive business data through third-party cloud automation services.
Common n8n Use Cases
Business Automation
- Sync contacts between your CRM and email marketing platform.
- Generate weekly reports from database queries and email them to stakeholders.
- Route support tickets based on content or priority.
Developer Workflows
- Monitor GitHub repositories for new issues and post to Slack.
- Automatically deploy code when a pull request is merged.
- Aggregate logs from multiple services into a central dashboard.
Marketing Automation
- Post content across multiple social media platforms simultaneously.
- Track brand mentions and compile summaries.
- Automate email sequences based on user behavior.
Data Processing
- Extract data from APIs, transform it, and load it into a database (ETL).
- Clean and normalize data from multiple sources.
- Generate formatted documents from raw data.
Notifications and Alerts
- Send alerts when server metrics exceed thresholds.
- Notify team members when important events occur.
- Create custom notification pipelines for monitoring services.
Data Mammoth n8n Hosting
Data Mammoth offers dedicated n8n hosting that takes care of the infrastructure so you can focus on building automations:
- Pre-configured — n8n is installed and ready to use immediately.
- Optimized — Server resources are tuned for n8n performance.
- Managed updates — Keep your n8n instance up to date with the latest features and security patches.
- Backup included — Your workflows and data are protected with automated backups.
- SSL included — Secure access to your n8n instance over HTTPS.
n8n vs. Other Automation Tools
| Feature | n8n (Self-Hosted) | Cloud Automation Services |
|---|---|---|
| Data privacy | Your server, your data | Data passes through third-party servers |
| Cost | Fixed hosting cost, unlimited workflows | Per-execution pricing, costs scale with usage |
| Customization | Full control, custom code support | Limited to provider's features |
| Integrations | 350+ nodes, custom nodes possible | Varies by provider |
| Execution limits | Limited only by server resources | Plan-based execution limits |
What to Do Next
- How to Order n8n Hosting — Get your n8n instance running.
- Getting Started with Your n8n Instance — First steps after setup.
- Creating Your First n8n Workflow — Build your first automation.
- Popular n8n Integrations — Connect n8n to your favorite apps.