n8n: Why I Switched to Open-Source Workflow Automation

The Automation Problem

I love automating repetitive tasks. Send a Slack message when a form is submitted. Create a Notion page when a GitHub issue is opened. Sync data between tools.

For years, I used Zapier. It worked. But as my automations grew, so did the costs. And hitting limits on what I could customize became frustrating.

Then I discovered n8n - an open-source, self-hosted alternative. After migrating my workflows, I'm not looking back.

What Is n8n?

n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n") is a workflow automation tool. Think Zapier or Make, but:

• Open source: Free to use, modify, and extend
• Self-hosted: Run it on your own server
• Developer-friendly: Write custom code when needed
• No execution limits: Run as many workflows as your server handles

Workflows I've Built

1. GitHub to Notion Sync

When a new issue is created in any of my repos, n8n:

• Creates a Notion database entry
• Adds labels and priority
• Links back to the GitHub issue
• Notifies me on Slack if it's high priority

2. Content Publishing Pipeline

When I publish a blog post:

• Automatically shares to Twitter/X
• Posts to LinkedIn with a different format
• Sends to my newsletter subscribers
• Updates my portfolio's RSS feed

3. Daily Standup Bot

Every morning at 9 AM:

• Pulls my calendar events
• Checks GitHub for assigned issues
• Summarizes using AI
• Posts to my team's Slack channel

4. Lead Notification System

When someone fills my contact form:

• Validates the email
• Enriches data with Clearbit
• Adds to my CRM
• Sends me a formatted Slack notification
• Triggers a welcome email sequence

Why Developers Love n8n

Code When You Need It

Most nodes are visual, but you can drop into JavaScript or Python anytime:

// Custom code node example
const items = $input.all();
return items.map(item => ({
  json: {
    ...item.json,
    processed: true,
    timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
  }
}));

HTTP Requests Made Easy

Call any API, not just supported integrations. Full control over headers, auth, and response handling.

Self-Hosted = Full Control

Your data stays on your server. No third-party access. Compliance-friendly.

Community Nodes

Hundreds of community-built integrations. If it doesn't exist, you can build it.

Getting Started

Quick Deploy Options

• Docker: docker run -it --rm -p 5678:5678 n8nio/n8n
• Railway: One-click deploy template
• DigitalOcean: Droplet marketplace app
• n8n Cloud: Hosted option if you don't want to self-host

First Workflow in 5 Minutes

1. Open n8n dashboard
2. Create new workflow
3. Add trigger (webhook, schedule, or app event)
4. Add action nodes
5. Connect and activate

n8n vs Zapier vs Make

Feature	n8n	Zapier	Make
Self-hosted option	Yes	No	No
Custom code	Full JS/Python	Limited	Limited
Pricing	Free (self-hosted)	$$$$	$$
Learning curve	Medium	Low	Medium
Integrations	400+	5000+	1000+

Tips From Experience

• Start simple: Build one workflow, get it working, then expand
• Use error handling: Add error workflows to catch failures
• Version control: Export workflows as JSON, store in Git
• Monitor resources: Complex workflows can be memory-intensive
• Document your flows: Future you will thank present you

The Bottom Line

n8n isn't for everyone. If you want zero setup and don't mind the cost, Zapier is easier.

But if you're a developer who wants full control, unlimited executions, and the ability to customize everything - n8n is incredible.

I've automated hours of weekly tasks. My server costs? About $5/month on a small VPS.

That's the power of open source.