n8n-io/n8n - Detailed Review#

1. Overview & GitHub Stats#

• URL: https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n
• Stars: 132071

2. Project Description#

n8n-io/n8n is a fair-code licensed workflow automation platform that combines visual building with custom code capabilities. It offers native AI integrations, supports over 400 third-party services, and provides flexible deployment options including self-hosting and cloud. Designed for developers and technical users, n8n enables the creation of complex automations through an intuitive node-based interface while maintaining the power to extend functionality through JavaScript.

3. What Software Does It Replace?#

n8n can serve as an alternative to several popular automation and integration platforms including:

• Zapier
• Make (formerly Integromat)
• Microsoft Power Automate
• Tray.io
• Workato
• IFTTT (for more complex workflows)

4. Core Functionality#

• Visual Workflow Builder: Drag-and-drop interface for creating automation workflows
• 400+ Native Integrations: Pre-built connections to popular services and APIs
• Custom Code Nodes: JavaScript support for custom logic and transformations
• AI Capabilities: Native integration with AI services for intelligent automation
• Self-hosting Options: Complete control over your deployment environment
• Webhook Support: Real-time event triggering capabilities
• Error Handling: Built-in mechanisms for workflow debugging and recovery
• Execution History: Detailed logs of workflow runs and performance metrics

5. Pros and Cons#

Pros:

• Open source with fair-code licensing model
• Extensive integration ecosystem
• Powerful custom code capabilities
• Flexible deployment options (self-hosted or cloud)
• Strong community support and active development
• Native AI integration capabilities
• No vendor lock-in for self-hosted instances

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve compared to simpler automation tools
• Self-hosting requires technical expertise
• Enterprise features may require paid licensing
• Limited mobile experience compared to some competitors

6. Detailed Installation Guide (Self-host)#

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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

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sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose -y
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sudo systemctl enable docker
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sudo systemctl start docker

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mkdir ~/n8n && cd ~/n8n

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version: '3.8'
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services:
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  n8n:
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    image: n8nio/n8n
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    restart: unless-stopped
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    ports:
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      - "5678:5678"
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    environment:
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      - N8N_HOST=your-domain.com
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      - N8N_PORT=5678
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      - N8N_PROTOCOL=https
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      - NODE_ENV=production
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    volumes:
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      - n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n
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volumes:
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  n8n_data:

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docker-compose up -d

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sudo apt install nginx -y
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sudo systemctl enable nginx

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server {
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    listen 80;
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    server_name your-domain.com;
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    location / {
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        proxy_pass http://localhost:5678;
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        proxy_set_header Host $host;
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        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
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    }
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}

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sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/n8n /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
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sudo systemctl restart nginx