n8n is an open source workflow automation platform that lets businesses connect apps, databases and APIs with powerful, customizable workflows. It supports both cloud and self-hosted deployments.

When should I use n8n Cloud vs. self-hosted?

Cloud is best for teams that want a quick start with no server management. Self-hosting is recommended when compliance, data control, or custom scaling is required.

Can n8n replace Zapier or Make.com?

Yes. n8n offers similar functionality to Zapier and Make.com, but with open source flexibility, the ability to self-host, and more complex customization options.

n8n Workflow Automation: Open Source Power for Cloud and Self-Hosting

3 min read

n8n Workflow Automation

When businesses talk about workflow automation, Make.com and Zapier often dominate the conversation. But another platform is rapidly gaining traction: n8n. This open-source automation tool allows companies to connect APIs, databases, and services with unmatched flexibility. Unlike many SaaS competitors, n8n offers both cloud and self-hosting options, making it a powerful choice for teams that value control, compliance, and scalability.

In this article, we’ll explain what n8n is, when to choose self-hosting vs. cloud, show real case studies, and even share a simple workflow example you can try today.

What Is n8n?

n8n (short for “nodemation”) is an open-source workflow automation platform. Like Zapier or Make.com, it allows you to build automations visually using a node-based editor. Each “node” represents a service, database, or function, and you can connect these into powerful workflows that run automatically.

Key advantages:

Open source: Full transparency and control over the codebase
Self-hosting: Keep your data private and compliant with GDPR
Flexibility: Integrate with hundreds of apps or custom APIs
Cost efficiency: A free self-hosted version and fair pricing for the cloud edition
Scalability: Suitable for startups, enterprises, and technical teams that need customization

When to Use Cloud vs. Self-Hosting

Choosing between the cloud version and a self-hosted setup depends on your goals.

Cloud (n8n.io)

Best for: Small to medium businesses that want a fast start without DevOps overhead
Pros: Fully managed infrastructure, automatic updates, easy team setup
Cons: Ongoing subscription costs, less control over sensitive data

Self-Hosting

Best for: Enterprises, compliance-heavy industries, and technical teams
Pros: Full data control, runs inside private networks, avoids vendor lock-in
Cons: Requires server management, you handle upgrades and security

Case Studies: How Companies Use n8n

1. E-commerce Order Processing

An online store automated order confirmations, inventory updates, and shipping label creation. With n8n, the team connected Shopify, Airtable, and SendGrid, cutting manual work by 70%.

2. SaaS Customer Onboarding

A SaaS provider built a customer onboarding flow that integrated Stripe, Slack, and HubSpot. Whenever a new customer signed up, n8n automatically:

Created a CRM entry
Sent a personalized Slack notification
Triggered a welcome email sequence

3. IT Department Compliance Logs

An IT team used self-hosted n8n to sync audit logs from multiple systems into PostgreSQL and BigQuery. This setup improved compliance reporting and reduced manual reporting costs.

Simple Workflow Example: Airtable to Slack

Here’s a straightforward workflow to try out:

Trigger: New record added in Airtable
Action 1: Retrieve the record data (name, email, notes)
Action 2: Send the information into a Slack channel

In n8n, this would involve:

Airtable Trigger Node
Slack Send Message Node

This small automation keeps your team instantly updated whenever new leads are captured, without checking Airtable manually.

Data Platform

Airtable

Flexible database plus automations, interfaces, and a robust API. Ideal for teams that need a central source of truth with fast iteration and clean handoffs to operations.

✓ Relational tables, views, and permissions
✓ Built-in automations and interfaces
✓ Scales with API and integrations

Try Airtable We’ll set it up Implementation by Scalevise

Why n8n Stands Out

n8n’s value lies in its balance of flexibility, transparency, and control. If you need a no-code solution for quick integrations, n8n cloud is perfect. If you want to fully own your automation infrastructure, self-hosting gives you the freedom no SaaS can match.

For businesses that already rely on Make.com or Zapier but want more customization and compliance, n8n is worth serious consideration.

Conclusion

Automation is no longer optional. With tools like n8n, companies can scale faster, reduce costs, and improve data integrity. The choice between cloud and self-hosting depends on your team size, technical expertise, and compliance requirements.

Start small with a workflow like Airtable → Slack, and you’ll quickly see how automation can save hours every week. From there, scale up to complex enterprise processes, all within a platform you control.

👉 Looking to implement n8n in your organization? Scalevise specializes in automation strategy, setup, and integration. Contact us today to explore how we can help streamline your workflows.