n8n (pronounced 'n-eight-n') is an open-source workflow automation platform that lets you connect apps and services through a visual node-based interface. It's similar to Zapier or Make but with two critical differences: it can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure, and it has code nodes that allow custom JavaScript or Python when the visual builder isn't enough.
For businesses handling sensitive data — healthcare practices with PHI, financial firms with PII — the self-hosting capability is the primary advantage. Your data never leaves your infrastructure, which simplifies HIPAA and compliance requirements significantly.
n8n supports hundreds of built-in integrations and can connect to any system with an API through its HTTP Request node. Workflows can include conditional logic, loops, error handling, and sub-workflows for complex business processes.
I use n8n for most client projects because it offers the right balance of visual simplicity for straightforward workflows and code-level power for complex ones. The self-hosting option means I can deploy automations inside a client's existing infrastructure rather than routing sensitive data through third-party servers.