What it is
n8n is a fair-code platform to build and deploy AI agents and workflows. It combines a visual canvas with custom code (JavaScript, Python, and npm packages) and can be run self-hosted or in the cloud. It connects to 1500+ integrations and offers 9,000+ workflow templates.
Who it's for
- Teams building multi-step AI workflows and agents using their own data, models, and tools
- Developers who want to mix visual building with JavaScript, Python, and npm packages
- Organizations that need to self-host or deploy securely with role-based access and audit trails
Requirements
Requirements
- Docker (for the install script and the manual Docker deployment)
Setup
Quick start with install script
Try n8n instantly with the install script (requires Docker).
shcurl -fsSL https://get.n8n.io | shManual Docker deployment
Create a volume and run the n8n container, then access the editor at http://localhost:5678.
bashdocker volume create n8n_data docker run -it --rm --name n8n -p 5678:5678 -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n
Pros & cons
Pros
- Pro:Model flexibility: connect to OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or open-source models and switch providers without changing architecture
- Pro:Combines visual building with JavaScript, Python, and npm packages for advanced workflows
- Pro:1500+ integrations and 9,000+ workflow templates to connect with existing systems
- Pro:Self-hostable and source available, with extensibility through your own nodes
Cons
- Con:Distributed under the fair-code Sustainable Use License and n8n Enterprise License rather than a conventional open-source license
- Con:Some additional features and support require an Enterprise License
Images
