Learn how n8n works, see examples of tool usage, and check out the comparison with other automation platforms.
For those who are tired of spending time on repetitive tasks or are looking for an efficient way to integrate different digital tools, it’s certainly worth getting to know.
But after all, what is this platform and why has it been gaining so much prominence in the market?
In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about n8n, what features it offers to easily automate processes, and how it compares to other tools like Zapier and Make. Stay tuned.
What is n8n and how does it work?
First of all, it’s important to explain that n8n is a complete and intuitive workflow automation tool, known for its versatility and ease of use.
This is because it is an open-source platform that allows you to create complex or simple automations through a very user-friendly visual interface..
Moreover, unlike other tools in the market, n8n offers both a cloud version and the possibility of self-hosted hosting, which ensures greater control over your data and environment customization.
Its operation is based on the creation of visual flows composed of nodes, which are connected to perform specific tasks.
These nodes can represent anything from simple tasks like sending an email or notifying about the arrival of a new lead, to sophisticated processes involving multiple integrations with external APIs and artificial intelligence.
How to create visual automations in n8n
As we mentioned above, the great advantage of n8n lies in its intuitive visual editor that allows you to create automations even without advanced programming knowledge.
In other words, to create your flows, just connect the available nodes in the editor according to the logic of the desired task.
Below, find more information on how this creation process works, practical examples of tool usage, and available integrations.
Visual editor and flow creation
Just like platforms such as Zapier and Maker, n8n has an editor that helps build your automations through drag-and-drop actions of nodes.
With this, it’s possible to immediately visualize the result of each step, which facilitates quick tests and real-time adjustments.
Alongside this, the user has access to over 400 pre-configured integrations and doesn’t need to worry about complex codes or connection errors as the platform eliminates common technical difficulties.
However, if specific functionalities are needed, it’s also possible to include custom scripts or use AI agents to make the processes more efficient.
Practical examples of automations
Below are some examples of simple automations that can be quickly implemented in n8n, either for your own company or for your clients.
| CRM Automation | When a new lead is registered in your online form, the contact is automatically added to your CRM, triggering a personalized welcome email. |
| AI Integration | Automate document analysis with integrated AI nodes, allowing for summarizing content or answering specific questions without manual intervention. |
| Customer service flows | When a support ticket is opened, create automatic notifications on Slack or WhatsApp so your team can act immediately. |
| Financial Automation | Receive automatic notifications about new financial transactions directly in your accounting or financial management system. |
| Automatic report creation | Through integration with Reportei, for example, you can automate the generation of digital marketing reports and dashboards in a highly customized way. |
Integrations available in the tool
It’s also worth highlighting that one of the great benefits of n8n is its wide range of integrations with popular market tools and services.
Besides Reportei, some of the main integrations include:
- Communication Slack, Telegram, Gmail, and WhatsApp.
- Marketing Mailchimp, HubSpot, and ActiveCampaign.
- Productivity Google Sheets, Trello, Airtable, and Notion.
- Technology GitHub, AWS, Google Cloud, and custom APIs.
But these are just a few of the more than 400 integrations that make n8n a highly flexible platform adaptable to almost any operational needs of your company.
In this way, it is possible to leverage many other resources in sales, development, finance, among others.
What advantages does n8n offer?
Now that you know how the platform and integrations work, it’s important to highlight the main advantages of using it in your routine.
- Versatility as you can build anything from small automations to complex flows with multiple integrations.
- Open Source offers the possibility to fully modify and customize the code.
- Control over data with the self-hosted option, your data remains under total control.
- Reduced costs offers more affordable plans than its main competitors, which makes it stand out as a good cost-benefit.
In other words, n8n is a platform that offers many customization possibilities to meet the needs of both small businesses and large corporations.
Pricing and self-hosted version
Speaking of pricing, the tool offers a 14-day free trial for those who want to experience its features in practice but are not ready to commit to a subscription.
After this period, users can choose among three plans: Beginner starting at R$125.00 per month, Pro starting at R$313.00 per month, or Enterprise which is customized according to the resources sought by the subscriber.
Additionally, the self-hosted version is an excellent option for those who want total control over hosting and data security, enabling significant savings for large volumes of use.
How does n8n position itself against Zapier and Make?
When comparing n8n with traditional market tools like Zapier and Make, some points should be evaluated before making a choice.
To start, let’s talk about Zapier, which is one of the pioneering platforms in automations and also one of the most complete, offering more than 6,000 integrations with other tools.
Very easy to use, Zapier, ends up being the most sought-after option for those starting to automate tasks..
For those looking for a more robust platform that goes beyond the beginner level, Make. may be the right choice.
This is because it offers greater versatility, and as a direct competitor of Zapier, it offers more complex solutions to allow users to go beyond the basics, including easy integration with APIs.
Additionally, the tool stands out for having an intermediate cost, which makes it quite attractive for those who already have a bit more advanced knowledge about automations.
Finally, n8n emerged as an option offering a balance between ease of use and deep customization, thanks to the visual model and open source. In other words, for those who want greater control over the process, the platform manages to be more complete and still offers the best cost-benefit compared to the two mentioned above.
In other words, for those who want greater control over the process, the platform can be more complete and still offer the best cost-benefit compared to the two presented above.
Integrate Reportei with n8n
Undoubtedly, another great benefit of n8n is its integration with Reportei, a leading platform in digital marketing reports.
Through it, it’s possible to create highly customized flows to automate the creation of reports, dashboards, and timeline milestones, from external triggers such as executing a specific task in other tools used by the company or achieving a goal.
In other words, this integration simplifies the marketing team’s routine, ensuring valuable information is easily accessible and updated in real-time.
Besides saving time, you also gain greater precision and clarity in communication with clients, who can be easily notified at each stage of the process.
Thus, with n8n integrated with Reportei, your agency or company reaches a new level of efficiency, productivity, and intelligence in digital marketing management.
Also take the opportunity to read WhatsApp in Zapier: how to use and advantages of the integration..
