n8n

Complete Automation Guide

The most powerful open-source automation platform for technical teams

Everything you need to master n8n workflows for business automation.

What is n8n?

n8n is a fair-code workflow automation tool that lets you connect anything to everything. Unlike Zapier or Make, n8n is:

✓ Self-hostable - Run on your own infrastructure
✓ Unlimited executions - No monthly limits on the free tier
✓ 300+ integrations - Connect to any app with an API
✓ Code-friendly - Write custom JavaScript when needed
✓ Open source - View and modify the source code

Best for: Technical teams, agencies, developers who want full control

Why We Use n8n

At Meta Know Labs, n8n is our primary automation tool. Here's why:

1. No Execution Limits
Unlike Zapier (750 tasks/month on free tier) or Make (1,000 ops/month), n8n self-hosted = unlimited.

2. Complex Logic Made Simple
If-then branches, loops, data transformation - all visual. When you need more, drop in custom code.

3. Real Database Integration
Direct connections to PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB. Not just "add row to spreadsheet."

4. Cost at Scale
Processing 100,000 tasks/month? n8n Cloud = $50. Zapier = $600+. Self-hosted = $20 server cost.

5. AI Agent Ready
Native integration with Claude, OpenAI, local AI models. Perfect for building intelligent automations.

Getting Started with n8n

Option 1: n8n Cloud (Recommended for Beginners)

Pros: Managed hosting, automatic updates, ready in 2 minutes
Cost: Free tier available, Pro starts at $20/month
Best for: Testing, small teams, quick deployment

Start n8n Cloud Free Trial →

Option 2: Self-Hosted (For Advanced Users)

Pros: Unlimited executions, full control, cost-effective at scale
Cost: ~$10-20/month for server hosting
Best for: Agencies, developers, high-volume workflows

Installation options:

Docker (recommended)
npm package
Desktop app

View Installation Guide →

n8n Workflow Library

Ready-to-use workflows you can implement today:

Latest n8n Content

Recent tutorials, updates, and case studies:

[This section will auto-populate with posts tagged "n8n"]

Coming Soon: Your First n8n Workflow Tutorial
Coming Soon: n8n vs Make vs Zapier Comparison
Coming Soon: Advanced n8n Patterns for Agencies

See All n8n Guides →

n8n vs Other Tools

When to choose n8n:

You have technical team members
You need unlimited executions
You want to self-host
You're building complex workflows
You need code flexibility

When NOT to choose n8n:

Your team is 100% non-technical
You need pre-built templates for everything
You want zero maintenance

Read Full Comparison: n8n vs Make vs Zapier →

Resources

Official n8n Resources:

Our Recommended Setup:

Hosting: DigitalOcean ($10/month droplet)
Learning: Start with n8n Cloud free tier
Scaling: Move to self-hosted when you hit 10,000+ executions/month

Affiliate: We earn a small commission if you sign up for n8n Cloud through our link (at no extra cost to you). We only recommend tools we actually use.

Get Started with n8n Cloud →

Need Help with n8n?

DIY Resources

Done-for-You Implementation

We build custom n8n workflows for businesses.

What we deliver:

Workflow design and development
Self-hosted or cloud setup
Team training
Ongoing support

Recent n8n projects:

Healthcare: Patient intake automation (68% cost reduction)
Real Estate: Lead qualification system ($4,300/month revenue increase)
Legal: Document processing pipeline (15 hours/week saved)

View Our Services →

Master n8n with Meta Know

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✓ Weekly n8n workflow breakdowns
✓ Template library access
✓ Update alerts when n8n releases new features
✓ Community tips and tricks

Last updated: January 2, 2026