// our stack - n8n
n8n, automation without limits.
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform that lets you connect your tools, sync your data and automate your business processes without heavy development. With over 400 native integrations and the ability to connect to any API, n8n orchestrates the exchanges between your applications, your APIs and your internal or external systems.
Let's discuss your n8n project// why we chose n8n
Connect your heterogeneous tools, with no proprietary lock-in.
n8n solves a recurring problem in modern IT systems: connecting heterogeneous tools, syncing data in real time, triggering automatic actions - without multiplying bespoke developments or depending on closed proprietary solutions. According to n8n community data (2024), over 100,000 organisations use n8n to automate their business processes.
CRM ↔ business tools sync
Bidirectional updates between HubSpot and your Xano database, automatic enrichment of contacts with external data.
Smart notifications
Triggering Slack/Email alerts based on business events: form submitted, order confirmed, stock threshold reached, deadline approaching.
Process orchestration
Customer onboarding, multi-step approvals, validation workflows, Shopify order sync → ERP → confirmation → stock update.
// measured gain on our client projects
n8n cuts the time spent building and maintaining custom connectors between systems by 60 to 80%, compared to traditional back-end development.
// the key technical building blocks
A powerful, flexible automation tool.
Nodes and workflows: visual logic + code when needed
Triggers (webhook, cron, polling, event), actions, transformations, logic (if, switch, merge, split), utilities (error handling, wait/delay, sub-workflows). Each node can be enriched with custom JavaScript for advanced transformations.
Multiple triggers
Webhook (external HTTP request), Cron (scheduled recurring execution), Polling (regular checks on a source), App event (listening to connected services), Manual (on-demand trigger). Every business case finds its trigger.
Server-side data transformations
Filters and conditions (if/else, switch case), loops over arrays, aggregations (sum, average, group by), JSON/XML manipulation, cascading API calls, business validations, enrichment via third-party APIs. The logic stays server-side: consistency and security guaranteed.
Error handling and automatic retries
Configurable automatic retry (number of attempts, fixed or exponential delay), error branches (fallback, compensation), native Try-Catch, multi-channel error notifications (email, Slack, PagerDuty), circuit breaker for repeated failures.
Centralised credentials management
Encrypted keys and secrets in the database, cross-workflow reuse, per-workflow access rights, native OAuth2 with automatic token refresh, environment variables, easy rotation (centralised change without editing every workflow).
Self-hosting and scalability
Docker (1 command) or a Kubernetes cluster for high volumes. Redis/Bull queue, managed PostgreSQL database, load balancing, high availability. Observed performance: up to 100,000 executions/day with under 100 ms average latency.
// triggers
The right trigger for every business case.
| Type | Use case | Concrete example |
|---|---|---|
| Webhook | Receiving an external HTTP request | Form submitted → webhook → processing → confirmation |
| Cron (scheduled) | Recurring execution at fixed times | Every day at 8am: export data → send by email |
| Polling | Regular checks on a source | Every 5 min: check for new Gmail emails → process attachments |
| App event | Listening for events from connected services | New contact in HubSpot → enrichment → creation in Xano |
| Manual | On-demand trigger | A button in the interface to launch a specific process |
// limits / points to watch
What you need to know before choosing n8n.
Extremely complex workflows (100+ nodes)
If a single workflow exceeds 100-150 nodes, it can become hard to maintain, debug and evolve. Recommended solution: split it into several smaller workflows, or offload some logic to serverless functions (AWS Lambda, Cloud Functions). For very heavy orchestrations (massive ETL), consider specialised tools (Apache Airflow, Prefect).
Extreme volumes and critical real-time
n8n handles standard to high volumes very well (up to 100,000 executions/day with the right infrastructure). For millions of executions/day or ultra-low latency (< 10 ms), streaming tools (Kafka, Flink) are better suited. Our recommendation: for 98% of business projects, n8n is more than enough.
Self-hosting: full operational responsibility
Self-hosting means managing infrastructure, updates, security and backups. Hidden cost: 10-20% of a full-time role depending on criticality. If you don't have internal DevOps resources → go with n8n Cloud. If your data is sensitive (healthcare, finance, defence) → self-hosting is mandatory.
Complex ETL and data pipelines
For massive extraction into a data warehouse (BigQuery, Snowflake) with heavy transformations, tools like Airbyte or dbt are better suited. n8n remains relevant for orchestrating those tools, but it isn't a pure ETL. Good fit: syncing "business" data between applications, moderate volumes (< 100k rows/day).
// F.A.Q
Frequently asked questions about n8n
What is n8n and what is it used for?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform that lets you connect your tools, sync your data and automate your business processes. It orchestrates exchanges between applications, APIs and systems without heavy development, with over 400 native integrations (Google Workspace, Slack, Stripe, PostgreSQL, etc.).
What is the difference between n8n and Zapier?
Three major differences: n8n can be self-hosted (full control over your data), it lets you inject JavaScript code for superior technical flexibility, and its pricing model is far more cost-effective at high volumes (self-hosted n8n is free, or €20/month in the cloud - Zapier can reach €100-600/month depending on usage).
Is n8n free?
Yes, n8n is open-source and entirely free when self-hosted. You can install it on your own server with no limitation on features or executions. n8n also offers a managed cloud plan (n8n.cloud): a free tier up to 1,000 executions/month, and Starter at €20/month for 5,000 executions.
What are the main use cases for n8n?
n8n excels in several use cases: data synchronisation (CRM ↔ ERP, Xano database ↔ Google Sheets, automatic enrichment), smart notifications (Slack/Email alerts based on business events), process orchestration (customer onboarding, multi-step approvals), IT system integration (connecting SaaS tools + internal APIs + databases), and exposing custom APIs without a heavy backend.
Do you need to know how to code to use n8n?
No, the visual interface lets you build most workflows without coding: drag & drop nodes, form-based configuration, click-to-map data. For advanced needs, being able to code in JavaScript is a plus for complex transformations, custom business validations and advanced JSON/XML manipulation.
Can n8n connect to any API?
Yes, absolutely. n8n offers 400+ ready-to-use native integrations, plus a universal HTTP Request node to call any REST or GraphQL API, support for inbound and outbound webhooks, database connections (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB…), and the ability to build custom nodes for your internal APIs.
Can n8n be used with WeWeb and Xano?
Absolutely! n8n fits perfectly into a WeWeb + Xano stack: bidirectional synchronisation with Xano (CRM ↔ business tools), workflows triggered from the WeWeb app via webhooks, asynchronous processing of heavy tasks, user notifications. At ezacae, we regularly use this WeWeb + Xano + n8n stack for our client projects.
What is the difference between self-hosted n8n and n8n cloud?
Self-hosted offers full control (hosting on your own infrastructure, 100% in-house data, advanced SSO/private network customisation), free apart from infrastructure costs, with responsibility for updates and security. The cloud (managed by n8n) lets you get started in minutes with automatic updates - a free tier (1,000 exec/month) then from €20/month.
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Let's discuss your needs and see how we can help you go from idea to application, fast and right.
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