n8n

n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool. An automation is assembled visually from nodes: a trigger (for example a new order in an e-shop, an incoming e-mail or a schedule), steps that call other applications through their APIs, and conditions that decide how the flow branches. n8n offers over 400 ready-made integrations and, unlike Make or Zapier, lets you write custom code in JavaScript or Python directly inside the workflow.

The key difference from hosted services is that n8n can run on your own server (self-hosted). The company then pays only for the server, not for the number of operations performed, and the data never leaves its own infrastructure, which simplifies GDPR compliance. There is also a paid n8n Cloud option for those who do not want to manage a server.

Typical uses in small and mid-sized businesses: connecting an e-shop to accounting (Pohoda, Fakturoid), logging website enquiries in a CRM, regular reports, and connecting AI models to sort e-mails or prepare content. For steps with an external effect, such as a payment or a publication, an approval step for a person is added to the workflow.