n8n-io/n8n

n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform that combines a visual, no-code interface with the flexibility of custom JavaScript and Python code execution. With over 150,000 GitHub stars as of March 2026, it has become one of the most popular automation tools in the open-source ecosystem, rivaling commercial platforms like Zapier and Make while offering complete data sovereignty. What sets n8n apart is its fair-code license model — the source code is always visible and available, self-hosting is free, and the platform can be extended without limits. For teams that need workflow automation but cannot send data to third-party services due to compliance requirements (HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2), n8n's self-hosted option is a game-changer. The platform now includes native AI capabilities with built-in nodes for OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, and local model providers. Developers can build AI agent workflows that chain LLM calls with database queries, API integrations, and conditional logic — all through a visual canvas. This has made n8n a popular choice for building custom AI agents without writing complex orchestration code. n8n connects to over 400 services out of the box, including databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB), APIs (Slack, GitHub, Jira, Salesforce), and file storage (S3, Google Drive). Custom integrations can be built using the HTTP Request node or by creating community nodes in TypeScript. The workflow engine supports error handling, retries, sub-workflows, and webhook triggers for event-driven automation.