n8n

n8n, developed by n8n GmbH, is an open-source workflow automation platform. Unlike Zapier and Make's SaaS model, n8n can be fully self-hosted, meaning your data never leaves your own servers—a critical advantage for privacy-conscious solopreneurs. n8n's technical architecture is based on the concept of nodes, each representing an operation or data transformation, connected to build complex workflows. n8n supports 400+ integrations—fewer than Zapier's 7,000+ but covering the most common applications. Unique n8n advantages include: Code nodes for writing custom logic in JavaScript; support for branching, loops, and error handling; and AI nodes (OpenAI, Anthropic) embeddable in workflows. The self-hosted version is completely free with no feature or operation limits. n8n Cloud starts at €20/month, providing hosting and priority support. However, n8n's barrier to entry is significantly higher than Zapier: you need server administration skills for self-hosting; the node-based interface, while flexible, isn't user-friendly for non-technical users; community integration quality varies; and documentation is primarily in English. If you have a technical background and value data sovereignty, n8n is the most cost-effective automation solution.