What Is n8n?
n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n") is an open-source workflow automation platform. Think Zapier or Make (Integromat), but self-hosted — your data stays on your server, and there are no per-execution fees.
Why Self-Host Instead of SaaS?
| Feature | Zapier/Make | n8n (Self-Hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Per task/execution | Free (unlimited) |
| Data privacy | Processed on their servers | Never leaves your server |
| Execution limits | Tiered by plan | Limited only by your hardware |
| Custom code | Limited | Full JavaScript/Python support |
| Integrations | 5,000+ | 400+ built-in, plus HTTP/webhook for anything |
Deploy on Panelica
Navigate to Docker → App Templates and deploy n8n. Panelica will set up the container with persistent storage for your workflows and credentials.
After deployment, access n8n at the assigned port or through a custom subdomain.
Your First Workflow
Let's create a simple workflow that monitors a website and sends a notification when it goes down:
- Add a Schedule Trigger — runs every 5 minutes
- Add an HTTP Request node — sends a GET request to your website
- Add an IF node — checks if the response status is not 200
- Add an Email or Slack node — sends an alert if the site is down
This four-node workflow replaces an uptime monitoring service that might cost $10–$50/month.
Popular Automation Ideas
- Form submissions → CRM — Automatically add leads to your CRM when forms are submitted
- Invoice processing — Parse incoming invoice emails, extract data, update spreadsheets
- Social media scheduling — Post to multiple platforms on a schedule
- Backup notifications — Get alerts when Panelica backups complete or fail
- Customer onboarding — Send welcome email sequences triggered by webhooks
Webhook Integration
n8n can receive webhooks, making it a perfect companion for Panelica's Developer Webhooks feature. Configure Panelica to send domain, user, or backup events to n8n, and build automation around your server management.
Summary
n8n gives you unlimited workflow automation with zero per-execution costs. On Panelica, deploying it is a one-click operation that immediately connects you to 400+ services and APIs.