n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform with a visual node editor that connects hundreds of apps and services into powerful automated workflows. Unlike proprietary tools like Zapier, n8n can be self-hosted, supports custom JavaScript in any workflow node, and offers advanced branching logic that handles complex business processes. Developers and technical teams at companies like Adidas, Lufthansa, and Mozilla use n8n to automate repetitive tasks, sync data between systems, and build internal tools without writing full applications.