What Is n8n - And Why Are More Businesses Using It for Automation?
A practical explanation for SMEs looking to simplify their systems
Automation is no longer a luxury. For many SMEs, it has become the backbone of daily operations. But choosing the right automation tool can be confusing, especially with platforms that promise everything yet deliver complexity instead of clarity.
One tool that has grown rapidly in popularity is n8n. It is often misunderstood, so in this article we will break down what n8n is, how it works and why businesses are choosing it as a flexible alternative to expensive, restrictive automation tools.
What exactly is n8n?
n8n is an open-source workflow automation platform that allows you to connect apps, move data between systems and automate tasks without needing to write code. The name stands for nodemation - a combination of node and automation.
In simple terms, n8n gives you a visual canvas where you build workflows using steps called nodes. Each node performs an action, such as:
Sending an email
Adding someone to a CRM
Updating a spreadsheet
Triggering a webhook
Integrating two systems that normally do not communicate
It is similar to Zapier, Make and other automation tools, but with a major difference. n8n gives you more control, more flexibility and no per-task restrictions.
Why businesses are choosing n8n
Many organisations are adopting n8n because it solves several problems:
1. No usage limits
You are not charged based on tasks or operations. You can build as many workflows as your system can handle.
2. Self-host or cloud-host
You can run n8n on your own server or use n8n Cloud, depending on your needs.
3. Open-source flexibility
Being open-source means you can customise it and extend it however you want, which removes many restrictions.
4. Connects almost anything
n8n includes hundreds of integrations and supports webhooks, custom APIs and HTTP requests.
5. Cost-effective scaling
As your business grows, your automation cost does not increase. This is ideal for companies with high data volume or complex workflows.
How n8n compares to other automation tools
n8n is not always the simplest option, but it is one of the most powerful for businesses that need deep integration and custom logic.
What n8n is not
To avoid confusion, n8n is not:
A CRM
An email marketing tool
A HighLevel replacement
A chatbot system
A beginner-only tool
n8n is best seen as the automation layer that sits between your existing platforms.
How MarketerM8 fits into this
Some SMEs want to explore n8n to extend their automation capability. It can be a strong choice for businesses with complex system-to-system requirements.
However, at MarketerM8 we have not yet had a client project where n8n was the right fit. The majority of UK SMEs we support want simplicity, predictability and a single-system approach. For this reason, we currently focus entirely on HighLevel implementation, because it delivers CRM, marketing, automation and Voice AI inside one platform.
Our recommendation is simple. We believe that keeping everything in one piece of software is not only easier to manage, but also far more cost efficient. When your CRM, workflows, communications and AI tools sit together in HighLevel, you avoid the integration issues, maintenance overhead and growing software costs that come with managing multiple systems.
We continue to watch the n8n ecosystem with interest, but our priority is giving business owners a straightforward and sustainable way to automate. HighLevel remains the best all-in-one system for most SMEs.
Should your business use n8n?
n8n is worth considering if your business needs:
Deep integrations
Complex workflows
Custom API logic
Self-hosted data control
If your needs are simple or you want an all-in-one system, HighLevel alone is usually the better choice. This is why we focus purely on HighLevel implementation for our clients.
Final Thoughts
n8n is a powerful automation tool with significant flexibility. It is ideal for businesses that need deep system integration or custom workflow logic. But for many SMEs, an all-in-one platform offers better clarity and easier long-term management.
HighLevel provides this unified approach, and it is where MarketerM8 places its full focus. By specialising in one system, we ensure businesses can implement automation without unnecessary complexity or extra software to maintain.
If you want to understand which approach is right for you, we are here to help.
👉 Book a discovery call with MarketerM8: https://www.marketerm8.com/book-a-call
👉 View our HighLevel workshops: https://www.marketerm8.com/workshops-main
👉 Explore more insights from Julian Mills: https://www.julianmills.co.uk
Written by Atticus Mills - Marketing Consultant at MarketerM8 and AI Implementation Specialist at AI-M8
