Matthias

Architecting powerful, ethical automation solutions for SMBs. I leverage the n8n open-source platform exclusively to eliminate expensive license fees (bye, Zapier/Make!) and ensure 100% data sovereignty for my clients. Ex-finance professional turned full-stack automation expert. I'm here to share complex workflows and discuss the future of secure, budget-friendly No-Code.

As an n8n Automation Architect and founder of Azenflow, n8n is the engine behind all my client solutions. The self-hosting and open-source model are genuine game-changers for SMBs and privacy-conscious businesses. It allows us to deliver powerful, custom automation without locking clients into recurring, scaling subscription fees from competitors like Zapier or Make. The ability to handle complex logic and proprietary APIs is unmatched.""Yes, the steep learning curve is real for teams transitioning from simple No-Code tools. That's precisely why a specialized agency like Azenflow exists: we bridge that gap. We simplify the deployment, build the powerful workflows, and ensure our clients get the full benefits of n8n's power without the technical overhead. It's the future of ethical and scalable automation.

I chose n8n over alternatives like Zapier and Make for three non-negotiable reasons:

1. Cost and Scale (0€ License Fees): For all my clients (especially SMBs), the recurring, scaling subscription fees of proprietary No-Code tools become prohibitive quickly. n8n's open-source nature eliminates these license fees entirely. This means our clients invest only once in the deployment (managed by Azenflow), and then the operating cost is zero. This is a massive competitive advantage.

2. Data Sovereignty and Compliance (RGPD): As a French agency, data privacy is paramount. Self-hosting n8n is the only reliable way to guarantee 100% data sovereignty and RGPD compliance. We retain full control over the infrastructure, which is impossible with cloud-locked competitors.

3. Technical Depth and Customization: When projects move beyond simple trigger/action scenarios, n8n's ability to seamlessly integrate custom JavaScript, handle complex multi-step logic, and connect to proprietary APIs is unmatched. It's the only platform that offers the best of both the visual (No-Code) and the technical (DevOps/Code) worlds.

Extremely stable, provided the deployment architecture is correctly configured. This is a non-issue if you use Docker, optimize the execution memory, and use dedicated queues for asynchronous jobs (which is standard practice for heavy loads). The stability of n8n itself is high, but workflow stability under heavy load is mainly dictated by the user's hosting infrastructure and maintenance strategy. We [Azenflow] manage high-load deployments for our clients because misconfiguration is the primary cause of instability, not the n8n core.

The 500+ pre-built connectors cover 80% of standard needs, but the remaining 20% is where n8n truly shines. For complex or proprietary stacks (common in SMBs, finance, or specialized industries), the HTTP Request node and the Custom JavaScript Function node are essential. The full access to code and API handling is what sets n8n apart from No-Code tools that limit access to custom endpoints. We often recommend n8n specifically because we can quickly build a custom integration via its open nature, solving needs that others can't.

The community is highly active, technical, and collaborative, primarily on their dedicated forum and Discord. It's strong where it matters: solving complex, specific issues (APIs, specific nodes) and sharing advanced knowledge (JavaScript functions). The "plugin" (or node) ecosystem is evolving fast, but is more focused on core business needs than on vanity integrations. As an agency, we rely on the core community for technical depth, but we develop custom nodes when standard connectors fall short for enterprise/SMB stack integration.