Getting Started with n8n Automation in 2026

If you’re tired of doing repetitive tasks manually, n8n is about to become your best friend. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started with n8n workflow automation.

What is n8n?

n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is a powerful, open-source workflow automation tool. Think of it as a visual programming environment where you connect different apps and services to automate tasks — without writing code.

Why n8n Over Zapier or Make?

Feature	n8n	Zapier	Make
Self-hosting	Yes (Free)	No	No
Open Source	Yes	No	No
Pricing	Free (self-hosted)	$19.99/mo+	$9/mo+
Custom Code	Full JS/Python	Limited	Limited
Workflows	Unlimited	Limited by plan	Limited by plan

Installation Options

Option 1: Self-Hosted on VPS (Recommended)

The most cost-effective approach. I have a full tutorial on installing n8n on VPS on my channel.

# Using Docker (simplest method)
docker run -it --rm \
  --name n8n \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n \
  n8nio/n8n

Option 2: n8n Cloud

If you don’t want to manage servers, n8n Cloud starts at $20/month. Check my n8n Cloud vs Self-Hosted comparison for a detailed breakdown.

Your First Workflow

Let’s create a simple workflow that automatically posts to social media when you publish a new blog post:

Trigger: RSS Feed node watching your blog
Process: Format the post title and link
Action: Post to Twitter/X and Telegram

Best n8n Workflow Ideas

Automated WordPress blogging with AI content generation
Social media scheduling across multiple platforms
Lead notifications from contact forms to Slack/Email
Crypto & stock news aggregation for automated news sites
SEO monitoring with automated reporting

Resources

Subscribe to @hivecorp on YouTube for step-by-step video tutorials on n8n automation, AI tools, and more!

Happy automating! 🤖