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n8n desktop app — Powerful low code workflows on your desktop
n8n is the automation platform you never outgrow. With it, you can create complex workflows, insert code snippets where needed, and stay in control by auditing the source code and storing data locally. Our desktop app can be installed with just a few clicks.
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@kevin @janoberhauser congratulations, I am closely following the n8n development and I am amazed each time a update is posted
@janoberhauser Where is the download link by the way? Might be worth updating your comment or the description as I can't find the apps anywhere on the site
@janoberhauser @scotty_bowler here is a direct link to the different ways to start with n8n (Desktop app is in the middle): https://n8n.io/#get-started
@kevin @janoberhauser Amazing to see there is a desktop version now. And also that there is a MacOs version.
@kevin @janoberhauser Hi, sounds interesting. Does it need anyway to code something or it could be used even by marketer?
This tool looks very interesting. You might create a collection in your website showing different use cases all are using it for. Or do you already have it ?
@nikhil_agrawal Thanks a lot! Yes you can find example workflows on https://n8n.io/workflows
We currently use integromat - how is n8n different? Maybe I misunderstand the product but it looks like a Zapier-type workflow automation tool.
@lauritsjb I'd say n8n is more akin to Integromat than Zapier, but more powerful for tech-savvy folks.
At a high level, n8n let’s you stay closer to the data in your flow - for me, it’s more intuitive. Here’s an example: the Jira node’s “Get all tickets” outputs an array of tickets in JSON format - each of these are considered an “item” in n8n (any top-level element in that output array is an “item”). By default, each node performs it’s operation on each item of input data. So when I route that Jira node output into a Trello node set up to “Add card to board”, each Jira ticket is added to Trello automatically. There’s no “loop” step - it’s just built into n8n’s take on automation. A lot of the workflow experience feels like that - it’s designed around you efficiently working with data and abstracting away the 😠 😤 steps like auth, boilerplate code... or banging your head over a crappy API doc for hours.
On top of that, the Merge node is super powerful for 2-way syncs and I don’t believe Integromat has this. You can also self-host it for free, or use cloud product. I use cloud, and my flows would cost more on Integromat and a lot more on Zapier.
Love n8n - it takes a bit of getting used to, but once you have the grasp of it the potential is endless
@scotty_bowler Thanks a lot. Yes I hear you there. We are sadly not yet, as easy to use as we want to be but we are working constantly on improving that and making it esp. easier for new starters.
@janoberhauser don't worry, it just leaves room for power users like us to advise clients ;)
Great to see the desktop version live! Is the desktop version wrapper around the web or is it build from scratch, would be cool to know the tech stack.
Thanks! The code of all our versions are identical. So n8n Desktop is more or less default n8n wrapped with Electron and some tweaks to make it run in there properly.
I've been using n8n on my Synology (NAS) for some time now but being able to install it as a desktop application is what I was missing! Congratulation @janoberhauser for launching this version and please keep up the good work!
@thedaviddias1 Thanks a lot, great to hear that we could address your need. Keep on having fun!
?makers What are the main advantages of your product compared with Integromat? Anything you do much better than Integromat ? (besides native vs web)
@adsy_me made a few comparisons in my other comments on here. In short:
- n8n’s take on automation is more intuitive for me. Great example is iteration is dead-simple (each node performs its step on each item of incoming data - like a HubSpot contact or Jira ticket).
- Some powerful nodes that integromat lacks, like the merge node (great for 2way syncs; helps identify unique items between two systems and all manner of other complex comparison/ filtering)
- extendablity: build custom nodes, or fork it and really customize anything.
- Affordability: n8n is free (self-hosted, minus infra costs), or much cheaper than integromat for complex workflows (Integromat charges per operation, n8n.cloud only counts when your whole workflow runs - be it 1 step or 50 steps). With self-hosting, you also get to own your data.
Very very cool to see this - bringing together a fragmented world of apps and services - what's the main difference between this and Zapier?
@daniele_packard in two words: Easy (Zapier) vs. Powerful (n8n).
With Zapier, UX is a bit more optimized for someone without any technical experience. With n8n, you can automate rather complex processes but it helps to have some technical chops - definitely don't need to be a dev, but helpful to know what an array is etc. In n8n, can have dozens of logical flows/ branches, execute JS (+ npm packages) - I've seen people model out entire deployment/ orchestration flows, or complex KYC processes.
Another big difference would be the self-hosting option - so data privacy and customization comes to mind. I've seen some teams build custom nodes (integrations) on their company n8n instances to make it easier for marketing/ growth folks to build flows (like a node for their own SaaS app with special actions intended for internal team only). Or add HIPPA compliance since they can control the infrastructure. Or even embedding n8n in their own product.
For a really specific example: I built a workflow that can be consumed as an API endpoint. I send it a domain name and it scrapes trustpilot for reviews for that site. Next it runs it through Google sentiment analysis and filters out only 5star and very positive reviews. It then formats that all nicely into a JSON response and returns that. That took me ±40 mins the first time around and next time will be 15min. I don't think I would be able to do that in less than a few days bumbling around in native code.
Lastly - Zapier will be WAAY more expensive if you're using it for anything beyond a few zap runs here and there. Zapier charges for each item of data in each step. So pulling in 100 contacts and moving them somewhere = 200 tasks. On n8n's cloud product, that would count as 1 workflow execution. On n8n self hosted or desktop, it would be free other than hosting costs. Hope that helps!
This is awesome!
I'm sorry to ask a "dumb" question, but I suppose tasks get queued and executed when the computer is back running? I'm currently using Integromat but I'd love to give this a try, I just wanna make sure that any trigger when the computer's off will still be executed later
Thanks!
@juandiegoferri No if the computer is off so is n8n and so nothing will or can get queued. In this case you either have to use our hosted version (https://www.n8n.cloud/) or install it on your own web server for free (https://docs.n8n.io/getting-star...).
n8n made my life so much easier! I have automated my newsletter signups, broadcasting and multiple syncs of my DBs with Notion. I just fckn love it!
Having now a native app in my Dock is just amazing. Way easier to access and I can even show it to my parents and not so tech-savvy friends so they understand my excitement and may give it a spin as well :)
thank you @janoberhauser and team for creating this!
Honestly, I love Integromat . But the more I work with n8n , the more it's becoming my default – especially when it is easier to use Javascript.
@honzapav Then hope with the other updates we have planned the next months we are able to convince you switch totally ;-)
I have been using n8n for a while already and this product will make my life even easier. Docker setup is fine but it requires some maintenance. Way to go n8n! Amazing job!
With this desktop app, I was able to quickly create a workflow that sends me the top 5 products on Product Hunt. No need to write code or setup servers to try out ideas or create prototypes! This will definitely change how automated workflows are created. Thank you for creating this!
Congratulations on launching this new product! I've been using n8n for a couple of months ago and its really a GEM! This really helps me a lot, and ever since I found this tool, the whole process of my system development becomes easier and super fast!
@kentlucky Thanks! That is great to hear and also thanks for your support! Always great to hear when n8n is helpful for people. Have fun!
This is very cool - if I wanted to extract PDF info from a folder as they're added automatically, how would I set this up? Start -> Read Binary File -> Read PDF (How do I not use a fixed end file, and get it finding each new file as it's added?
@oliver_kicks1 Thanks! You can use our "Local File Trigger" node (https://n8n.io/integrations/n8n-...). It can set it up to always start a workflow execution once a new PDF got added.
Finally i found Automation that really respect Telegram. the amount of features that i found in this app for telegram integration is Amazing.. this app really include the full functions of telegram API. i wish there's the same for Jivochat ♥ GLWS
@kravz That is great to hear! Please open a feature request for Jivochat in our forum and upvote it. The more people are also interested in the the faster we will add support.
@janoberhauser can i ask please if there's any plans to run LTD on appsumo for your paid project "Cloud version" ? i would like to be the first one who invest in this amazing project!!
@kravz No something like that is sadly not possible. The reason is that each n8n instance needs fixed resources to run (RAM) and they are quite expensive. Meaning we would lose huge amounts of money every month if we would offer one-time deals like Appsumo does.
No-code automation is the next big thing. Soon it will be common to each of us the way online shopping or using our smartphones for navigation is right now.
n8n is well on the path of making it free and accessible to anybody. Self-hosting and local deployment was easy before, but required access to the command line and knowledge of Docker.
With the desktop app, ease of access to this great tech is improved even further. Really amazing!
@ivan_arnaudov Thanks a lot for your support! We also hope that automation becomes much more mainstream and we are working every day to make that happen!
Congratulations for the initiative, excited with so many good news about this incredible tool.
This will certainly contribute to the popularization of n8n, I've already released the news to my network here in Brazil.
@claudio_balbino Thank you very much for you support and helping with growing the n8n community in Brazil!
@sandochee I hope you do! And please provide feedback, always eager to learn how to improve.
@janoberhauser Actually I just installed it to check. I saw that I can read / write files, but is it possibble to execute script locally or command lines?
@sandochee Yes, that is possible with the Execute Command Node (https://n8n.io/integrations/n8n-...).
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