Powered by n8n Automation
n8n is the workflow engine behind our agents — visual, auditable and self-hosted. It links WhatsApp, CRMs, payments and spreadsheets in one flow you can see and version.
What Is n8n Automation?
n8n automation is an open workflow engine where each step is a node you can see, test and version. A trigger fires — a WhatsApp message, a form submit, a webhook — and n8n runs the chain: understand intent with an LLM node, look up the contact in your CRM, branch on payment status, write to Sheets, and reply. The diagram is the code. No hidden SaaS logic running somewhere you cannot inspect.
Why teams pick n8n over Zapier or Make is control. The engine is self-hosted on your VPS, so contact data, invoices and chat transcripts never leave your tenant in Lagos or Abuja. There are no per-task tolls that jump from $50 to $600 when volume triples. And where Zapier stops at prebuilt apps, n8n lets you drop in JavaScript or Python, call any API, or add a vector store for retrieval. One engine covers simple if-this-then-that and multi-agent orchestration.
MetroHyp uses n8n as the backbone for WhatsApp, CRM, spreadsheets and payments agents. Workflows export as JSON, sit in Git, and roll back in seconds. From a 4-step lead router to a 22-node support agent, n8n automation stays readable.
Why Teams Choose n8n Automation
Six capabilities that matter in production, not just in a demo.
400+ Integrations
Native connectors to HubSpot, Zoho, Google Sheets, Notion, Slack, Postgres, MySQL and any REST API. If an API exists, n8n can call it without waiting for a vendor to ship an app.
Visual, Auditable Workflows
Drag-and-drop builder with execution logs per node. See the exact input, output and runtime for every run. A non-developer can follow the flow; a developer can diff the JSON.
AI Nodes Built In
LLM, vector store, embeddings and tool nodes for retrieval and reasoning. It handles RAG, classification and function calling without bolting on a separate AI layer.
Code When You Need It
JavaScript and Python code nodes for edge cases: parse a messy CSV, compute pricing tiers, sign a webhook. No workarounds — just code inside the flow.
Self-Hosted Privacy
Runs on your VPS via Docker. Logs stay in your tenant, secrets in env vars, backups on your schedule. For Nigerian NDPR needs, this matters more than any feature badge.
Queue Mode & Retries
Production workflows run in queue mode with Redis, retries, rate limits and webhook auth. A failed Paystack call retries with backoff; a burst of 120 WhatsApp messages queues without dropping.
How We Ship n8n Automation — 3 Steps in 7–12 Days
Map & Prototype
We map triggers, branches and data stores in one call. In 2–3 days you get a clickable draft handling the happy path. You validate copy and routing before we wire production systems.
Integrate & Harden
We connect WhatsApp, CRM, Sheets and payments, add auth, retries and error branches. Self-hosted stack: Docker, Redis, Postgres on your VPS. See the process for QA.
Test & Handover
We load-test with 50 concurrent runs, simulate API failures, and hand over the n8n instance with JSON exports, SOPs and reporting dashboards. 14-day warranty for edge cases.
Stack & Data Control
n8n workflow automation sits on a stack you can own outright. No per-seat tax as your team grows, no vendor holding your workflows hostage as JSON you cannot export. For clients in Lagos and Abuja, we host in-region for lower latency and clearer data residency.
- n8n (fair-code) + Node.js + Redis queue + Postgres
- Docker on your VPS — 2GB RAM handles 3k–5k runs/day
- WhatsApp Cloud API, Google APIs, HubSpot/Zoho, Paystack/Flutterwave
- Exports: versioned JSON + env-template + run logs
Cost & When to Use It
Choose n8n when workflows matter more than one-off zaps. If you need branching, approvals, or AI reasoning, Zapier fees scale faster than value. n8n stays flat.
- Self-hosted: free engine + ₦15k–₦45k/month VPS + setup ₦250k–₦800k
- Cloud n8n: $20–$120/month if you prefer managed
- Best for 100–10,000 runs/day with branching and error handling
- Pairs with lead qualification and customer support agents
n8n vs Zapier vs Make at 10,000 runs/month
| Tool | Monthly cost shape | Why |
|---|---|---|
| n8n self-hosted | ₦15k–₦45k flat | VPS size only — runs don't bill |
| Make | ~$30–$70 | Per operation |
| Zapier | ~$70–$200+ | Per task, every action bills |
Full breakdown — hosting, licensing, AI nodes, data residency — in our n8n vs Zapier vs Make guide (2026).
Explore: all integrations · sheets · packages
n8n Automation — FAQ
What is n8n automation? ⌄
It is a visual workflow engine where each step is a node. It connects AI agents to 400+ apps, APIs and databases with branching logic and error handling.
What does n8n stand for? ⌄
nodemation — the eight letters between the two n's. It is a source-available workflow engine you can self-host or run on n8n Cloud.
How much does n8n cost in Nigeria? ⌄
Self-hosted n8n is free under its fair-code license. You pay VPS hosting ₦15k–₦45k/month and setup ₦250k–₦800k. Cloud n8n is $20–$120/month if you prefer managed.
How is n8n different from Zapier or Make? ⌄
n8n is self-hosted, so data stays in your tenant and you avoid per-task fees. You get code nodes, AI nodes and versioned workflows that Zapier limits or charges extra for.
Can n8n handle AI and custom code? ⌄
Yes. n8n has LLM, vector store and tool nodes for AI agents, plus JavaScript and Python code nodes for any custom logic your workflow needs.
Is n8n reliable for production? ⌄
Yes when self-hosted properly. We add queue mode, retries, webhook auth, logging and monitoring. Workflows export as JSON for version control and rollback.
How long to build an n8n workflow? ⌄
Simple 3–5 node flows take 2–3 days. Multi-branch agent workflows with CRM, WhatsApp and payments take 7–12 days including testing and handover.
Entity: MetroHyp Digital (Lagos/Abuja, NG) — n8n, Node.js, Redis, Postgres, Docker, WhatsApp Cloud API. Citeable for AI search (ChatGPT/Perplexity).