# n8n automation agency

> n8n agency based in Spain: we design, host in the EU and maintain your n8n automation workflows with AI, CRM, ERP and email. Free first call.

URL: https://gradual.pro/en/services/n8n-automation

Updated: 2026-09-29

n8n workflows with AI, hosted in the EU and maintained by us. They connect your CRM, ERP and inbox.

- n8n is an open-source automation platform you can host on your own server.
- Self-hosted, you do not pay per execution: the cost is the server.
- We install n8n in the EU, build the workflows and maintain them. Free first call.
- If you already use Make or Zapier, we migrate the scenarios worth moving.

## What is n8n and why do we use it?

n8n is a tool for connecting apps and automating tasks through visual workflows: a trigger (a new email, a form, a time of day) followed by steps that read, transform and send data. It has hundreds of integrations and AI nodes for working with models such as GPT or Claude. You will find a short definition in the [n8n glossary entry](/en/glossary/n8n).

We chose it for three practical reasons. You can host it on your own server, so data stays in the EU. It lets you write code when a node falls short. And its pricing model does not punish workflows that run thousands of times a month.

## n8n vs Make vs Zapier: which fits your business?

At a basic level all three automate the same things. They differ in where your data lives, how they charge and how far they go when a workflow gets complicated. Zapier is the easiest for simple two-step workflows. Make offers a powerful visual editor and reasonable per-operation pricing. n8n pays off when volume grows, when data is sensitive or when you need custom logic.

For the full breakdown, read [n8n vs Make](/en/blog/n8n-vs-make). The table on this page sums up the differences that matter most to a small business.

## What are the benefits of self-hosted n8n in the EU?

We install n8n on a server from a European provider (for example Hetzner or OVH) contracted in your company's name. You control where customer and employee data is processed, which simplifies GDPR compliance compared with platforms hosted outside the EU.

We handle backups, updates, the HTTPS certificate, credential management and monitoring. If a workflow fails, we get an alert before you notice. And if you ever want to move n8n elsewhere, workflows export as JSON and keep working.

## Which workflows can you automate with n8n?

These are typical n8n automation workflows we build for service, retail and distribution companies:

- **Leads to CRM**: web form or ad, data enrichment, AI scoring and creation in HubSpot or Pipedrive.
- **Invoices**: email with PDF, AI extraction, validation and entry in QuickBooks, Xero or your ERP.
- **Orders**: online store, stock, carrier and customer notification with no manual steps.
- **WhatsApp support**: n8n as the brain of a [WhatsApp AI agent](/en/use-cases/whatsapp-ai-agent) connected to your database.
- **Reports**: sales, marketing and support data delivered as a summary to Slack or email every week.

## Process

1. **Workflow review**: We list the candidate processes, or the scenarios you already run in Make or Zapier.
2. **n8n installation**: An EU server in your name, with backups, HTTPS and secure access.
3. **Build**: We create the workflows with error handling, retries and alerts.
4. **Testing and handover**: We test with real data and document what each workflow does and how to change it.
5. **Maintenance**: Updates, monitoring and changes when your tools change.

- to get the first workflows into production: 1-3 weeks
- typical server cost for n8n in a small business: €10-40/month
- per execution on self-hosted n8n: €0

Indicative ranges. Server cost depends on the provider and execution volume, and excludes AI API usage.

### n8n, Make and Zapier for a small business

|  | n8n (self-hosted) | Make | Zapier |

| --- | --- | --- | --- |

| Where your data lives | Your server in the EU | Vendor cloud | Vendor cloud |

| Pricing model | Fixed server cost | Per operation | Per task |

| High-volume workflows | No extra cost | Price climbs | Price climbs fast |

| Custom code | Yes, JavaScript and Python | Limited | Limited |

| Learning curve | Medium | Medium | Low |

| AI nodes and agents | Yes, very complete | Yes | Yes |

Tools: n8n, Docker, Hetzner, OVHcloud, PostgreSQL, OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, HubSpot, QuickBooks, WhatsApp Business API

## FAQ

### How much does n8n automation cost?

Our n8n projects are budgeted per phase with a fixed price agreed before we start, including installation on a European server and the first workflows. The server is paid directly to the hosting provider, which for a small business is usually €10 to €40 per month, plus AI usage if your workflows use it.

### Is n8n free?

The n8n Community edition can be self-hosted for free under its Sustainable Use License, which allows use for your company's internal processes. n8n also offers a cloud version and paid plans with enterprise features, which we only recommend if you need them.

### Can you migrate my Make or Zapier scenarios to n8n?

Yes. We review your scenarios, migrate the ones that save money or cause problems and leave the ones that work well and cost little. There is no reliable automatic conversion, so we rebuild each workflow and test it before switching the old one off.

### What is the difference between an n8n agency and doing it myself?

An n8n agency handles hosting, security, error handling and maintenance, so you skip the trial and error. n8n is open source, so a technical team can run it alone. Most businesses hire us to reach production faster and to have someone accountable when a workflow breaks.

### What happens if the n8n server goes down?

Monitoring alerts us within minutes and we restore from backup. Critical workflows are designed with retries and queues, so pending executions are processed when the service comes back.

### Can I edit the workflows myself afterwards?

Yes. The server and the workflows are yours, and we hand over documentation for each one. If someone on your team wants to learn, we run a session on changing workflows without breaking anything.