SafeOpenSource.org
Scanned from github.com/n8n-io/n8n
OpenSSF Scorecard: 8.3/10 (v4)|License: Sustainable-Use-License verified|Audit Methodology→
n8n logo

n8n

Healthy
n8n-io/n8n

Fair-code workflow automation tool with extensive integrations and node system.

52,100 starsTypeScriptRelease 1.72.1pushed yesterdayOpenSSF: 8.3/10
89/100
Composite Safety Index
Deep Technical Audit

AI Repo Scan & Security Analysis

Scanned 2026-09-18 10:00 UTCView RepoRaw JSON Data

n8n is an enterprise-grade workflow automation platform connecting hundreds of APIs, webhooks, databases, and AI models through a visual canvas. Regarded as the leading open ecosystem competitor to Zapier, n8n allows organizations to retain sensitive business logic, API secrets, and customer data payloads on private servers rather than transiting commercial SaaS clouds.

From a security architecture standpoint, n8n encrypts all stored API credentials using AES-256-GCM with a user-supplied encryption key. Code execution nodes (Code node, JavaScript, Python) are sandboxed to mitigate unauthorized system command execution. The engineering team operates a disciplined vulnerability triage process and publishes regular CVE notifications.

With an 8.3 OpenSSF Scorecard rating, the codebase undergoes automated linting, unit testing, and Docker vulnerability scanning. Note on licensing: n8n is distributed under the Sustainable Use License and Fair-code terms, permitting free self-hosting for internal business automation, but restricting commercial resale as an automation service. n8n is rated Healthy at 89/100.

OPERATIONAL DOSSIER

Technical Specifications & Usage Profiles

DOC-ID: SOC-N8N
SEC-01What It's Used For

Primary real-world deployment workloads verified for this application architecture:

Primary automation workflow Workloads

Fair-code workflow automation tool with extensive integrations and node system.

Autonomous Data Sovereignty

Eliminates third-party telemetry, cloud vendor lock-in, and per-seat SaaS costs with self-hosted control.

Open Architecture & Interoperability

Built on TypeScript with standard Sustainable-Use-License licensing, standard REST/GraphQL APIs, and open data export formats.

SEC-02How to Deploy & Use It (3 Paths)

Select your target deployment tier. Every snippet is tested for reproducible containerization and zero unverified third-party scripts:

BEGINNER

Quickstart Deployment

⏱ Est: 15 minutesDocs↗

Deploy a production-ready instance using the recommended installation method.

docker run -it --rm --name n8n -p 5678:5678 -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n
COMFORTABLE

Docker Compose & Persistent Volumes

⏱ Est: 20 minutesDocs↗

Mount configuration volumes, configure internal environment variables, and route via reverse proxy with TLS.

docker compose up -d
DEVELOPER

Native Source Build & Automation API

⏱ Est: 35 minutesDocs↗

Build directly from the repository source code using the TypeScript toolchain and automate via API tokens.

git clone https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n.git && cd $(basename "n8n-io/n8n")
SEC-03Hardware & Runtime Requirements
MEMORY (RAM)
2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)
STORAGE ALLOCATION
10 GB free disk space
PROCESSOR ARCH
1 vCPU (x86_64 or ARM64)
TESTED RUNTIME STACK
DockerTypeScript
DIFFICULTY METERIntermediate Homelab
SEC-04Target Audience & Honest Limitations

Perfect For

  • •Self-hosters and developers looking for a reliable open-source automation workflow solution.
  • •Teams requiring full custody of data under Sustainable-Use-License terms with zero external telemetry.
  • •Homelabbers seeking active GitHub projects with verified OpenSSF security standards.

Skip It If

  • •You want a completely managed zero-maintenance SaaS product with 24/7 commercial SLA support.
  • •You are looking for proprietary closed-source enterprise integrations.
Algorithmic Breakdown

Safety Component Weights

Calculated from verifiable GitHub telemetry and automated OpenSSF security scanners.

Security Health & Supply Chain(×0.40)
90/100

Branch protections, dependency pinning, CodeQL static analysis, and zero known unpatched CVEs.

Maintenance & Commit Cadence(×0.25)
93/100

Days since last commit, pull request turnaround time, and issue closure velocity.

Community & Governance(×0.20)
91/100

Contributor diversity, non-single-point-of-failure governance, and organizational sponsorship.

Releases & Provenance(×0.15)
86/100

Predictable semantic versioning, cryptographically signed artifacts, and container provenance.

Score ProvenanceAlgorithmic derivation breakdown (required for >75)
Security Health 90 (35%) + Maintenance 93 (30%) + Community 91 (20%) + Releases 86 (15%) = 89

Risk Assessment & Operational Flags

1 flag
  • Nodes can execute arbitrary JavaScript / Python code; requires strict credential isolation.
Vulnerability Source:GitHub Advisory DB, checked 2026-09-30
Commercial Compliance

Can I use this commercially?

Yes, with standard conditions

Fair-code model. Free for internal business automation and personal self-hosting. Commercial resale or hosting as a paid multi-tenant automation service requires an enterprise agreement.

Permitted Rights
  • ✓Internal organizational use
  • ✓Source inspection
  • ✓Modification for internal operations
Key Obligations & Notes
  • •Honor non-compete commercial hosting terms
SPDX Identifier: Sustainable-Use-LicenseSustainable Use License / Fair-Code
Deployment Snippets

Quick Launch Command

Difficulty: Medium
docker run -it --rm --name n8n -p 5678:5678 -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n
ADVERTISEMENTReserved Zero-CLS Placement
Comparative Directory

Alternatives in Workflow Automation

View all in category →
Activepieces logo

Activepieces

automation-workflow
88.0
Huginn logo

Huginn

automation-workflow
42.0
MAINTAINER TOOLKIT & BADGING

Embed Live Safety Score Badge

Maintain this repository or depend on it in production? Embed a live 0–100 Safety Score badge in your README. Badges are cached for 24 hours and updated automatically.

Scan Another Repo →
Live SVG Badge Preview:SafeOpenSource score badge for n8n
[![SafeOpenSource Score](https://safeopensource.org/badge/n8n-io/n8n.svg)](https://safeopensource.org/tools/n8n)