A Brief History of n8n: How a Vision for Automation Became a Global Platform
n8n was founded in 2019 by Jan Oberhauser in Berlin, Germany. While this makes the platform relatively young compared to some industry veterans, its powerful node-based architecture, developer-first ethos, and unique “fair-code” model have allowed it to punch far above its weight. In just a few short years, n8n has evolved from a solo project into a venture-backed company with a massive global community, proving that age is just a number when the vision is strong.
The Spark of an Idea: From Visual Effects to Workflow Automation
So, where did n8n even come from? The story starts not in a corporate boardroom, but in the creative world of visual effects (VFX). Before creating n8n, founder Jan Oberhauser spent years working for VFX companies on major films like Maleficent. A huge part of his role involved simplifying and automating complex tasks for artists to streamline their creative pipelines. It was here, in the trenches of making digital magic, that he developed a deep passion for automation.
He saw a gap. Existing tools were often too restrictive, too expensive, or too simplistic for complex, multi-step processes. He envisioned a tool that was visual, flexible, and extensible—something that could connect anything to everything. It’s an experience I can relate to; how often have we, as automation pros, hit a wall with a tool and wished we could just pop the hood and write a little code? That’s the core problem Jan set out to solve.
So, How Old is n8n Exactly? A Timeline of Rapid Growth
While n8n was founded in 2019, its journey feels much longer because of how quickly it has matured. It didn’t just appear; it exploded onto the scene. Let’s be honest, in the tech world, five or six years can feel like a lifetime, and n8n has used that time incredibly well.
Here’s a quick look at the key milestones that tell the story:
| Year | Key Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Jan Oberhauser founds n8n in Berlin. The project is born from the name “nodemation” (Node-based automation), which was cleverly shortened to the CLI-friendly “n8n.” |
| 2020 | n8n secures a major seed funding round from prestigious investors, including Sequoia Capital. This provided a massive vote of confidence and the resources to grow the team and accelerate development. |
| 2021 | The platform’s momentum leads to a $12 million Series A funding round, further solidifying its position in the market and enabling massive expansion of its features and team. |
| Today | n8n boasts a vibrant community on Discord and its forums, a robust cloud offering, an enterprise solution, and hundreds of integrations (including advanced AI capabilities). It stands as a leading example of a source-available, community-driven platform. |
More Than Just Age: The ‘Fair-Code’ Philosophy
You can’t talk about the history of n8n without talking about its licensing. n8n operates on a “fair-code” model, which is a huge part of its identity. What does that mean for you? Think of it as a middle ground between purely open-source and proprietary closed-source software.
Essentially, the source code is always visible. You can download it, self-host it on your own servers, and customize it to your heart’s content. This is a game-changer for businesses concerned with data privacy, security, and avoiding vendor lock-in. You have ultimate control. The “fair” part comes in with some commercial restrictions to ensure the project remains sustainable. For most users, it offers the best of both worlds: the freedom of open source with the reliability of a commercially backed product.
A Real-World Example: Growing with n8n
Let’s imagine a small marketing agency that started in 2020. At first, they were manually pulling data from Google Analytics into a Google Sheet and then copy-pasting summaries into Slack for clients. It was a tedious, 5-hour-a-week job.
They discovered n8n and self-hosted it on a simple server. Their first workflow was a game-changer: a simple, three-node flow that automated the entire reporting process. As the agency grew, so did their use of n8n. They integrated HubSpot, built custom API endpoints for clients, and even started using Python nodes for advanced data analysis. n8n scaled with them, from a simple time-saver to the core engine of their data operations. This journey is a perfect illustration of n8n’s power; it meets you where you are and grows with you.
Conclusion: Young, But Mighty
So, how old is n8n? It was founded in 2019. But the more important question is, what has it accomplished in that time? n8n has built a powerful, flexible, and beloved platform that empowers both no-code builders and hardcore developers. Its youth isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. It means the platform was built for the modern web, with a forward-thinking architecture and a deep understanding of today’s integration challenges. In the fast-paced world of automation, n8n has proven that a clear vision and a strong community can build a legacy in a very short time.
