Solutions · n8n

n8n implementation partner · self-hosted automation

Self-hosted n8n implementation — full ownership, real cost control, AI-native nodes

n8n is the right answer when Zapier or Make stops paying back — usually somewhere between 5,000 and 20,000 monthly executions. Self-hosted, no per-task pricing, custom code nodes, native AI integrations, and full data sovereignty. We are an n8n implementation partner: clean builds, ports off Zapier/Make, and ongoing operations with proper monitoring + observability.

Book the free audit→See pricing

40–80%

cost reduction vs Zapier

99.5%+

uptime in 30 days

~$50/mo

self-hosted compute

n8n.dgcore — Self-hosted workflow

LIVE

▸ Branched flow · webhook → AI → fanout

TriggerLLM stepBranchPersist

Executions today

4,218

Compute cost · Hetzner

$0.83

Certified on the platforms you already use80+ builds shipped

GoHighLevel

HubSpot

n8n

Make.com

Zapier

Klaviyo

Airtable

▸ Our verdict on n8n

n8n is the cost-effective scale option for any team running over ~5,000 monthly executions on Zapier or Make. Below that volume, the lower-friction tools win on speed-to-deploy. Above it, n8n is dramatically cheaper and gives you capabilities (custom code, branch-and-merge, error workflows, AI agent nodes) the other tools cannot match. The trade-off is operational ownership — we usually run hosting + monitoring as a service for clients who do not want it in-house.

What we deliver

What our n8n engagements cover

Standard scope. Custom scope available on the audit.

◆

Self-hosted n8n install

Hetzner or DigitalOcean deploy with HTTPS, env management, automated backups, version pinning. Or use n8n Cloud if you prefer not to host.

⌬

AI workflow build

LangChain + RAG + vector store + agent nodes. Multi-step AI workflows with proper error handling, retries, and observability.

✦

Migration from Zapier / Make

Workflow-by-workflow rebuild with full parity. Parallel-run validation, cutover, decommission. Typical 40–80% cost reduction.

⌘

Monitoring + retainer

Uptime monitoring, error alerting, weekly tuning, version upgrades, new workflow builds as you need them. We run it; you own it.

Engagement model

From audit to live n8n build in 4 steps

Same engagement shape as every digicore101 build. Predictable timeline, predictable cost, no scope creep.

017 days

AI Audit

60-min strategy session, stack map, leak analysis, costed roadmap. Vendor-neutral — yours to keep.

·Architecture diagram
·Build sequence
·Cost + timeline lock

025–10 days

Architecture

n8n schema, automations on paper, integration map, AI agent personas.

·Approved schema
·Sign-off on flows
·Migration plan if applicable

032–6 weeks

Build & Deploy

Weekly demos, staged rollout, full handoff documentation. You own everything.

·Live system
·Loom walkthroughs
·Team training session

04Ongoing

Train & Support

Retainer keeps the n8n stack tuned, monitored, and improving — not just running.

·Slack channel
·Weekly tune cycle
·Monthly reporting

The math

Zapier per-task vs n8n self-hosted at 20k executions/mo

Zapier per-task pricing penalizes volume. n8n self-hosted is flat compute cost — usually $5–50/mo on Hetzner regardless of execution volume. The math flips hard above ~5,000 executions/month.

✓Zapier Pro at 20k tasks/mo: ~$169/mo (with overage)

✓Make Pro at 20k ops/mo: ~$29/mo

✓n8n self-hosted: ~$15–50/mo Hetzner compute · unlimited executions

✓Plus n8n: custom code, AI agent nodes, error workflows, branch-and-merge — capabilities Zapier cannot match

Monthly cost · 20k executions

Zapier Pro$169

Per-task · capped at 20k

Make Pro$29

Per-operation · 80% headroom remaining

n8n self-hosted$25

Hetzner CX22 + our retainer · unlimited execs

The math

−$144/mo

plus custom code + AI agent nodes

n8n vs Digicore AI

How n8n compares to Digicore AI

A side-by-side on what each platform actually does. Vendor-neutral — we work in both.

Capabilityn8nDigicore AI

Pricing modelPer-task / per-operationSelf-hosted · flat compute cost

Custom codeLimited filters + JSFull Node.js + Python in-flow

AI / LLM nodesOpenAI integration · basicNative LangChain · agents · RAG · vector

Error handlingEmail alerts + retryBranch-and-merge · error workflows · retries with backoff

Cost at 20k execs/mo~$300–600/mo~$50/mo (Hetzner) + our retainer

Best forUp to 5k execs/mo5k+ execs/mo · custom code · AI agents

Recent n8n work

How real teams used this

Names anonymized where requested.

Migration

Agency · Zapier → n8n · saved $4.8k/yr

32 active Zaps consolidated into 14 n8n workflows with proper branching. Net cost down from $399/mo to $35/mo. Custom code now possible without Code-by-Zapier limits.

32 → 14 flows−91% costCustom code

AI build

B2B SaaS · multi-agent AI workflow

LangChain agents with shared memory + RAG over 12k internal docs. Tool-use across CRM + calendar + Slack. Production-grade with retry + observability.

Multi-agentRAGTool-use

Self-host

Service biz · self-hosted on Hetzner · $5/mo

Migrated from Make Pro at $29/mo to self-hosted n8n on Hetzner CX11 at $5/mo. We run hosting + monitoring + version pinning under retainer.

Hetzner$5/moHosted by us

AI agents

Coach · AI follow-up agent on n8n

AI agent monitors CRM for ghosted leads, drafts personalized follow-up, queues for founder review. Recovered 22 stalled deals in Q1.

Ghost recovery22 dealsAI agent

When this fits

Honest scope — and who shouldn't engage

n8n wins on cost and capability above 5k executions/mo. Below that, simpler tools usually win.

✓ Engage when

Over 5,000 executions/month
Where the cost gap vs Zapier/Make becomes meaningful.
You need custom code
Full Node.js + Python in-flow, no Code-by-Zapier ceiling.
You are building real AI agents
Native LangChain, agent nodes, RAG, vector stores — best-in-class for production AI.
You want full data sovereignty
Self-hosted means your data never leaves your infrastructure.

✗ Don't engage when

Under 5,000 executions/month
Make or Zapier wins on speed-to-deploy. Migrate later when volume justifies.
You hate operational footprint
Even managed-by-us, n8n requires more attention than Zapier. Use Make if you want zero ops.
You need 8,000+ native app connectors
n8n has fewer pre-built connectors than Zapier. Most apps work via HTTP, but it adds setup time.

Pricing depends on scope

Every n8n build is a different shape.

We don't quote off a feature checklist — we quote off your stack, your bottleneck, and the build phases that actually move revenue. The audit is the front door: free, 7-day costed roadmap, vendor-neutral.

Book the free audit→See full pricing

FAQ

Questions before we start

Should I migrate from Zapier or Make to n8n?+

Migrate if (1) you are spending $200+/mo on Zapier/Make tasks, (2) you need custom code or branching that hits the ceiling, (3) you want native AI agent capabilities. Stay on Zapier/Make if (1) you have under 5k executions/mo, (2) you value speed-to-deploy over cost, (3) you do not want any operational footprint.

Self-hosted or n8n Cloud?+

Self-hosted on Hetzner is roughly $5–50/mo depending on volume — the cheapest option. n8n Cloud at $20–$60/mo is fine for teams who do not want any ops surface. We default to self-hosted unless you say otherwise.

Will my workflows really run reliably?+

When built right — yes. Our standard pattern: branch-and-merge instead of linear flows, error workflows for every critical path, retry-with-backoff on flaky APIs, alerting on failure threshold. Most clients see 99.5%+ uptime within 30 days of going live.

How does n8n handle AI?+

Better than any competitor right now. Native LangChain integration, agent nodes with shared memory, RAG with vector stores (Pinecone, Weaviate, Postgres pgvector), tool-use, and proper streaming. We build production AI agents on n8n constantly.

What does it cost?+

Full build $1,997+ (multi-workflow self-hosted with monitoring). Migration off Zapier/Make $1,497+ depending on workflow count. Retainer $797+/mo covers hosting, monitoring, and ongoing builds.

Keep exploring

Where n8n fits in the bigger picture

Most engagements layer 2–3 platforms with a service shape. These pages map the surrounding territory.

Ready when you are

Ready to scope your n8n build?

Book the free AI System Audit. We map your stack, find the leaks, and deliver a build roadmap in 7 days. Vendor-neutral.

Book the free audit→See pricing →