One of the most common questions we hear from clients is: “We already use an iPaaS, why would we need n8n?” It’s a fair question. Both are integration platforms, but they solve different problems. Choosing the right tool for the right job can save time, money, and frustration. In this guid, you find out when to use n8n vs enterprise iPaaS, and why.
The challenge: over-engineering vs. under-engineering
- Large organisations with iPaaS
Enterprise iPaaS platforms are fantastic for large, complex, and mission-critical integrations. But they can feel too heavy for smaller departmental workflows. A marketing manager shouldn’t need a full integration project just to sync webinar attendees to HubSpot. - SMBs without iPaaS
Many smaller companies don’t need enterprise-grade integration at all. They just need a cost-effective way to connect their SaaS tools without endless manual work.
This is where n8n shines.
The pragmatic answer
- Use an Enterprise iPaaS when:
- You’re integrating across multiple business units.
- You need strict governance, compliance, and enterprise security.
- The workflows are business-critical (think: order-to-cash, supply chain).
- Use n8n when:
- You need to move fast with a departmental or team-specific workflow.
- The process is important but not mission-critical.
- You want a lightweight solution that brings ROI in weeks, not months.
Example: Sales lead flow
- With iPaaS
A full integration project connects CRM, ERP, and marketing systems across multiple business units. Secure, governed, robust. - With n8n
In 2 hours, we built a workflow for an SMB that captures website leads, enriches them with LinkedIn data, and pushes them into HubSpot while notifying sales in Slack.
Both solutions are valuable, the key is matching the tool to the business need.
Our recommendation on n8n vs enterprise iPaaS
At Dots & Arrows, we don’t believe in “one tool to rule them all”. Instead, we guide clients in building a hybrid automation strategy:
- Enterprise iPaaS for scale and complexity.
- n8n for speed and agility.
This hybrid approach ensures every process finds its right place. No over-engineering, no under-delivery.
Curious where n8n could help your business move faster? We’re happy to explore with you!
