n8n’s value as an automation platform depends on its ability to connect to the tools your business runs on. Connecting n8n to your CRM, communication tools, project management tools, and data sources unlocks the automation possibilities that make it worth the setup investment.
Connecting to HubSpot
n8n’s native HubSpot node supports reading and writing contacts, companies, deals, tickets, and custom objects in HubSpot. Connect n8n to HubSpot using a private app API key configured in HubSpot’s settings. Once connected, you can build workflows that create or update CRM records based on external events, trigger actions in other tools when CRM data changes, and sync data between HubSpot and other systems automatically.
Connecting to Slack
n8n’s Slack node allows you to send messages to channels and users, create channels, upload files, and interact with the Slack API. Connect n8n to Slack using a Slack app OAuth token. Use the Slack node to build notification workflows that alert the right people in the right channels when important events happen across your business — new deals, support escalations, data anomalies, or workflow errors.
Connecting to External APIs
For tools without native n8n nodes, the HTTP Request node allows you to connect to any service with a REST or GraphQL API. This node supports all standard authentication methods including API keys, OAuth, and Bearer tokens. The HTTP Request node combined with n8n’s data transformation capabilities — JSON parsing, data mapping, conditional logic — makes it possible to integrate virtually any tool in your tech stack, not just those with pre-built n8n nodes.
Managing Credentials Securely
n8n’s credentials manager stores API keys, OAuth tokens, and other authentication credentials securely and makes them available to workflow nodes without exposing them in workflow configurations. Always use the credentials manager rather than hardcoding credentials in workflow nodes. Regularly audit your stored credentials to remove those that are no longer needed and rotate credentials that may have been compromised. Document your credential inventory in Notion to maintain visibility into what is connected and who owns each integration.
