I’m thinking about using n8n for my SaaS project’s backend. I’ve got a few things I’m wondering about:
Can n8n handle being the backend for a SaaS that connects to stuff like Gmail and WhatsApp?
What’s the best way to keep client login info safe? Each client has their own credentials for different services.
Has anyone used n8n for a multi-tenant SaaS? How do you deal with user stuff, storing credentials, and making it work for lots of users?
If you’ve done something like this or have any ideas about good ways to do it, I’d love to hear from you. Also, if you think there might be problems or other ways to do it, let me know.
Having worked on several SaaS projects, I can offer some perspective on using n8n as a backend. While n8n excels at workflow automation, it’s not inherently designed for full SaaS backend functionality. The credential management aspect is particularly tricky.
For secure handling of client credentials, you might want to consider implementing a dedicated credential vault service. This allows for more granular access controls and encryption. As for multi-tenancy, n8n doesn’t have built-in support, so you’d need to design your own isolation mechanisms.
Regarding integration with services like Gmail and WhatsApp, n8n can handle these connections, but you’ll need to carefully manage API quotas and implement robust error handling. In my experience, a hybrid approach often works best - using n8n for specific automation tasks while maintaining a separate, purpose-built backend for core SaaS functionality and user management.
I’ve been using n8n for a SaaS project for about a year now, and I can share some insights. While n8n is powerful for automation, it wasn’t designed as a full-fledged SaaS backend. We faced challenges with scalability and multi-tenancy.
For credential management, we ended up implementing a separate microservice to handle sensitive data. This allowed us to use more robust encryption and access controls than n8n provides out-of-the-box.
Connecting to services like Gmail and WhatsApp works well, but you’ll need to carefully manage API rate limits and implement proper error handling. We found that building custom nodes for some integrations gave us better control.
If you’re set on using n8n, consider it as part of a larger architecture rather than the entire backend. Pair it with a dedicated API layer and separate data stores for better security and scalability. Just be prepared for some custom development to make it all work smoothly.
hey there! i’ve used n8n for some smaller projects, but not for a full saas backend. it’s great for workflows but might struggle with lots of users. for credentials, maybe look into using a seperate secure storage solution?
connecting to gmail/whatsapp should work fine, just watch out for api limits. you might need to get creative with multi-tenancy tho. good luck with ur project!