In a world rapidly embracing voice assistants and smart devices, being able to build your own voice-based AI system is no longer just for developers. With n8n — a powerful, open-source workflow automation tool — you can create a fully functional n8n voice agent that listens, processes commands, and responds—all without requiring deep technical knowledge. This guide will walk you through setting up a voice-based AI agent using n8n and other accessible tools.
Whether you're looking to build a smart assistant for home automation, a customer service voice bot, or a productivity booster, this tutorial is for you.
Why Build a Voice Agent with n8n?
Open-Source & Flexible
Unlike proprietary tools such as Zapier or Make.com, n8n offers a self-hosted and highly customizable ecosystem, making it perfect for advanced automations like voice agents.
AI-Ready Integrations
n8n can easily integrate with OpenAI, Whisper (speech-to-text), and ElevenLabs or Google TTS (text-to-speech), allowing you to create a fully interactive voice-enabled workflow.
Cost-Efficient
By self-hosting and using available APIs strategically, you can run your n8n voice agent almost for free. Check out How to Use n8n Without Paying a Dime for tips.
Prerequisites to Get Started
Before setting up your n8n voice agent, make sure the following are ready:
- A running instance of n8n (self-hosted or cloud)
- Basic understanding of n8n workflows (nodes, triggers, etc.)
- OpenAI API Key (for GPT & Whisper)
- ElevenLabs API Key or alternative TTS service
- A browser or device with audio capabilities
You can install n8n on Windows or other environments like Docker, macOS, or Raspberry Pi if you're running this locally.
Step-by-Step: Building the n8n Voice Agent
Let’s break down the core components of how our voice-based agent will work in n8n.
Step 1: Capture User Voice Input
Since n8n doesn't natively handle microphone input, we need a simple frontend—either a basic HTML/JavaScript page where the user records audio and sends it to n8n via an HTTP Request node.
Sample Frontend Snippet (Audio Recorder UI):
<input type="file" accept="audio/*" id="audioInput" />
<button onclick="sendAudio()">Send to n8n</button>
The JavaScript then sends the file to your Webhook node in n8n using fetch() or axios.
Step 2: Convert Speech to Text Using Whisper
Once the audio file reaches n8n via a Webhook node, use the HTTP Request node to send it to OpenAI’s Whisper API.
Node setup:
- Method: POST
- URL:
https://api.openai.com/v1/audio/transcriptions - Headers:
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
- Body (Form-data):
- Add audio file field (
file) - Add
model: whisper-1
- Add audio file field (
Once executed, Whisper returns the decoded transcription.
Step 3: Process the Text with GPT
Now feed the transcribed text into a GPT prompt using OpenAI's gpt-3.5-turbo or gpt-4 model.
- Use another HTTP Request node
- Set input like:
{ "model": "gpt-4", "messages": [ {"role": "system", "content": "You are a helpful assistant."}, {"role": "user", "content": "{{ $json.transcribedText }}"} ] }
You receive a text reply, ready to be spoken back.
Step 4: Convert Text Response to Speech
Now we’ll synthesize the response into audio using a text-to-speech API like ElevenLabs.
TTS Node Configuration:
- Method: POST
- URL:
https://api.elevenlabs.io/v1/text-to-speech/VOICE_ID - Headers:
xi-api-key: YOUR_ELEVENLABS_API_KEYContent-Type: application/json
- Body:
{ "text": "{{ $json.gptResponse }}", "voice_settings": { "stability": 0.75, "similarity_boost": 0.75 } }
You’ll receive an MP3 or audio blob in response, which can be sent back to the frontend agent.
Optional: Add Context or Memory
Want your voice agent to recall things from earlier in the day? You can use the n8n Code node or a database integration (MySQL, Postgres, or Google Sheets) to retain and pass along memory in conversations.
To deepen your understanding, see how conversational agents in n8n use memory for smarter interactions.
Real-Life Use Cases
Not sure how your n8n voice agent could be applied? Here are a few examples:
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Voice Memo to To-Do | Speak a task, n8n logs it into Notion or Google Tasks |
| Home Automation | Say "Turn off lights", it triggers a smart home API |
| Customer Helpdesk Bot | Reply to common customer queries using your knowledge base |
| Language Learning | Speak a sentence, get corrections or translations |
| Calendar Assistant | Say “Remind me for a meeting at 3PM”, and it logs in Google Calendar |
Hosting and Access Control Tips
- For public use, secure your
Webhookendpoint to avoid abuse. - Limit daily API usage if you're on freemium plans.
- Use cron nodes to cycle logs, rotate memory, or refresh tokens.
- Consider pairing this voice agent with a front-end chat/voice UI for seamless interaction.
Where to Go Next?
If you've built this, you're not far from assembling full AI automations. You can extend your n8n voice agent by integrating it with CrewAI vs n8n: Building Agents That Actually Work for multi-agent precision and planning workflows.
Want to try more nodes and capabilities? You can unlock extra tools by installing community packages in n8n.
Use this n8n link to get started for free and begin building your voice agent within minutes.
FAQ
What is a voice agent in n8n?
A voice agent in n8n is a workflow that can accept voice input, convert it into text, respond using AI (like GPT), and convert the response back into speech. It allows smart, conversational automation.
Can I build a voice agent with no coding experience?
Yes! n8n is a low-code platform. While setting up Webhooks and APIs may need some copy-pasting and configuration, there's no need to write complex programs.
Do I need to self-host n8n for this?
Self-hosting n8n gives you more flexibility and control, but you can also use the hosted version. Just note that audio file handling and custom webhook routes work better with self-hosted options.
Which APIs are required for a voice agent?
Typically, you'll need:
- Whisper API (speech to text)
- OpenAI ChatGPT API (text processing)
- Text-to-Speech API like ElevenLabs (text to speech)
Is this workflow suitable for production use?
Yes, but ensure robust error handling, logging, and token management. You might also want to add fallback responses and security features for external access.
With just a few nodes in n8n, you're now able to listen, understand, and reply—all through voice. Your DIY AI assistant is here, and it's powered by open-source automation. Ready to start? Start building on n8n today.