n8n: Self-Hosted Workflow Automation Platform
n8n is a powerful open-source workflow automation tool with 174,000+ GitHub stars. Learn why self-hosting n8n on your own VPS gives you full control over your automation pipelines.
n8n: Self-Hosted Workflow Automation
n8n is a fair-code workflow automation platform that lets you connect apps and automate tasks without writing code. With over 174,000 GitHub stars, it has become the leading open-source alternative to Zapier and Make. n8n supports 400+ integrations and allows you to build complex multi-step workflows through a visual node-based editor.
Unlike cloud-only automation tools, self-hosting n8n means your workflow data, API credentials, and business logic never leave your infrastructure.
Key Features
- Visual workflow editor with a drag-and-drop canvas for building automations
- 400+ built-in integrations including databases, APIs, SaaS tools, and AI services
- Custom code nodes supporting JavaScript and Python for advanced logic
- Webhook triggers for real-time event-driven workflows
- Error handling with retry logic, fallback branches, and execution logs
- Built-in credential encryption for safely storing API keys and tokens
- Sub-workflows for reusable modular automation components
- AI agent capabilities with native LLM integration for intelligent workflows
Why Self-Host n8n?
Privacy and data sovereignty. When you self-host n8n, every piece of data flowing through your workflows stays on your server. This is critical for businesses handling customer data, financial records, or health information. You eliminate the risk of a third-party cloud service accessing or leaking sensitive automation data.
No execution limits. Cloud automation platforms impose execution caps, throttle webhook response times, and charge per task. Self-hosted n8n has no artificial limits — run as many workflows as your VPS can handle. For teams running thousands of daily automations, this alone can save hundreds of dollars per month.
Full customization and control. Self-hosting lets you install custom npm packages, connect to private network services, and modify n8n's behavior to fit your infrastructure. You control the update schedule, backup strategy, and security policies without depending on a vendor's roadmap.
Cost predictability. Instead of per-execution pricing that scales unpredictably, a self-hosted n8n instance runs on a fixed-cost VPS. A $10/month server can handle workloads that would cost $100+ on cloud automation platforms.
System Requirements
| Resource | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 1 vCPU | 2+ vCPUs |
| RAM | 1 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 10 GB SSD | 20 GB SSD |
| OS | Ubuntu 22.04+ | Ubuntu 24.04 |
n8n is lightweight at idle but CPU and memory usage scales with workflow complexity and concurrency. For production use with multiple active workflows, 2 vCPUs and 4 GB RAM provides comfortable headroom.
Getting Started
The fastest way to deploy n8n on your VPS is with Docker Compose through Dokploy. Our step-by-step deployment guide walks you through the full setup, including persistent storage, environment configuration, and SSL.
Alternatives
- Activepieces — Open-source automation platform with a modern UI and growing integration library
- Automatisch — Open-source Zapier alternative focused on simplicity and business workflows
- Huginn — Ruby-based agent system for building programmable automation pipelines
- Node-RED — Flow-based programming tool for IoT and event-driven automation
FAQ
Is n8n truly free to self-host? Yes. n8n uses a "fair-code" license (Sustainable Use License) that allows free self-hosting for internal business use. You can run it on your own VPS without paying license fees. The paid cloud version adds team features and managed hosting.
Can n8n replace Zapier for my business? For most use cases, yes. n8n covers the same core functionality — connecting apps and automating workflows. It supports more complex branching logic and custom code than Zapier, though some niche integrations may require building custom nodes.
How do I back up my n8n workflows?
n8n stores workflows in a database (SQLite by default, PostgreSQL recommended for production). Back up the database file or use n8n export:workflow --all to export workflows as JSON. With Dokploy, your data volumes persist across redeployments.
What happens when n8n updates? Self-hosted n8n updates are manual — you choose when to pull the latest Docker image. This gives you time to test new versions in staging before updating production. Pin your Docker image to a specific version tag for stability.
Recommended VPS Providers
Looking for the best VPS to run n8n? Read our Best VPS for n8n guide — we compare top providers for performance, pricing, and reliability.
App data sourced from selfh.st open-source directory.
Ready to get started?
Get the best VPS hosting deal today. Hostinger offers 4GB RAM VPS starting at just $4.99/mo.
Get Hostinger VPS — $4.99/mo// up to 75% off + free domain included
// related topics
fordnox
Expert VPS reviews and hosting guides. We test every provider we recommend.
// last updated: February 12, 2026. Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links.