n8n

Application512MB+ RAM

Workflow automation platform - self-hosted Zapier alternative

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automationworkflowzapier-alternativeintegrations

Deploy n8n in 3 Steps

Connect Your VPS

Add your server credentials to Server Compass

Select n8n

Choose from our template library

Deploy & Configure

Fill in settings and click Deploy

No Docker knowledge required

Video Tutorials

Learn How to Deploy n8n

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How to Self Host n8n on Your VPS

Learn how to self-host n8n, an open-source workflow automation platform (Zapier alternative), on your own VPS using Server Compass.

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Terminal Deployment

n8n CLI Deployment

Deploy n8n the traditional way with SSH and Docker Compose.

Start a Secure Shell Session

Open your terminal and connect to your server. Replace the IP address with your VPS IP.

terminal

# SSH into your server
ssh root@your-server-ip

# Using a custom SSH key
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa root@your-server-ip

First time? Need Docker? Install it: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh

Prepare Your Workspace

Set up a clean directory for your application.

terminal

# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/n8n
cd ~/apps/n8n

Set Up Container Configuration

Set up the container stack using this Docker Compose configuration:

docker-compose.yml

services:
  n8n:
    image: docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    environment:
      - GENERIC_TIMEZONE=UTC
      - TZ=UTC
      - N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY=<your-n8n-encryption-key>
      - N8N_ENFORCE_SETTINGS_FILE_PERMISSIONS=true
      - N8N_RUNNERS_ENABLED=true
      - N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false
    volumes:
      - n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  n8n_data:

Deployment Settings

PORTHost port to expose(default: 5678)

TIMEZONEServer timezone(default: UTC)

N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEYEncryption key for credentials

Bring Up the Application

Launch your application stack in the background.

terminal

# Start the containers in detached mode
docker compose up -d

# Check if containers are running
docker compose ps

# View logs
docker compose logs -f

Configure Firewall

Configure your firewall to permit external connections.

terminal

# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 5678/tcp
sudo ufw reload

# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:5678

Skip the Terminal

Prefer a visual interface? Use Server Compass.

Server Compass makes deploying n8n effortless. Visual setup, one-click deploy, done.

Visual configuration UI
One-click deployment
Automatic SSL setup
Zero-downtime updates
Built-in monitoring
One-click rollbacks

Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license

After Deployment

After deploying n8n with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup

Create your owner account

Set up your first workflow

Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.

n8n FAQ

Common questions about self-hosting n8n

How do I deploy n8n with Server Compass?

Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select n8n from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.

What are the system requirements for n8n?

n8n requires a minimum of 512MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 1024MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.

Can I migrate my existing n8n data?

Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard n8n backup and restore procedures.

How do I update n8n to the latest version?

Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest n8n image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.

Is n8n free to self-host?

n8n is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.