HELPER VPS

n8n VPS hosting: workflow automation on your own server

  • Installed with two commands on the Docker image
  • No limit on workflow executions
  • Workflow data stored on your own server

The HELPER VPS n8n VPS is a self-hosted setup where you run the official n8n Docker image on a Linux cloud server created with the Docker app image, billed every 1, 3, 6 or 12 months from $25.00 per month. Choose Docker from the image list at creation, connect, run just two commands, and the n8n editor opens.

    What is n8n?

    n8n is a workflow automation tool that automates work by linking apps and services as nodes. Drag nodes onto the canvas and connect them, and add your own JavaScript or Python code where needed. With hundreds of integration nodes plus HTTP request and webhook nodes, it exchanges data with almost any service that has an API.

    n8n is source-available fair-code software, and under the Sustainable Use License you can install it yourself and use it free for your own work and internal company use. Self-hosted n8n does not count workflow executions, and all credentials and execution data are stored on your own server. You can also build automations with language models using the AI agent node.

    What can I do with an n8n VPS?

    Turn repetitive work into self-hosted n8n workflows and let the server handle it for you.

    How do I start with an n8n VPS?

    Create a server with the Docker image, run the commands and you are ready.

    1. Step 1. Create a server with the Docker image

      Choose a region and size and select the Docker app from the image list. Docker Engine and Docker Compose are installed on Ubuntu 24.04.

    2. Step 2. Connect over SSH

      Connect to the server IP with your SSH key or root password. Check that Docker is ready with docker version.

    3. Step 3. Run n8n

      Start the n8n container with the install commands below, then open the address with your domain and HTTPS and create an admin account.

    How do I install n8n?

    Run the commands below on a server created with the Docker app image. Data is stored in the n8n_data volume, so it stays even when you switch the container to a new version. For production, connect a domain and add HTTPS with a reverse proxy such as Nginx or Caddy.

    Terminal
    docker volume create n8n_data
docker run -d --restart unless-stopped --name n8n -p 5678:5678 -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n

    Why self-host n8n on your own VPS?

    Even as your workflows grow, the price stays one server plan.

    Tools often used with n8n

    Tools you can connect with n8n nodes or run on the same server.

    Place your server close to your users

    Create n8n servers at the same price anywhere in 40 cities across 31 countries.

    How do I run n8n with a domain and HTTPS?

    For webhooks to come in from outside, you need a public address and HTTPS.

    Point your domain's A record to the server IP and use Nginx or Caddy as a reverse proxy to forward requests on port 443 to n8n on port 5678. Caddy gets a Let's Encrypt certificate automatically once you enter the domain, and with Nginx you get the certificate through Certbot. The n8n editor uses live connections, so configure the proxy to pass WebSocket connections as well.

    Give the n8n container these environment variables: your domain in N8N_HOST, https in N8N_PROTOCOL, and the full address starting with https in WEBHOOK_URL. That way the address shown by webhook nodes uses your public domain and outside services call it correctly. Once HTTPS is in place, keep port 5678 closed to the outside and allow access only through the proxy for extra safety.

    What size suits an n8n VPS, and how do I update it?

    Choose by the number of workflows and the amount of data handled at once.

    For a few personal automations, the smallest 12 GB general plan is enough to start. For several users or frequent webhooks, the 16 GB high-performance plan gives you room, and if you handle large files or many rows at once, or run AI agents, PostgreSQL and Redis together, the 32 GB high-performance plan is more comfortable. The default database is SQLite, and we recommend switching to PostgreSQL as executions grow.

    To update, pull the new image with docker pull docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n, remove the old container with docker stop n8n and docker rm n8n, and run the same docker run command again. Data lives in the n8n_data volume, so it carries over as is. Before a major version upgrade, read n8n's official release notes, and turning on automatic backups at creation gives you peace of mind.

    n8n hosting FAQ

    Common questions when choosing and installing a n8n VPS.

    Does an n8n VPS come with n8n preinstalled?

    You install n8n yourself after creating the server with the Docker app image. Choose Docker as the image and Docker is ready, so two install commands start the official n8n container right away.

    How much does n8n hosting cost?

    There is no extra charge for using n8n; you pay only the price of the server plan you choose. The smallest plan starts at $25.00 per month, and for n8n we recommend a plan with 12 GB memory or more.

    How do I buy an n8n server?

    Choose a plan, region and system, select Docker as the image, then pay. The secure PayGate checkout opens, and your server is created after payment confirmation.

    Is self-hosted n8n free?

    Yes. Under the Sustainable Use License, the n8n community edition is free for your own work and internal company use. Some enterprise features require a separate license from n8n.

    Is there a limit on workflow executions?

    Self-hosted n8n does not count executions. How much you can process depends on the server's CPU and memory, so move to a bigger plan as executions grow.

    What do webhooks need to work?

    A public domain and HTTPS. Point the domain to the server IP, add a certificate with a reverse proxy, and put the https address in the WEBHOOK_URL environment variable, and webhook nodes will show that address.

    What do I do on first login?

    Open the n8n address in your browser and you see a page to create the admin account. Set an email and password and you go straight to the workflow editor.

    Can I use PostgreSQL as the database?

    Yes. The default is SQLite; set DB_TYPE=postgresdb and the connection details as environment variables to use PostgreSQL. Running n8n and PostgreSQL together with Docker Compose makes management easy.

    Can I use the send email node in n8n?

    Yes. Add an account from a mail sending service that uses port 587 to the Send Email node. Outgoing port 25 is closed on every server, so using a sending service is the standard way.

    How do I update n8n?

    Pull the new image with docker pull, remove the old container and start it again with the same docker run command. Data stays in the n8n_data volume, so your workflows and credentials carry over as is.

    How do I back up n8n data?

    Choosing the automatic backup option at creation adds 5.6% of the plan price to the fee and backs up the whole server regularly. Rollbacks are requested on the support page, and it is good practice to export workflows from n8n as JSON and keep them separately.

    n8n is source-available (fair-code) software owned by the n8n project under the Sustainable Use License, and Docker is open source software owned by its project. Installation and updates, workflow settings and questions about using n8n are yours to manage. The server price is the price of the plan you choose, and there is no extra charge for using n8n.

    n8n server guides

    Good things to do first after you get your server.