Self-hosting n8n#
All self-hosted installations use the same core product. Without a license key, n8n runs as the free Community edition. Adding a Business or Enterprise license key enables those editions.
Choose your installation method#
Select the installation method that best fits your technical requirements and infrastructure:
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npm
Best for: Local development, testing, or simple single-server deployments.
Requirements: Node.js installed on your system.
Installs n8n directly using Node Package Manager. Quick to set up but requires managing Node.js versions and dependencies yourself.
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Docker
Best for: Isolated environments, easy updates, and consistent deployments.
Requirements: Docker installed on your system.
Runs n8n in a container with all dependencies included. Simplifies installation and updates.
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AWS
Deploy on Amazon Web Services using EC2, ECS, or other AWS services.
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Azure
Host n8n on Microsoft Azure with container instances or virtual machines.
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Google Cloud
Run n8n on Google Cloud using Cloud Run or Kubernetes Engine.
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DigitalOcean
Simple droplet-based hosting ideal for small to medium deployments.
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Hetzner
Cost-effective European hosting option with excellent performance.
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Heroku
Platform-as-a-service option for quick deployment with minimal configuration.
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OpenShift
Enterprise Kubernetes platform for containerized applications.
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Docker Compose
Multi-container setup ideal for production deployments with databases and additional services.