Run n8n for free (self-hosting for beginners)

Three ways to get n8n running without a monthly bill, from your laptop to a free server.

7 min read

Option 1: on your computer with Docker

Best for learning. Install Docker Desktop, then run these two commands. n8n opens at http://localhost:5678 and your data is kept in the n8n_data volume.

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docker volume create n8n_data
docker run -it --rm --name n8n -p 5678:5678 -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n

Option 2: with Node.js (no Docker)

If you already have Node.js installed, this starts n8n directly:

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npx n8n

Receiving webhooks on your laptop

Apps like Stripe or Shopify can't reach localhost. A free Cloudflare quick tunnel gives your local n8n a public https address for testing:

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cloudflared tunnel --url http://localhost:5678

Option 3: a free or cheap cloud server

To keep flows running 24/7, run the same Docker command on a small cloud server. Some providers offer always-free tiers (for example Oracle Cloud or Google Cloud's smallest VM) — check their current terms, as free tiers change. Low-cost VPS providers are another option for a few dollars a month.

Put n8n behind HTTPS (a reverse proxy like Caddy makes this easy).
Set the WEBHOOK_URL environment variable to your public address.
Back up the n8n_data volume regularly.

A note on the license

n8n's Sustainable Use License lets you self-host it for free for your own or your company's internal use. Offering n8n itself as a paid service to others needs a commercial agreement with n8n. When in doubt, read the license on n8n's website.