How to Self-Host n8n on VPS – Step-by-Step Guide
30th Mar, 2026
Sasha Ray
How to Self-Host n8n on VPS (Step-by-Step)
Automation is the backbone of modern digital operations, and n8n has become one of the most powerful open-source workflow automation tools. If you want full control, data privacy, and scalability, learning how to self-host n8n on a VPS is the smartest move.
As an Information Technology company providing professional developers and automation solutions, we also help businesses Hire n8n developers and Hire n8n consultants to build secure, production-ready workflows.
Why Self-Host n8n on a VPS?
Self-hosting gives you freedom that cloud versions can’t match.
Key benefits include:
Full ownership of workflow data
Better performance on dedicated resources
Custom security configurations
Unlimited workflow executions
Cost savings at scale
If you run business-critical automations, self-hosting is the preferred choice.
Prerequisites Before You Start
Make sure you have the following ready:
A VPS (Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 recommended)
Root or sudo access
Domain name (optional but recommended)
Basic Linux command knowledge
SSH client (PuTTY or Terminal)
Step 1: Connect to Your VPS
Use SSH to log into your server:
bash
ssh root@your_vps_ip
Update the system packages:
bash
apt update && apt upgrade -y
Step 2: Install Docker and Docker Compose
n8n runs best inside Docker containers.
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
Install Docker Compose:
bash
apt install docker-compose -y
Verify installation:
bash
docker --version
docker-compose –version
Step 3: Create n8n Directory Structure
bash
mkdir n8n && cd n8n
Create a docker-compose.yml file:
yaml
version: "3"
services:
n8n:
image: n8nio/n8n
ports:
"5678:5678"
environment:
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=strongpassword
N8N_HOST=yourdomain.com
N8N_PROTOCOL=https
WEBHOOK_URL=https://yourdomain.com/
volumes:
./n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n
Step 4: Start n8n Service
Run the container:
bash
docker-compose up -d
Access n8n in your browser:
aruino
You now have a fully working self-hosted n8n instance.
Step 5: Secure with SSL (Recommended)
Use Nginx + Let’s Encrypt for HTTPS. SSL is critical for webhooks and integrations.
If you’re not confident with server security, it’s better to Hire n8n consultants who can configure SSL, firewalls, and backups correctly.
Step 6: Backup & Scale n8n
Best practices:
Schedule daily backups of /n8n_data
Use environment variables for secrets
Monitor CPU & RAM usage
Scale using Docker Swarm or Kubernetes
Professional teams often Hire n8n developers to handle scaling, performance tuning, and workflow optimization.
Why Work With Our n8n Experts?
We provide Information Technologies and experienced automation developers who specialize in:
Custom n8n workflow development
Secure VPS deployment
API integrations (CRM, ERP, SaaS tools)
Workflow optimization & maintenance
Looking to build or scale automation fast? Hire n8n developers or Hire n8n consultants from our expert team and get production-ready workflows without trial-and-error.
