n8n Self-Host Requirements: What You Really Need to Run It
Learn the hardware, software, and operational costs of self-hosting n8n. Plus: why managed hosting might save you time and money.
Minimum System Requirements
n8n runs on modest hardware, but production deployments need more resources.
Bare Minimum (Development Only)
- 1-2 vCPU cores
- 2GB RAM (512MB-4GB for specific workloads)
- 4-20GB disk space
- Linux OS (or Docker on macOS/Windows)
- Node.js 16+
This works for testing or small personal workflows, but will struggle at scale.
Production-Ready Setup (Recommended)
- 4+ vCPU cores (8 preferred for 100+ workflows)
- 8GB+ RAM (16GB+ for heavy data processing)
- 50GB+ SSD storage (fast disk is critical)
- PostgreSQL database (SQLite cannot handle concurrent workflows)
- SSL certificate for HTTPS (required for security)
- Port 5678 exposed and publicly accessible
- Automated backups (daily minimum)
- Monitoring and alerting
The jump from minimum to production is steep. Most teams discover this after their first scaling crisis.
Software Stack
- OS: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS recommended (tested and stable)
- Container Runtime: Docker + Docker Compose (simplifies deployment)
- Database: PostgreSQL (production essential; SQLite loses data under load)
- Reverse Proxy: Nginx or Apache (handles SSL, load balancing)
- Monitoring: Prometheus, DataDog, or similar (catch issues before users do)
Each component requires setup, tuning, and ongoing maintenance.
Why Choose Opsily's Managed n8n Hosting?
Self-hosting looks cheap until you factor in your time.
No Operational Overhead
Opsily manages updates, backups, database tuning, and monitoring. You never wake up to a failed cron job or a security patch you missed. Your team focuses on building workflows, not running servers.
GDPR-Compliant by Default
Germany-based infrastructure with full EU compliance built in. Your data stays in the EU. No complexity, no certification work, no compliance surprises. Self-hosting forces you to solve this yourself.
Costs That Add Up Honestly
Self-hosting costs €5-7/mo for the server, but add 1-4 hours of setup and 1-2 hours/month of maintenance. Value your time at €50/hour? You're looking at €55-330/month in true cost. Opsily's managed plans start much lower when you do the real math.
Built for teams who need reliability
Your Path to n8n Automation
Opsily handles the infrastructure. You build the workflows.
Choose the n8n hosting tier that matches your workflow volume and team size. All plans include backups, SSL, updates, and GDPR compliance.
Opsily spins up your n8n instance with PostgreSQL, SSL, and monitoring pre-configured. No DevOps skills required.
n8n has 1,500+ pre-built integrations: Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, MongoDB, OpenAI, and more. Start building immediately.
Choose the n8n hosting tier that matches your workflow volume and team size. All plans include backups, SSL, updates, and GDPR compliance.
Opsily spins up your n8n instance with PostgreSQL, SSL, and monitoring pre-configured. No DevOps skills required.
n8n has 1,500+ pre-built integrations: Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, MongoDB, OpenAI, and more. Start building immediately.
Select Your Plan
Choose the n8n hosting tier that matches your workflow volume and team size. All plans include backups, SSL, updates, and GDPR compliance.
Deploy in Minutes
Opsily spins up your n8n instance with PostgreSQL, SSL, and monitoring pre-configured. No DevOps skills required.
Connect Integrations
n8n has 1,500+ pre-built integrations: Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, MongoDB, OpenAI, and more. Start building immediately.
Automate Your Work
Create workflows visually or drop into code. Trigger on webhooks, schedules, or events. No vendor lock-in: export your workflows as JSON anytime.
Opsily Handles the Rest
We monitor uptime, patch security holes, back up your data nightly, and renew your SSL certificate. You focus on workflows.
Every month you spend managing updates, backups, and database tuning
At €50/hour, that's €600-1,200/year in hidden DIY cost. On top of the €60-84/year server bill. Opsily's managed hosting often costs less than the real price of self-hosting.
Everything Included in Opsily n8n Hosting
Every plan comes with the operational tools you'd otherwise build yourself. No hidden tiers.
Trust & Compliance
Enterprise-grade security without the complexity.
GDPR Compliant
Germany-based infrastructure with full EU compliance. Your data stays in the EU, always.
Zero Vendor Lock-In
n8n workflows export as JSON. Switch hosting providers anytime. Your data is always yours.
Automated Security
Daily encrypted backups. Security patches applied automatically. Zero downtime updates.
24/7 Monitoring
Opsily monitors uptime, performance, and alerts. Issues are caught and resolved before they impact you.
Transparent, Predictable Pricing
All plans include automatic backups, SSL, updates, GDPR compliance, and 24/7 monitoring. Choose the plan that fits your workflow volume.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about n8n self-hosting, managed hosting, and costs.
n8n runs on modest hardware: 2GB RAM, 2 vCPU cores, and 20GB SSD storage is the practical minimum for small-scale workflows. However, this setup will bottleneck quickly. Production deployments recommend 4+ vCPUs, 8GB+ RAM, and 50GB+ SSD. The bigger constraint is the database: SQLite works for testing but fails under concurrent workflows; PostgreSQL is essential for production. You'll also need Docker, a reverse proxy like Nginx, SSL certificates, and automated backups. Most teams underestimate the gap between 'running' n8n and 'running it reliably in production.'
Stop managing servers. Start automating.
Opsily's managed n8n hosting takes the ops burden off your plate. Deploy in minutes, scale without stress.