Deploy and Host self hosted N8N Docker (Gumloop and Make.com open-source alternative) on Railway

n8n.io is an open-source workflow automation tool available on n8n GitHub, making it easy to connect apps, APIs, and even coding AI into powerful automations. With a simple setup and options like n8n download, you can design complex n8n workflows without heavy coding. Built for developers and teams, n8n gives you full control and flexibility.

About Hosting n8n open-source software on Railway (self hosted n8n template)

The core platform is free under a fair-code n8n license, giving you the flexibility to build without vendor lock-in. Hosting n8n on Railway makes it simple to deploy and run your own instance in minutes, so you get the full power of automation with complete control.

Why Deploy n8n, the Zapier alternative on Railway (Railway Free Trial)

Instead of being tied to fixed n8n cloud pricing, you can run your own instance with full control. On Railway, the n8n self hosting cost stays transparent, you only pay for what you use, and the base software is always n8n free. Plus, Railway gives every new user a $5 free trial when signing up with GitHub, making it easy to test and run n8n for about a month under normal usage before committing.

Railway vs Other Hosting Providers and VPS for n8n self hosting

Common Use Cases for hosted N8N

Here are common use cases for the open-source Lindy alternative:

• Automating repetitive tasks by building custom n8n workflows that connect apps like Slack, Gmail, and CRMs.
• Enhancing coding AI projects by triggering model runs, managing outputs, and connecting results to databases or dashboards.
• Streamlining business processes such as lead management, invoice generation, or customer notifications.
• Orchestrating multi-step automations that combine APIs, webhooks, and third-party apps into one powerful n8n workflow.

Dependencies for N8N Docker Compose hosted on Railway

When hosting n8n with Docker Compose on Railway, you’ll typically need a Postgres database to store workflows and user data. You can view our n8n with queues template here: N8N with workers

Deployment Dependencies for Managed N8N Service (OSS Automation workflow)

A managed n8n service on Railway only requires a Postgres database for persistence, with optional Redis for handling queues and scaling.

Implementation Details for N8N.io (Using n8n official docker image)

This template runs the official n8n Docker image with Railway’s managed Postgres.
Key envs include PORT=5678, DB_TYPE=postgresdb, Postgres connection variables, and WEBHOOK_URL for public access.
Proxy settings (N8N_PROXY_HOPS, N8N_EXPRESS_TRUST_PROXY) handle routing.

How does N8n compare against other Workflow automation platforms

N8N vs Make.com (Make alternative)

• Flexibility & Integrations: n8n supports hundreds of integrations, custom code, and the n8n API, while Make is limited to predefined actions.
• UX Trade-off: Make offers a smoother, beginner-friendly interface, whereas n8n’s UX is more technical but far more powerful once mastered.

N8N vs Zapier (Zapier Alternative)

• Openness & Control: n8n is open-source and can be self hosted for free, while Zapier is fully closed-source and SaaS-only.
• Flexibility: n8n allows custom code, API integrations, and advanced branching, whereas Zapier focuses on simplicity but offers less depth for complex automations.

N8N vs IFTTT (IFTTT Alternative)

• Data Ownership: With self hosted n8n, you control your data and integrations end-to-end, whereas IFTTT processes everything through its own cloud.
• Developer Focus: n8n is designed for teams and developers who need APIs, custom functions, and scaling, while IFTTT targets casual users with lightweight app connections.

N8N vs Gumloop (Gumloop Alternative)

• Scope of Automation: n8n is a full workflow automation platform with hundreds of integrations, while Gumloop is more focused on data scraping and lightweight automation tasks.
• Extensibility: n8n lets you add custom nodes, use the n8n API, and even embed coding AI into workflows; Gumloop is more limited to its built-in feature set.

N8N vs Lindy (Lindy Alternative)

• Automation Breadth: n8n covers a wide range of app integrations and workflow logic, while Lindy is more specialized as an AI assistant for meetings, tasks, and scheduling.
• Customization: With n8n, you can build complex, multi-step workflows and connect directly via APIs, while Lindy’s customization is limited to its AI-driven productivity features.

N8N vs Pabbly Connect (Pabbly Connect Alternative)

• Hosting & Control: n8n is open-source and supports full self hosting, while Pabbly Connect is SaaS-only with no option to run on your own infrastructure.
• Pricing Model: With n8n, you can keep costs low by self hosting, while Pabbly’s pricing is subscription-based and scales with task usage.

How to use N8N (the OSS AI Workflow automation platform)?

You can start building n8n workflows by connecting apps, APIs, and even coding AI, with full flexibility through the n8n open-source platform.

How to self host N8N on other VPS Services (n8n self hosting guide)

Clone the Repository

Download n8n from GitHub.

Install Dependencies

Navigate to the project folder and ensure your VPS has Docker (recommended) or Node.js (if running directly) installed.

Configure Environment Variables

Set up database credentials and environment variables such as:

• DB_TYPE
• DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST
• DB_POSTGRESDB_USER
• DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD
• DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE for your Postgres instance.

Start the n8n Application

Run docker-compose up -d (or npm run start if installed via Node.js) to start the n8n server, and expose port 5678 through your VPS firewall or reverse proxy.

Official Pricing of N8N Cloud service (n8n cloud pricing)

The official n8n cloud pricing is structured across different tiers to match team sizes and workflow needs:

• Starter, Pro and business – starting at €20/month (billed annually)
• Enterprise – Custom pricing For teams wanting more control over n8n pricing and n8n cost, self hosting remains free with the n8n open-source option. [Updated Oct ’25]

n8n cloud vs self hosted comparison (Pricing, features, usage, costs, and more)

n8n cloud offers convenience with managed hosting, predictable n8n pricing, and team features, while self hosted n8n gives full control, lower n8n cost, and flexibility to customize integrations. self hosting on Railway is often cheaper and more scalable.

Monthly cost of self hosting n8n on Railway

The n8n self hosting cost on Railway is usually around $5/month on the Hobby plan with normal usage. Since n8n Railway cost is based on server uptime and network usage, not workflow executions, it often stays far lower than official n8n cloud pricing. On heavier usage, my n8n cost has gone up to about $14/month but typically remains affordable.

System Requirements for Hosting n8n Docker on a VPS

n8n requires a server with at least 1 vCPU, 512MB–1GB RAM, and Postgres for persistence, with Docker or Node.js installed for deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is n8n self hosted?

n8n self hosted means running the open-source version of n8n on your own server (like Railway, VPS, or Docker) instead of paying for n8n Cloud. This gives you more control, flexibility, and lower costs.

How much does n8n self hosting cost on Railway?

The n8n self hosting cost on Railway is typically around $5/month with normal usage. On heavy usage, it can reach about $14/month, which is still far cheaper than official n8n cloud pricing.

Is n8n free to use?

Yes, n8n free is available under a fair-code n8n license. You can self host it at no software cost; you only pay for the infrastructure (like Railway or VPS).

Where can I download n8n?

You can get the latest n8n download from the official n8n GitHub repository or set it up directly using n8n Docker or n8n Docker Compose.

What are some alternatives to n8n?

Top n8n alternatives include Make.com alternatives like Zapier, IFTTT, Gumloop, Pabbly Connect, Lindy, Relay.app, Snaplogic, and others like Huginn, Flowise, and Langflow. Many of these can also be self hosted on Railway.