Setting Up n8n – Different Methods Explained

Welcome! In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up n8n, the powerful open-source workflow automation tool that connects over 400+ services and enables powerful automation with a visual interface and AI features.

Whether you're a developer, business owner, or just want to automate repetitive tasks, this guide covers five different ways to get started with n8n—so you can pick the setup that works best for you.

Overview of Setup Methods

There are several ways to install and run n8n, each with its own strengths:

• Local Installation (npm) – Quick setup for testing on your own machine.
• Docker – Isolated, consistent environments for container users.
• Docker Compose – Ideal for production with data persistence and database support.
• n8n Cloud – Easiest option, fully managed with a free trial.
• Self-Hosting on AWS (EC2 or Lightsail) – Best for scalable, production-grade deployments.

Let’s dive into each one step-by-step.

1. Local Installation Using npm

Great for development or quick testing.

Steps:

1. Install Node.js (version 18+): Download it from nodejs.org.

2. Install n8n globally:

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   npm install n8n -g
   

3. Start n8n:

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   n8n start
   

4. Access the interface: Open http://localhost:5678

Optional: Enable webhooks (for development)

n8n start --tunnel

⚠️ Not recommended for production due to lack of persistence.

2. Running n8n with Docker

Ideal for a clean, isolated containerized setup.

Steps:

1. Install Docker from docker.com.

2. Create a Docker volume:

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   docker volume create n8n_data
   

3. Run the n8n container:

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

4. Access n8n: Open http://localhost:5678

Your workflows persist thanks to the volume.

3. Running n8n with Docker Compose

Perfect for production use, with persistent data and more flexibility.

Prerequisites:

• Docker
• Docker Compose

Example docker-compose.yml:

version: '3'
services:
  n8n:
    image: docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n
    ports:
      - 5678:5678
    volumes:
      - n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n
    environment:
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=your_secure_password
volumes:
  n8n_data:

Commands:

1. Save the file as docker-compose.yml.

2. Run the container in the background:

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   docker-compose up -d
   

3. Open http://localhost:5678

You can secure it with basic auth, and extend it with databases like PostgreSQL. See n8n-hosting repo for more configs.

4. Using n8n Cloud

Zero setup, hosted by the creators of n8n (PAID).

Steps:

1. Go to n8n.io and sign up.
2. Choose a plan — free trial available.
3. Access your instance through the web interface.

⚡ Perfect for beginners or anyone avoiding infrastructure management. Slightly less customizable than self-hosting.

5. Self-Hosting on AWS (EC2 or Lightsail)

Best for full control and scalability.

Option A: Using AWS Lightsail

1. Log in to AWS Lightsail.

2. Click “Create Instance” and select Ubuntu.

3. Choose a plan (e.g., 1 GB RAM or more).

4. Set up SSH keys.

5. Connect to your instance via SSH.

6. Install Docker and Docker Compose:

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   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install -y docker.io docker-compose
   sudo systemctl enable --now docker
   

7. Follow the Docker Compose steps above to deploy n8n.

Option B: Using AWS EC2

1. Launch an EC2 instance with Ubuntu or Amazon Linux.
2. Open port 5678 in the Security Group.
3. SSH into the instance.
4. Install Docker + Docker Compose.
5. Use the same Docker Compose setup as above.

Advanced users can configure HTTPS using Nginx and secure with authentication. Here's a guide to Self hosting with EC2

Recap: Which Method Should You Choose?

| Method | Best For | | --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | | npm | Local development & testing | | Docker | Containerized environments | | Docker Compose | Production use with persistence | | n8n Cloud | Easiest option, no infrastructure required | | AWS (EC2/Lightsail) | Scalable, secure, production-grade deployments |

Final Thoughts

n8n’s flexibility makes it a fantastic choice for workflow automation, whether you're just experimenting or running complex integrations in production. No matter how you choose to deploy it, always ensure:

• Authentication is enabled
• HTTPS is configured for production