How to self-host n8n: Setup, architecture, and pricing guide (2026)

n8n is a versatile workflow automation platform that supports various integrations and uses a visual interface for creating automation processes, making it accessible for different teams within an organization. This guide explains how to self-host n8n on Northflank to gain greater control over data, improve scalability, and avoid vendor lock-in. By using Northflank, users can deploy n8n without the need for managing complex infrastructure like Kubernetes or Docker Compose manually, allowing for a swift deployment process using official container images and add-ons like PostgreSQL and Redis for data persistence and scalability. The guide details setting up a deployment service, configuring a PostgreSQL database for data storage, and incorporating Redis and worker deployments to handle increased workloads efficiently. Self-hosting n8n on Northflank can be more cost-effective compared to using n8n Cloud, with infrastructure costs starting from around $5–10 per month, depending on the scale of deployment. Northflank's platform abstracts the complexity of infrastructure management, providing a seamless deployment experience through one-click deployment options and template-based setups.