Are you tired of paying for expensive automation tools like Zapier? Do you dream of building powerful workflows without a PhD in DevOps? I was in the same boat, and that's why I discovered n8n—a powerful, open-source workflow automation tool. In this article, I'll walk you through exactly how I got it running on my Hostinger KVM 2 VPS in less than 30 minutes, giving me full control over my data and workflows. Whether you're a solopreneur, developer, or just automation-curious, this guide will show you how to do it.
What is n8n and Why is it So Popular?
n8n (pronounced "node-n") is an open-source, self-hosted workflow automation tool. Unlike Zapier, where you pay per task, n8n gives you complete ownership and control. You can connect over 300 apps and services to build automations for tasks like:
Sending Slack alerts from Google Sheets
Posting to social media when new content is published
Scraping data from websites
Parsing emails and triggering webhooks
Why I Chose the Hostinger KVM 2 VPS Plan
For my n8n setup, I chose Hostinger's KVM 2 VPS plan. It offers a robust set of features that are more than enough for running multiple complex workflows:
2 vCPUs: Plenty of processing power for concurrent tasks.
8 GB RAM: Ensures smooth, lag-free performance.
100 GB NVMe Storage: Fast storage for all my workflows, logs, and backups.
8 TB Bandwidth: More than enough to handle high traffic and data transfer.
Option 1: The Super Easy Way - Use the Hostinger n8n Template
If you want the fastest, simplest installation, this is the route for you. Hostinger provides a pre-configured template that gets n8n running in minutes.
Log In: Access your Hostinger account and go to the VPS Dashboard.
Manage VPS: Click on Manage next to your KVM 2 VPS.
Change OS: Navigate to the Operating System menu.
Select n8n Template: Search for "n8n" and choose the Ubuntu 24.04 + n8n template.
Install: Confirm the installation (note that this will wipe any existing data on the server), set a secure root password, and click install.
Setup: After a few minutes, go back to the VPS dashboard, click Manage App, and you'll be redirected to the n8n setup screen in your browser.
Finalize: Set up your admin credentials, and you're done!
Option 2: The DIY Route - Manual Installation with Docker
If you're a tech-savvy user and want more control over your environment, you can manually install n8n using Docker.
Connect via SSH: Use a terminal or a tool like PuTTY to connect to your server.
Bash
ssh root@your-vps-ip
Install Docker: Update your packages and install Docker and Docker Compose.
Bash
apt update && apt install -y docker.io docker-compose
Create Docker Compose File: Use the nano text editor to create a docker-compose.yml file.
Bash
nano docker-compose.yml
Paste and Configure: Paste the following code into the file, but be sure to replace your_secure_password with a strong, unique password.
YAML
version: '3.1'
services:
n8n:
image: n8nio/n8n
restart: always
ports:
- 5678:5678
environment:
- N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
- N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
- N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=your_secure_password
volumes:
- ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n
Launch n8n: Run the Docker Compose file to launch n8n in the background.
Bash
docker-compose up -d
Access n8n: Open your browser and navigate to http://your-vps-ip:5678. Log in with the admin credentials you set in the docker-compose.yml file.
Pro Tips for Security and Performance
Enable HTTPS: Use a reverse proxy like Nginx and Let's Encrypt to secure your connection.
Backups: Regularly back up your n8n workflows and data to prevent loss.
Firewall: Avoid exposing port 5678 to the public internet. Use a firewall or VPN for added security.
Updates: Keep your n8n check here installation up-to-date to patch vulnerabilities and get new features.
Final Thoughts
Setting up n8n on a VPS once seemed like a daunting task, but with Hostinger's pre-built template or a simple Docker setup, it's incredibly easy. I now have my own powerful, private automation server running 24/7 without any monthly fees or limitations. If I can do it, so can you. Happy automating!