n8n hosting: self-host it, or use managed automation hosted in the EU

Why self-host n8n

Automations often move customer data, e-mails and API keys between services. On your own instance you decide where that data and the stored credentials live, and you are not limited by per-execution pricing of a cloud plan. If you process personal data, the server location and a data processing agreement belong in your privacy assessment. This is not legal advice.

Option 1: self-host n8n

Based on the official n8n hosting documentation, read on 6 November 2026.

What you actually need

• A small Linux VPS with Docker. n8n runs as a container (docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n); 2 GB RAM is a comfortable start, more if you run many or heavy workflows.
• Port 5678 behind a reverse proxy with HTTPS. Set N8N_HOST, N8N_PROTOCOL=https and WEBHOOK_URL so webhooks get the correct public address.
• Persist /home/node/.n8n and set N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY. The key encrypts stored credentials: lose it and saved credentials can no longer be decrypted.
• PostgreSQL for production. SQLite is the default; the docs recommend Postgres for heavier use.
• Licence: n8n uses the Sustainable Use License (fair-code). Internal business use is fine; check the terms before offering n8n to others as a service.
• Updates and backups are on you: database, encryption key and the data folder.

Step by step: Self-host n8n on a VPS.

Option 2: what we offer, honestly

Full disclosure: we sell hosting. Our one-click n8n cannot be ordered (n8n hosting: waitlist). What you can order today is Managed Automation: your own isolated instance hosted in Germany (EU), with daily database backups kept for 30 days. It runs on Activepieces, an open-source workflow tool, not n8n. Activepieces cannot import n8n workflows; you rebuild them by hand. Access details arrive by e-mail; we publish no provisioning time. Alternatively, run n8n yourself on one of our KVM VPS.

This app runs in the EU region (Germany) of the overnight.host network. Our VPS, game server, voice and web plans run in the US (Dallas, TX and Charlotte, NC), with more regions planned.

Migrate from n8n to Activepieces → Want n8n itself? n8n hosting: waitlist, or self-host it on a VPS Basic (2 vCPU / 2 GB RAM).

Related guides

• Self-host n8n on a VPS
• n8n alternative under the GDPR
• Hosting Activepieces
• Zapier alternative (GDPR)