You’re tired of jumping between apps all day. Copy-pasting data. Manually moving files. Setting endless reminders. You’ve heard about automation tools like Zapier and N8N, but here’s the brutal reality: cloud automation platforms bleed you dry with execution limits and monthly fees that skyrocket as your business grows.
N8N’s cloud starter plan costs $20/month with severe restrictions. Run just a handful of workflows daily and you’ll hit those limits by week two, forcing expensive upgrades. Meanwhile, there’s a setup most beginners never discover—one that gives you unlimited automations for less than your Netflix subscription.
Today, I’m walking you through the exact step-by-step process to set up your own N8N automation server on Hostinger in under 20 minutes. No technical knowledge required. No command lines. No Docker confusion. Just a powerful automation system that’s completely yours to control.
What Is N8N (And Why Every Small Business Needs It)
Let me paint you a picture. Imagine having a full marketing team that works 24/7, never takes breaks, and costs less than your monthly coffee budget. That’s essentially what N8N does.
N8N is an automation platform that connects all your business tools and makes them work together like a well-oiled machine. But here’s what makes it different from other automation tools:
It’s completely visual – You’re literally dragging and dropping boxes to build your automations. If you’ve ever used a flowchart, you can use N8N.
Zero coding required – I’m serious. You could be a complete tech beginner and still build professional-grade automations.
You own everything – Unlike subscription-based tools that hold your data hostage, N8N is open-source. Your automations, your rules, your data.
What if all of that happened automatically? What if you uploaded one product photo, and N8N automatically enhanced it, created multiple versions, generated marketing copy, scheduled posts, and even created short product videos?
That’s not science fiction. That’s what we’re building today.
The Setup Decision: Why Self-Hosting Is Your Secret Weapon
Before we dive into the build, let’s talk about your two options—and why one is significantly better for small businesses.
Cloud Hosting: The Trap Most Beginners Fall Into
If you go to n8n.io, you’ll see their official cloud plans:
Starter Plan: Looks affordable at first glance
Pro Plan: Better features but the price tag hurts
Here’s the problem nobody mentions: Those “execution limits” will destroy your budget once you start automating seriously.
Every single time your automation runs—whether it’s checking for new emails, posting to social media, or processing an image—that’s one execution. Running even a handful of automations throughout the day means you’ll hit those limits by week two.
Self-Hosting: The Game-Changer For Smart Businesses
Now, traditional self-hosting has its own problems. The usual route requires you to:
- Rent a server and configure it yourself
- Learn Docker commands (seriously technical stuff)
- Troubleshoot server issues when things break
- Handle security updates manually
Most small business owners take one look at those requirements and run back to expensive cloud plans.
But here’s the secret the big automation companies don’t want you to know: there’s a middle path that gives you the cost savings of self-hosting with zero technical headaches.
The Hostinger Shortcut: Your Complete Setup Guide
This is where everything changes. I’m going to show you exactly how to set up a professional N8N automation system in under 20 minutes—no technical knowledge required.
Why Hostinger Changes Everything
Let me break down the math for you:
N8N Cloud (Starter): ~$20/month with severe execution limits Hostinger VPS with N8N: As low as $4/month with UNLIMITED executions
You’re looking at saving $192+ per year while getting more power and flexibility. But the real value? You’re not playing by someone else’s rules.
Now, let’s get you set up.
Step 1: Navigate to Hostinger’s N8N Setup
Open your browser and go to hostinger.com/startn8n
You’ll land on a page showing VPS hosting plans. Don’t let the term “VPS” intimidate you—think of it as renting a powerful computer in the cloud that runs your automations 24/7.
Step 2: Select Your Perfect Plan
Here’s what you’re looking at:
KVM1 Plan: The absolute minimum, good for testing
KVM2 Plan: The sweet spot for small businesses (this is what I recommend)
KVM4/KVM8 Plans: For when you scale up and run dozens of complex automations
| Plan | Specifications | Best For | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVM 1 | 1 vCPU Core • 4 GB RAM • 50 GB NVMe Storage • 4 TB Bandwidth | ✅ Ideal for testing and beginners who just want to experiment with N8N or run a few light automations (like email alerts or simple social posts). | Check the KVM 1 PLAN |
| KVM 2 (Recommended) | 2 vCPU Cores • 8 GB RAM • 100 GB NVMe Storage • 8 TB Bandwidth | 🚀 Perfect for small businesses and creators running multiple automation workflows — handles image tasks, social scheduling, and AI integrations smoothly. | Check the KVM 2 PLAN |
| KVM 4 | 4 vCPU Cores • 16 GB RAM • 200 GB NVMe Storage • 16 TB Bandwidth | 💼 Best for growing teams or agencies managing several client automations, e-commerce integrations, and moderate AI workloads. | Check The KVM 4 PLAN |
| KVM 8 | 8 vCPU Cores • 32 GB RAM • 400 GB NVMe Storage • 32 TB Bandwidth | 🧠 Designed for power users, large businesses, or automation agencies running dozens of workflows simultaneously, handling heavy data processing and advanced AI automation. | Check The KVM 8 PLAN |
Click on the KVM2 plan – here’s why this is the smart choice:
It gives you:
- 2 CPU cores (enough for multiple simultaneous automations)
- 4GB RAM (handles image processing and AI tasks smoothly)
- 100GB storage (plenty of space for templates and cached data)
- Unlimited executions (this alone makes it worth it)
For just a few dollars more than KVM1, you’re doubling your resources. That means your automations run faster and you won’t need to upgrade as quickly.
Step 3: Choose Your Server Location Strategically
This is more important than most people realize. You’ll see a dropdown menu showing data center locations worldwide:
- United States (East Coast)
- United States (West Coast)
- Europe
- Asia
- And several others
Pick the location geographically closest to you. Here’s why: Every millisecond of latency matters when you’re processing images, calling AI APIs, and moving data between services.
If you’re in California, choose US West. In New York? US East. This single decision can make your automations 30-40% faster.
If you’re setting this up for a client or team member in another country, choose the location closest to them instead.
Step 4: Select the Right N8N Template
Here’s where Hostinger really shines. Scroll down to the “Select Operating System” section.
You’ll see “Application” is already selected, and in the search box, type: n8n
Three templates will appear:
1. N8N (Standard) This is the clean, basic installation. You get N8N ready to use, but you’re starting from scratch. Choose this if you already know what workflows you want to build and don’t need examples.
2. N8N + 100 Workflows ⭐ (THIS IS THE ONE) This is the goldmine for beginners and even experienced users. You get the same N8N installation, but it comes pre-loaded with 100 proven workflow templates created by the community.
Why this matters: Instead of staring at a blank canvas wondering “what do I build first?”, you can explore real-world examples:
- Email automation workflows
- Social media posting systems
- Image processing pipelines
- Data collection automations
- E-commerce integrations
You can use these templates as-is, or better yet, customize them for your specific needs. It’s like having 100 automation blueprints handed to you for free.
3. N8N Queue Mode This is for enterprise-level setups running hundreds of workflows simultaneously with team collaboration. Unless you’re managing a large operation, you won’t need this yet.
Select: N8N + 100 Workflows and click confirm.
Step 5: Create Your VPS Root Password
You’ll be prompted to set up a “root password” for your VPS. Let me clarify what this is and isn’t:
This is NOT your daily N8N login password This IS the master admin password for your virtual server
Think of it like this: Your VPS is like owning a building. The root password is the master key that opens the maintenance room and electrical panels. You need it for major changes, but you won’t use it day-to-day.
Create a strong password and save it in a password manager (I recommend 1Password or Bitwarden). Make it something like: MyN8N-2024-SecurePass!789
You’ll probably need this password maybe once or twice a year—if at all—but when you do need it, you’ll be glad it’s secure.
Click “Next” to continue.
Step 6: Add Security Protection (Optional But Recommended)
Hostinger will show you some additional features. The one worth considering is the Malware Scanner.
It’s usually free or very low cost, and here’s what it does: automatically scans your VPS for any suspicious activity or security threats. Since your N8N instance will be connecting to your business accounts (Gmail, Dropbox, social media), this extra layer of protection is smart.
Keep it checked and click “Finish Setup.”
Step 7: Wait for the Magic to Happen
Hostinger is now:
- Provisioning your VPS
- Installing the operating system
- Configuring N8N and all its dependencies
- Loading the 100 workflow templates
- Setting up security protocols
This typically takes 3-5 minutes. Grab a coffee. You’re about to have your own automation powerhouse.
Step 8: Access Your New N8N Instance
Once you see “Setup Complete,” click “Manage VPS”
You’ll see your VPS listed at the top of the dashboard. Find it and click “Manage App” to access your N8N installation directly.
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for.
While exploring automation tools, I also experimented with Lovable Dev 2.0 — and built a $20,000 website in just 43 minutes. Here’s how.
Your First Login: Creating Your Command Center
The first time you access your N8N instance, you’ll see a clean welcome screen asking you to create your owner account.
This is important: This is your actual N8N login—the one you’ll use every single day.
Fill out the form:
- Your Name: Use your real name or business name
- Email: Your primary business email
- Password: Create a strong password (different from your VPS root password)
Unlock Your Free License
Here’s something awesome: N8N will offer you a free lifetime license key that unlocks additional features.
All you need to do is provide your email address. The key will be sent instantly.
Why you should do this: The free license removes certain limitations and gives you access to premium templates and integrations. It costs nothing and takes 30 seconds.
Enter your email, click “Send me a free license key,” and you’re set.
You’re now officially inside your own N8N automation system.
Understanding Your Workflow Dashboard
Take a moment to look around. You’re seeing what professional automation engineers work with daily—except you set it up in under 20 minutes without touching a single line of code.
Because you chose the 100 Workflows template, your dashboard is filled with pre-built automation examples. This is your learning library and inspiration source.
How to Navigate Your Workflows
At the top, you’ll see sorting options:
- Last Updated: Shows recently modified workflows first
- Date Created: Chronological order
- Alphabetical: A-Z sorting
There’s also a search bar and filter button. You can search for specific terms like “Gmail,” “Instagram,” “Images,” or “AI” to find relevant workflows quickly.
The Real Value (Why This Matters)
Here’s what nobody tells you about automation: it’s not just about saving time—it’s about getting your brain back.
Every time you manually download an attachment, you’re making dozens of micro-decisions. Your brain is juggling tasks, switching contexts, losing focus on what actually matters.
Automation doesn’t just save you 3 hours daily. It gives you 3 hours of mental clarity. That’s where the real value lives.