💡 Why did you write this post?
I’m inFirst in a series of tutorials on “Automating No-Code Tools”.In this article, a useful table lists the differences between the three automation tools (Zapier, Make, n8n), this article directly to the step-by-step teaching, how to self-deploy n8n through the most intuitive to use Zeabur, to get unlimited automation workflow, and receive free Enterprise Edition upgrades. (This article also contains a live video tutorial)
Why choose n8n and for whom?
n8n is aOpen Source Automation ToolsIt allows users to easily create and manage automated workflows through a visual interface and drag-and-drop nodes.
Like Make.com and Node-RED, n8n is based on the freedom of whiteboards as the foundation of workflow design. It also supports a lot of well-known third-party services and applications, such as Notion, Slack, Google Sheets, Discord, GitHub, and so on. Although there are fewer packaged apps than Zapier, it’s actually just a “one size fits all” service.Trouble authorizing account service for the first time“, but everything afterward is so smooth and money-saving.
In my personal experience, when I didn’t use n8n before, Zapier’s monthly subscription fee was 189 USD for 20,000 Tasks per month.I switched to self-deployed n8nIn addition to the fact that I can manage multiple related Zaps in one whiteboard, more importantly, my monthly subscription fee is only USD 5 for the deployment platform.Direct saving of NT$65,000 per year。
If you care about privacy, or if your business or individual has a large number of automation needs, you can also choose to set up n8n on your own server or NAS.1And you can have a ridiculous amount of money, yes.It’s just unlimited ♾️：
- Unlimited workflow executions
- Unlimited steps
- Unlimited shared projects
Comparison of Self-Provisioning n8n and Cloud SaaS Solutions
The n8n is available in two versions:
- Cloud Solutions: It’s official, you can start using it as soon as you sign up for an account, and the payment plan starts at 20 euros per month (with an automation quota, like any other automated SaaS service).
- Self-deployment: the official GitHub version (which I currently use and recommend)
| Cloud Solutions | self-deployment | |
| Fee | Yes, with a minimum of €20 per month. 2,500 workflow executions. |
Unlimited workflow operations; Just $5 per month for the Zeabur Developer Program. |
| Entry threshold | 低 | High, you need to deploy and maintain it by yourself. (Don’t worry, the following content will show you how to deploy it easily with one click) |
| Suitable for | I’m too lazy to self-deploy for low-volume automation needs, but I personally think it’s easier to set up directly with Zapier for low-volume needs. | Privacy-conscious and with a high demand for customized automation.The ability to have the most complete management authority |
The official documentation teaches you to self-deploy using Docker (or Synology NAS for that matter), but the process is a bit tricky.
This article is to show you how toThe most time- and money-saving way to deploy n8n on your own, with free Enterprise Edition upgrades! ✌️
Fun Fact Jr: Founder of n8n with a background in movie special effects?
n8n is founded by Jan Oberhauser, who is best known for his work on VFX special effects for Disney, such as the animated comedy Happy Feet Two.
Jan Oberhauser is often asked.What does n8n mean?
He said:
n8n is nodemation, pronounced n-eight-n.2。
- node- means it uses Node-View and it uses Node.js.
- -The word “mation” stands for “automation.”
- The logic of abbreviation is the way of “taking the first and middle numbers”, that is, the abbreviation method of i18n, l10n.
I don’t like how long the name is, and I can’t imagine writing something that long in the CLI every time.
That’s why I chose the n8n in the end. (From:n8n GitHub）
📌 How to deploy and install n8n using Zeabur?
ZeaburIt is a type of PaaS (Platform as a Service) that allows users to develop, run and manage applications on it.
Because the founderYuanlin LinFrom Taiwan, all Chinese service is no problem (their Discord community is also very Nice), can help us automate the application of open source project and application deployment, just need to click a few simple buttons can be easily completed, the price is reasonable.
No matter what programming language or development framework you want to use, or are you a programmer? Do you get a headache every time you see a GitHub file? Check out Zeabur to see if there’s anything you’re looking for.模版It supports WordPress, Ghost, Dify, Supabase, LobeChat, n8n, etc. (And now you can buy VPS hosting directly through Zeabur! (And now you can buy VPS hosting directly through Zeabur, super convenient!)
🔗 Sign up for Zeabur with my link and enjoy a free month of developer programs!
→ https://zeabur.com/?referralCode=Raymondhou0917
Remember to click Claim to sign up for a free one-month plan!In addition to the graphic below, I’ve also made an additional tutorial video that quickly walks you through deploying n8n with Zeabur.
Step 1: Register Zeabur for One-Click Deployment
After signing up for Zeabur, the n8n we want to deploy will need to choose the Developer Program, which is $150 per month. (Zeabur has the option to charge your credit card every month or preload your account;Register with my linkThe first month of the developer program is free and you can try the automation charm first.)
Deploying n8n requires a developer program
Zeabur supports the deployment of a wide range of templates
After upgrading to the Developer Program, you can go to your Dashboard to create a project and start deploying n8n:
- Location: Tokyo, Japan (Recommended)3
- Deploy from template: Enter n8n and click on the most deployed n8n option.
Usually it takes less than 10 seconds to complete the deployment, followed by domain binding and n8n account registration.
Step 2: Enter Domain, Customize Domain DNS
- Zeabur offers customized domains, or if you have your own domain, you can bind it via DNS.
- If you don’t have your own domain, you can just use Zeabur’s default one as below and enter the URL you want.
Give your n8n a Web site entrance.
⚠️ Step 3: Update n8n version
Next, please update the n8n version, the current Zeabur deployment will be 1.21.1 (very old), but n8n has been updated to more than 1.69.0 (Send an Inquiry to n8n Version), so please follow the steps below to update your n8n, in addition to updating the functionality of theRequires 1.66.0 or higher to unlock the free Enterprise upgrade.。
➡️ Operation Steps:
Suspend the service first.
Replace with the latest version of n8n
Click Restart to install the new version of n8n.
- First, at the bottom of the deployed n8n page in Zeabur, click theSuspension of Service」。
- Enter the version of n8n you want to update in the “1.21.1” field, e.g. if it is now “1.68.0”, please enter the same number directly.
- At the top of the page, click on “重啟“This will start the installation of the new version of n8n.
The updated version is always recommended to be upgraded only to the “new version”.Stabilized version」latest versionAs I write this article, the stable version is 1.68.0.
⚠️ Don’t try to jump the gun and make your automated workflow unstable instead.
Step 4: Register for a n8n account
After clicking the customized URL in “Step 2”, you can directly see a n8n registration screen, and after registration, you will officially enter the n8n interface!
When you see this screen, congratulations, your deployment is officially successful!🎁 Limited Time Benefit! n8n Unlock Enterprise Features for Free!
When you sign up for a login account, a reminder window will pop up to tell you that there is a “limited time offer” to upgrade to Enterprise Edition for free:
- Workflow history: You can restore and recover workflow versions from the last 24 hours.
- Advanced debugging function (Advanced debugging): In the editor, fix the wrong workflow and re-run it. (with more detailed instructions and options than before)
- 搜尋和標籤（Execution search and tagging）: Labeling and saving of enforcement records for better search and management.
Self-racked, we already had the outrageous benefit of unlimited workflows & execution, and now we can upgrade for free, which is awesome 👍
➡️ Pick up the steps:
Enter your e-mail address in the field.
Enter your serial number
- Enter your e-mail address directly into the field and copy the license key to your mailbox.
- Go back to the n8n interface and find the
Settings > Usage & Plan, enter your serial number here to unlock Enterprise features for free! (Remember to have upgraded to 1.66.0 or above) - A window will pop up in the bottom right corner to tell you thatLicense activated(Serial number enabled), congratulations on enjoying Enterprise Edition features and entering the world of n8n automation 🎉
As soon as I have the latest news, I will let our course group know.
n8nRelated Resources
- n8n Docs: see n8n version, deployment information, APIs
- n8n Workflow: Find Workflow Automation Templates written by others.
- n8n Integrations: Lists the applications that can be connected via n8n.
- NoTime NoCodeNo-Code Automated Workflow: Introduces a variety of No-Code automated workflows that enable everyone to create a smooth, automated workflow designed to increase everyone’s productivity, quickly achieve personal or business goals, and return valuable time and focus to themselves.
- n8n Chinese Tutorial｜Online documentation written by enthusiastic developers
What n8n applications do I currently have?
At the moment it requires instant updates, lots of daily automation, and I put it all on n8n, like:
- Automated AI Customer Service Response to Invitation to Cooperate Letters
- Subsequent automation of product purchase orders (data analytics, CRM build updates, inclusion of ConvertKit and subsequent e-newsletter marketing ……, etc.)
I expect to put the mature workflows into n8n every month, one by one, to automate the parts that can be automated, and let the tools do the familiar work by themselves, so that I can have more time and experience to explore new knowledge and enjoy more valuable tasks and activities.
So when I find new discoveries and applications, I share them with my community of course participants ⬇️
🆕 Continuously updated｜Zero-based Automation Starter Course
📍 My last class of 2024.Live Classes（It’s officially online, you can learn it now!Inside, there are resources that directly demonstrate, deconstruct & provide template samples for various automation applications, as well as a resource for mySelf-made “Automation Tools AI Assistant Teacher” Robot GPTsAs long as it is Zapier, Make, n8n questions can ask it, can solve more than 80% of your problems, but also directly provide json for you to copy and paste into the use of import.
Even our after-school community, I go there every day; if you run into automation difficulties, you can directly ask questions and exchange solutions together 👍🏼
Regardless of what kind of APPs you use in your daily life, or if you are a novice or have already started to step into automated applications, this class will let you see a different world.
Click here to watch the movie 🚀
Automation Tools Application Library (Continuously Updated)
My own automation tool, AI Assistant Teacher.
🚀 This is what you’ll learn when you join the “Automation Tools, A Complete Application Guide Teaching” course
- ✅ Understand the underlying logic of No-Code automation tools: how to choose which tasks, are suitable for automation?
- ✅ Choosing the right tool: Mastering the interface features and selection strategies of Zapier, Make, n8n & n8n Deployment Tutorials
- ✅ Mastering the operation and core functions of Zapier: a case study to deconstruct the interface, key functions and operating logic of the automation tool
- ✅ Build Your First Automation Workflow: Design Your Own Automation Process From Scratch
- ✅ Automation Use Case Deconstruction: Hands-on Live Build Automation Workflow from 0 to 1 and Integrate AI Applications
- ✅ Take an in-depth look at personal and business automation cases and join the after-school community to enjoy continually updated supplemental resources!
🤫 As is the old custom, this lesson is related to myOther CoursesI will also be able to join the after-school community to discuss with other students.Continuing supplemental instruction, the sooner you buy, the more benefits you’ll receive!
🙋🏼♂️ Tips from students who have taken the courseRating
- Thank you Ramon for using the entry point angle for the viewer who has been trying to step in andThere are more practical cases to refer to, especially after hearing that physical workshops may be organized in the future, with course contents and practical groups to catalyze our learning.We are able to automate our processes and make them truly our own!
- I can really feel that you are very attentive in the preparation, and the supplementary information is also very rich, very super value for money!Now, after finishing the class, I feel like watching Ramon’s demonstration of very powerful and dazzling magic, and I want to learn every move, but the biggest lesson is to think about what situations are suitable for me to use it.
- Being a total automation nerd before class doesn’t hinder the reception of new knowledge.Although I hadn’t touched Zapier or n8n before the course, the content was really good! Lots of life-like applications, push push push.In the past, when I was interested in this kind of new information, I would think “the process should be complicated” and just give up on receiving new information. After listening to it today, I think I can give it a try, but I’m not sure.The most rewarding part is to start to see “what processes have the opportunity to be automated”!。
Thank you to these students for sharing and recommending the class. Together, we can make this class seen by more people who need it, as well as make more people work smarter and free up their time!
※ Content footer
- n8n Official Self-Deployment DocumentationHowever, in my course, in addition to providing one-click deployment of Zeabur, a number of students have installed it directly on their own Synology NAS, and have supplemented the course with tutorials on how to do this.↩︎
- We Taiwanese, in order to spread the word better, say “n ba n”, it’s good to be understood in layman’s terms 😆↩︎
- ❌ Absolutely can not choose Hong Kong, Shanghai, because at present OpenAI does not support these two regions of the API application, if you want to integrate AI will be wrong Oh.↩︎