How to Save Thousands in Automation for Just $35 per Year with n8n
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Are you looking for a powerful workflow automation tool without breaking the bank? Look no further!
In this short guide, I’ll show you how to start using n8n, a free and source-available automation platform, for just $37 per year.
This setup will save you thousands of dollars compared to other automation services such as Zapier, Pipedream, or Make.
What is n8n?
n8n is a flexible and extensible workflow automation tool that connects various services and automates your business processes. It’s best tailored for people with some technical skills but can also be used by anyone.
Key Features of n8n
- Visual Workflow Editor: Create complex workflows with a drag-and-drop interface.
- Extensive Integrations: Connect with over 400 services, including popular tools like Slack, Google Sheets, and Trello.
- Self-Hosting Option: Maintain full control over your data by hosting n8n on your own server.
- Community Support: Benefit from an active community that contributes to plugins and provides support.
n8n Pricing
n8n allows users to choose from one of its paid or forever-free plans.
The free plan where you host n8n yourself:
- Community Edition: The free, self-hosted edition with all core functionality without some premium features, such as debugging previous executions in the editor.
- Unlimited executions and unlimited active workflows without any extra cost
The paid plans where n8n handles everything:
- Starter: $24/month ($20/mo on the annual plan).
- 2.5k workflow executions per month, with unlimited steps
- 5 active workflows and unlimited test workflows
- 1 shared project
- Unlimited users
- Forum support.
- Pro: $60/month ($50/mo on the annual plan).
- 10k workflow executions per month, with unlimited steps
- 15 active workflows and unlimited test workflows
- 3 shared projects
- Admin roles
- Global variables
- Workflow history
- Execution search
- Debug in editor
- Entreprise: Price is provided upon contact with n8n.
- Self-hosted (or hosted by n8n)
- Unlimited executions and unlimited active workflows
- Unlimited shared projects
- SSO SAML and LDAP
- Different environments
- External secret store integration
- Log streaming
- Version control using Git
- Scaling options
- Extended data retention
- Dedicated support with SLA
- Invoice billing
How to Get Started with n8n on a Budget
Follow these steps to set up your own n8n instance for just $35 per year:
1. Server Setup: $35.49/year
First, you’ll need a server to host your n8n instance. I recommend using RackNerd, which offers affordable and reliable hosting solutions.
2. Installation Assistance: $30 (one-time fee)
To ensure a smooth setup, I recommend hiring Alek, a skilled freelancer on Fiverr, to install n8n on your server. This one-time fee will save you time and potential headaches.
3. Disaster Recovery: $6/month (optional but recommended)
To protect your valuable workflows and data, consider setting up disaster recovery with BackBlaze. For just $6/month, you can ensure your n8n instance is always backed up and recoverable.
Pro tip: Alek can also help set up daily backups to BackBlaze for an additional one-time fee of $15.
Total Cost Breakdown
- Server: $35.49/year
- Installation: $30 (one-time fee)
- Disaster Recovery: $72/year (optional)
Total first-year cost: $65.49 (or $137.49 with disaster recovery)
Ongoing annual cost: $35.49 (or $107.49 with disaster recovery)
Why This Setup Saves You Thousands
Many popular automation platforms charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually. By setting up your n8n instance, you’re getting a powerful automation tool at a fraction of the cost.
Here’s how the savings add up:
| Price for unlimited workflows | n8n Community | n8n Paid | Make | Pipedream | Zapier |
| Year 1 | $65.49 | Custom pricing (more than $600) | Custom pricing (more than $12,000) | Custom pricing (more than $36,000) | Custom pricing (more than $40,000) |
| Year 2 and ongoing | $35.49 | Custom pricing (more than $600) | Custom pricing (more than $12,000) | Custom pricing (more than $36,000) | Custom pricing (more than $40,000) |
Don’t miss this opportunity to streamline your business processes and boost your productivity.
Get started with n8n today and experience the power of affordable automation!
I’m founder of BizStack at Cagri Sarigoz LLC and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs.
With over 14 years in tech, marketing, and AI, including my role as Head of SEO at CitizenShipper and co-founder of TaleBot at Intale AI, I’m dedicated to sharing genuine, useful product insights and tips.
At BizStack, I aim to cut through the digital noise to provide clear, actionable advice.
And more than all else, I’m a father to a (always) little girl and a husband.
Contact me at [email protected] for assistance.
