Install n8n Server on Linux VPS (Ubuntu/Debian) | Docker + FreeSSL + Nginx

n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that allows you to connect and automate tasks across multiple applications and services using a drag-and-drop interface. With n8n, you can build workflows such as sending Telegram alerts when new emails arrive, syncing data between Google Sheets and your database, or automating DevOps processes.

Self-hosting n8n on your VPS brings many benefits:

• Full control over your data and security.
• Customized integrations tailored to your needs.
• No dependency on third-party hosted services.

In this guide, we’ll install n8n on a VPS running Ubuntu/Debian, using Docker + Docker Compose, configure a domain, and enable SSL with Nginx + Certbot for secure access.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A VPS server (Ubuntu/Debian) with root or sudo privileges.
• Docker and Docker Compose are installed.
  If not yet installed, check out our Docker installation guide: How to Install Docker and Portainer on Linux Ubuntu/Debian
• Portainer (optional but recommended) for easier container management.
• A domain or subdomain already pointed to your VPS public IP address.
• Opened firewall ports: 5678, 80, 443.

Step 1: Check Your VPS Public IP

Run the following command to get your VPS public IP and copy it for later configuration:

curl ifconfig.me

Step 2: Create Directory for n8n Config

Create a working folder to store configuration and persistent data:

mkdir ~/n8n
cd ~/n8n

Inside this directory, you will store:

• .env file with environment variables.
• docker-compose.yml file to define services.

Step 3: Configure the .env File

Create and open the file:

sudo vim .env

Example content:

# Database settings
DB_TYPE=postgresdb
DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST=postgres
DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT=5432
DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE=n8ndb
DB_POSTGRESDB_USER=n8ndb_user
DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD=n8ndb_user_PWD

# N8N Host & Port
N8N_HOST=IP-SERVER
N8N_PORT=5678
N8N_PROTOCOL=http
#WEBHOOK_URL=https://Your-Domain/
N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false

# For saving data persistently
N8N_PERSONALIZATION_ENABLED=false

Why use .env? It helps you manage sensitive data (like passwords) separately from the Docker Compose file, making configuration cleaner and easier to update.

Step 4: Configure docker-compose.yml

Create the file:

sudo vim docker-compose.yml

Example configuration:

version: '3.7'

services:
  postgres:
    container_name: n8n-postgres
    image: postgres:13
    restart: always
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: ${DB_POSTGRESDB_USER}
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD}
      POSTGRES_DB: ${DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE}
    volumes:
      - postgres-data:/var/lib/postgresql/data

  n8n:
    container_name: n8n-server
    image: n8nio/n8n
    restart: always
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    environment:
      - DB_TYPE=${DB_TYPE}
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST=${DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST}
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT=${DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT}
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE=${DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE}
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_USER=${DB_POSTGRESDB_USER}
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD=${DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD}
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=${N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE}
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=${N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER}
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=${N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD}
      - N8N_HOST=${N8N_HOST}
      - N8N_PORT=${N8N_PORT}
      - N8N_PROTOCOL=${N8N_PROTOCOL}
      - N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=${N8N_SECURE_COOKIE}
      - N8N_PERSONALIZATION_ENABLED=${N8N_PERSONALIZATION_ENABLED}
      #- WEBHOOK_URL=http://${N8N_HOST}:${N8N_PORT}
    volumes:
      - n8n-data:/home/node/.n8n
    depends_on:
      - postgres

volumes:
  postgres-data:
  n8n-data:

The n8n_data folder ensures persistent storage even if the container is removed.

Step 5: Start n8n

Launch n8n in the background:

sudo docker-compose up -d

Check running containers:

sudo docker ps

You can also manage containers visually with Portainer.

Step 6: Open Firewall Port (if needed)

If you’re using UFW, allow the n8n port:

sudo ufw allow 22
sudo ufw allow 80
sudo ufw allow 443
sudo ufw allow 5678

You can skip this step if you do not intend to use a firewall.

Step 7: Access n8n for the First Time

Open your browser and go to:

http://your-vps-ip:5678

On first access, you’ll be prompted to create an admin account. Once done, you’ll land on the n8n dashboard.

Step 8: Configure Domain and SSL with Nginx

To secure access and enable integrations, let’s use domain + HTTPS.

Update .env:

• Change N8N_HOST from IP to Your-domain.
• Change N8N_PROTOCOL to https.
• Uncomment and set WEBHOOK_URL to your domain (e.g., https://n8n.example.com/).
• Change N8N_SECURE_COOKIE to true

After completing the steps, your configuration file will look similar to this.

# Database settings
DB_TYPE=postgresdb
DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST=postgres
DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT=5432
DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE=n8ndb
DB_POSTGRESDB_USER=n8ndb_user
DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD=n8ndb_user_PWD

# N8N Host & Port
N8N_HOST=Your-Domain
N8N_PORT=5678
N8N_PROTOCOL=https
WEBHOOK_URL=https://Your-Domain/
N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=true

# For saving data persistently
N8N_PERSONALIZATION_ENABLED=false

Update .env:

Uncomment and set WEBHOOK_URL to your domain

      
... ... ...
      - N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=${N8N_SECURE_COOKIE}
      - N8N_PERSONALIZATION_ENABLED=${N8N_PERSONALIZATION_ENABLED}
      - WEBHOOK_URL=http://${N8N_HOST}:${N8N_PORT}
    volumes:
      - n8n-data:/home/node/.n8n
    depends_on:
      - postgres
... ... ...

Install Nginx and Certbot:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nginx certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y

Create Nginx config:

sudo vim /etc/nginx/sites-available/n8n.conf

Example configuration:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name Your-Domain;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:5678;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    }
}

Enable config:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/n8n.conf /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl restart nginx

Issue SSL certificate with Certbot:

sudo certbot --nginx -d n8n.example.com

If successful, you’ll see confirmation that SSL certificates were issued.

Step 9: Access n8n via HTTPS

Now visit your domain over HTTPS:

https://n8n.example.com

The connection is secure with SSL, and you can start building workflows safely.

Conclusion

• Installed n8n with Docker on Ubuntu/Debian.
• Configured a custom domain for n8n.
• Enabled SSL with Nginx and Certbot.

With this setup, you can confidently deploy automation workflows in a secure and professional environment.

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