N8N is an open-source, node-based workflow automation tool that helps you connect various apps and services, without writing much (or any) code.

🚀 What Exactly Is n8n?

n8n stands for “nodemation” (node + automation). It allows users to:

Automate repetitive tasks
Connect APIs
Build complex workflows using a visual editor

You can think of it as an open-source alternative to Zapier or Make.com, but with more control, flexibility, and self-hosting capability.

🔧 Key Features:

Visual Workflow Editor: Drag-and-drop interface to build logic
Over 350+ integrations (e.g., Gmail, Discord, Slack, Notion, GitHub)
Conditional logic, loops, and error handling
Supports custom code with JavaScript nodes
Self-hosting support (you can run it on your own server/VPS)
Open Source (Fair-Code licensed): Freemium model, free to use with source code access

Set up N8N for Free

Signing up is fast and free: Sign up for Render

It's straightforward — just the usual email + password or a GitHub login. No credit card drama, which is a relief.

Step 2. Create your N8N web service

From the Render Dashboard, click on → Web service option “New Web Services”
Under Source Code, select “Existing Image”:

Add the n8n Docker image:

Paste the following URL in the Image URL box:
```
 docker.io/n8nio/n8n:latest
```

You can specify a tag or digest besides latest if you prefer. For details, see Pin to a specific n8n version.

Click on connect

Fill in the rest:
- Name: Something like n8n-latest or my-n8n-instance
- Region: Pick the one nearest to your users
- Instance Type: Choose anything except Free, because Free doesn’t support persistent disks (which we definitely need).
- Choose: Instance Type (Free)
- Now, all set, click on Deploy web services.

Deploy!

Click Deploy Web Service, grab a chai ☕, and let Render do the heavy lifting.

Once it’s deployed, your app will have a live URL like:

Monthly Usage Limits on Render (Free Plan)

🕒 Free Instance Hours

Each workspace gets 750 free hours/month.
Running Free services consume these hours. Paused services don’t.
If you exceed 750 hours, all Free services are suspended until the next month.
Hours reset on the 1st of every month (unused hours don’t roll over).

🚀 Bandwidth & Build Pipeline

Free services have limited outbound bandwidth and build pipeline minutes.
If you exceed limits:
- With payment method: You’re billed.
- Without payment method: All Free services are suspended for the rest of the month.
If build minutes are exhausted:
- Existing services stay online, but new deploys are blocked unless you upgrade.

🔍 Tracking Usage

Go to Billing > Monthly Free Usage in the dashboard.
You’ll get email notifications when:
- You’re close to the limits.
- You’ve exceeded a limit.

Service-Initiated Traffic

Free services may be suspended if they generate too much outbound traffic not initiated by user requests.

Examples:

Accessing external databases
Calling APIs
Downloading/uploading to external storage

To restore suspended services, upgrade to a paid plan.

⚠️ Other Free Tier Limitations

May be restarted anytime.
No shell access, no scaling, no persistent disks, no private network traffic reception.
Cannot use ports 18012, 18013, or 19099.

🛢️ Free Render Postgres Limitations

One Free database per workspace
1 GB storage cap
Expires in 30 days
- 14-day grace period to upgrade before permanent deletion
No backups
May be restarted or maintained anytime (causing temporary downtime)

📬 Render notifies you before:

Expiration
End of grace period