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

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🚀 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.

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🔧 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

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Step 1. Sign up for Render

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

1. From the Render Dashboard, click on → Web service option “New Web Services”

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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).

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🚀 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.

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🔍 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.

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⚠️ 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.

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🛢️ 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