Build
Short answer: For most people who want to self-host n8n, a VPS with 2 vCPU and 4–8 GB of RAM is enough, and the cheapest one we have actually run n8n on is Hostinger KVM 1 (1 vCPU, 4 GB RAM): $6.49 a month on a 24-month term ($155.76), renewing at $11.99, with a one-click n8n template (prices on Hostinger's n8n page, November 10, 2026). If you run many workflows at once or AI steps with large inputs, pick KVM 2 ($8.79 a month, 8 GB RAM). If you never want to touch a server, n8n Cloud starts at $24 a month.
🏆 Our pick: Hostinger KVM 1 with the n8n template
We run our Telegram AI sales bot on it. 4 GB RAM, unlimited workflows and executions (n8n Community Edition is free), from $6.49/mo, about $5.84 with code LEARN2EARN.
Best VPS for n8n at a glance (November 2026)
| Option | Price | Renews / billing | Resources | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger KVM 1 | $6.49/mo (24 months, $155.76) | $11.99/mo | 1 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, 50 GB NVMe | One person, small client bots |
| Hostinger KVM 2 | $8.79/mo (24 months, $210.96) | $14.99/mo | 2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 100 GB NVMe | Agencies, many workflows, queue mode |
| hosting.com Unmanaged VPS 4 GB | $6.49/mo (3 years) | $19/mo | 4 GB RAM | If you prefer hosting.com (checked October 22, 2026) |
| Railway | $5/mo minimum (Hobby, includes $5 of usage) | Billed by CPU and RAM used, per second | Up to 48 vCPU / 48 GB per service | Developers who want a platform, not a server |
| n8n Cloud Starter | $24/mo ($20 billed yearly) | Same price | Hosted by n8n, 2,500 executions a month | No server work at all |
Prices in US dollars before tax, from each provider's site on the date shown. Hostinger's n8n prices are Black Friday prices and can change. Railway pricing from railway.com/pricing and n8n Cloud from n8n.io/pricing (November 2026).
How much VPS does n8n actually need?
n8n itself is light. The official self-hosting docs give no hard minimum for small setups, and in our own test a single n8n instance with a Telegram trigger, an AI Agent node (Google Gemini), memory and a reply step ran comfortably on 1 vCPU and 4 GB of RAM. What makes n8n heavy is not the number of workflows but what each execution does:
- Big payloads: files, images and long AI responses are held in memory while the workflow runs.
- Many executions at the same time: webhooks from busy forms or chat bots.
- Extra services on the same server: Postgres, Redis for queue mode, a local AI model with Ollama.
Our rule of thumb: start with 4 GB of RAM for one person or one client bot, move to 8 GB when you run queue mode or several busy clients, and only go higher if you run local AI models on the same VPS (see our VPS for AI agents guide).
Why we picked Hostinger for n8n
We bought a KVM 1 plan, chose the n8n template in hPanel and had n8n running on its own HTTPS address in a few minutes, with no SSH commands. Then we built a Telegram AI sales assistant on it (Telegram Trigger, AI Agent with Gemini, Simple Memory, Send message).
Hostinger's VPS setup offers n8n as a one-click template (our VPS order).
What we liked: the template, the price for 4 GB of RAM, and that the renewal ($11.99 a month on KVM 1) is shown on the pricing page. What to watch: it is an unmanaged server, so updates and backups are on you, and the low price needs a 24-month term. The full setup is in our step-by-step n8n install guide, and if you are choosing between plans, read which KVM plan for n8n.
The Telegram AI sales bot we run on Hostinger KVM 1.
VPS vs Railway vs n8n Cloud: which should you choose?
- Choose a VPS if you want a fixed monthly price, unlimited workflows and executions, and you are fine updating the server once in a while. Best value for freelancers who build automations for clients.
- Choose Railway if you are a developer who already deploys apps there. You pay for the CPU and memory n8n uses by the second, so the bill depends on how busy your workflows are; add the cost of a database if you use Postgres.
- Choose n8n Cloud if you never want to manage a server. It costs more ($24 a month for 2,500 executions) but updates, backups and uptime are n8n's job. Compare the full numbers in our n8n self-hosted vs cloud cost guide.
💡 Making money with n8n?
One KVM 1 can run automations for several small clients. If you charge each client a monthly fee, the VPS pays for itself with the first one. Start with Hostinger KVM 1
What does n8n on a VPS cost over 2 and 4 years?
| Option | 2 years | 4 years |
|---|---|---|
| Hostinger KVM 1 (24-month term, then renewal) | $155.76 | $443.52 |
| Hostinger KVM 2 (24-month term, then renewal) | $210.96 | $570.72 |
| n8n Cloud Starter (billed yearly) | $480 | $960 |
Hostinger totals: the 24-month price, then 24 months at the renewal price ($11.99 or $14.99 a month). n8n Cloud at $20 a month billed yearly. Before tax; Railway is left out because it depends on usage.
Security checklist before you put n8n online
- Use the HTTPS address the template creates; never run n8n on plain HTTP.
- Create the owner account right after deployment and use a strong password.
- Turn on automatic backups or snapshots in your VPS panel.
- Keep n8n and the operating system updated.
- Store API keys only in n8n credentials, not inside nodes or notes.
FAQ
What is the best VPS for n8n?
For most people, a VPS with 4–8 GB of RAM and a one-click n8n template. We run n8n on Hostinger KVM 1 (1 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, $6.49 a month on 24 months), and KVM 2 (8 GB) is the upgrade for busy or queue-mode setups.
How much RAM does n8n need?
Our single-instance AI bot ran fine on 4 GB. Plan 8 GB for queue mode, several busy clients, or workflows that handle large files.
What is the cheapest way to host n8n?
Self-hosting the free Community Edition on a small VPS. On Hostinger KVM 1 that was $155.76 for 24 months (November 10, 2026), about $5.84 a month with code LEARN2EARN, with unlimited workflows and executions.
Can I host n8n for free?
Only on your own computer (it stops when your computer sleeps) or on limited free trials. For automations that must run 24/7, a paid VPS or n8n Cloud is the reliable option.
Is Hostinger good for n8n?
Yes for most self-hosters: the n8n template installs it in a few clicks, 4 GB of RAM is included from the cheapest plan, and the renewal price is shown upfront. It is unmanaged, so you handle updates and backups.
Sources: hostinger.com/self-hosted-n8n (November 10, 2026), railway.com/pricing and n8n.io/pricing (November 2026), our own Hostinger KVM 1 order and n8n test (October 2026), hosting.com cart (October 22, 2026).
