I’ve been using n8n and really want to keep learning, but my free trial just ended. Now I can’t create new workflows. I’m not ready to pay for a subscription yet. Does anyone know if there’s a way to continue practicing and testing workflows without spending money?
I’m curious if there might be free alternatives or workarounds available, such as a community version or a limited free tier. I’d appreciate any insights or tips from those who have navigated this scenario or who are familiar with budget-friendly options for n8n beginners.
Have you considered exploring open-source alternatives? I’ve found great success with Node-RED for workflow automation practice. It’s completely free and offers a browser-based flow editor that’s quite intuitive. While it may not be an exact replica of n8n, the core concepts of automation are similar, and you can create complex workflows without any cost.
Setting it up locally on your machine is straightforward, and there’s a wealth of community resources and tutorials available. This approach allows you to continue honing your automation skills without financial constraints. Plus, the knowledge you gain is transferable to other platforms, including n8n, should you decide to return to it later.
If you’re set on sticking with n8n specifically, self-hosting is indeed an option, but it does require more technical know-how. Whichever path you choose, consistent practice is key to mastering automation techniques.
I’ve been in your shoes, and I found a great solution: self-hosting n8n. It’s completely free and gives you unlimited workflows. I set it up on an old laptop I had lying around, and it’s been running smoothly for months.
The initial setup took me a weekend to figure out, but there are plenty of tutorials online that walk you through the process step-by-step. Once it’s up and running, you have full control over your instance and can practice to your heart’s content.
If you’re not comfortable with self-hosting, I’d recommend checking out Activepieces. It’s open-source like n8n and has a free tier that’s pretty generous. I’ve used it for some side projects, and while it’s not exactly the same as n8n, the skills you learn are transferable.
Whatever route you choose, keep practicing. The skills you’re building now will pay off in the long run, whether you stick with n8n or explore other automation tools.
hey there! have u tried self-hosting n8n? it’s free and lets u run unlimited workflows. might be a bit techy to set up, but no subscription needed. or check out relay.app - they got a free plan with 100 automations. could be good for practice without payin anything