Hey everyone! I’ve been looking into ways to host n8n without breaking the bank, and I stumbled upon a cool solution using Google Cloud’s free tier. Has anyone tried this before?
I’m thinking of using Docker Compose to set it all up. The idea is to get n8n running with HTTPS, a custom domain, and some storage that won’t disappear if the system restarts.
I’m pretty new to this, so I’m wondering if anyone has experience with:
Creating a VM on Google Cloud
Installing Docker and Docker Compose
Configuring n8n with HTTPS and a custom domain
Setting up persistent storage
Creating backups
Handling updates
Any tips or gotchas I should watch out for? It seems like a great way to test n8n without spending money, but I want to make sure I’m not missing anything important. Thanks in advance for any advice!
hey there! i’ve set up n8n on GC free tier w/ Docker Compose. it’s doable but tricky. watch out for e2-micro limits - can be slow sometimes. for storage, use a small persistent disk. HTTPS setup was a pain, but nginx+Let’s Encrypt worked for me. backups are crucial - i use a simple cron job to gcloud storage. updates can be scary, always backup first! good luck with ur setup!
I’ve actually gone through this process recently, and it’s definitely doable on Google Cloud’s free tier. One thing to keep in mind is that the free tier has some limitations, particularly on the VM specs and storage.
For the VM, I’d recommend using the e2-micro instance type, which is eligible for the free tier. It’s not the most powerful, but it’s sufficient for running n8n with light to moderate usage.
When it comes to persistent storage, you’ll want to use a persistent disk attached to your VM. This ensures your data survives VM restarts. However, be mindful of the storage limits on the free tier.
For HTTPS and custom domain setup, I found Let’s Encrypt with Certbot to be a straightforward solution. You can automate certificate renewals to keep things running smoothly.
One gotcha I encountered was related to backups. While you can set up automated backups, storage for these can quickly exceed the free tier limits. I ended up implementing a manual backup process to a separate cloud storage bucket.
Updates can be tricky, especially if you’re new to Docker. I’d suggest creating a separate test environment to practice updates before applying them to your production setup.
Overall, it’s a great learning experience and a cost-effective way to run n8n. Just be prepared for a bit of a learning curve if you’re new to cloud infrastructure and Docker.
I’ve deployed n8n on Google Cloud’s free tier using Docker Compose, and it’s been a solid setup. A few key points to consider:
VM creation is straightforward, but stick to the e2-micro instance to stay within free tier limits. For Docker and Docker Compose installation, Google Cloud’s documentation is comprehensive and easy to follow.
HTTPS configuration can be tricky. I recommend using Nginx as a reverse proxy with Let’s Encrypt for SSL certificates. This approach works well with custom domains.
For persistent storage, attach a persistent disk to your VM. However, be cautious with the size to avoid exceeding free tier limits.
Backups are crucial. I use a cron job to periodically dump the n8n database and store it in a Google Cloud Storage bucket. This method is cost-effective and reliable.
Updates require careful planning. Always backup before updating, and consider using Docker tags to manage versions effectively.
Overall, it’s a great way to run n8n cost-effectively, but it does require some technical know-how and careful resource management.