How to Self-Host n8n with Docker Compose (Free Zapier Alternative)

#docker #automation #selfhost #n8n

Why n8n?

If you are paying for Zapier or Make, stop.

n8n is a free, open-source workflow automation tool that you can
run on your own machine. Your data never leaves your server,
no monthly bills, no task limits.

What you will need

Docker installed on your machine
Docker Compose
5 minutes

The docker-compose.yml

services:
  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n:latest
    container_name: n8n
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    environment:
      - N8N_HOST=localhost
      - N8N_PORT=5678
      - N8N_PROTOCOL=http
      - WEBHOOK_URL=http://localhost:5678/
      - GENERIC_TIMEZONE=Asia/Kolkata
    volumes:
      - n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n

volumes:
  n8n_data:
    driver: local

Run it

docker compose up -d

Then open http://localhost:5678 in your browser.
Create your owner account on first visit and you are inside n8n.

What each key line does

image: n8nio/n8n:latest — pulls the official n8n image
restart: unless-stopped — auto restarts on reboot
ports 5678:5678 — exposes n8n in your browser
GENERIC_TIMEZONE — keeps your scheduled workflows on time
n8n_data volume — persists all your workflows and credentials

Full Video Walkthrough

I have covered this step by step in a video on my YouTube channel ArrayAcademy including every line of the compose file explained.

📺 Watch here — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3RSWkvB8_Y
📄 Compose file — https://gist.github.com/abinash889/9c0f9ab02c160c95134a86fcef87b323

What's Next

In the next video I am covering the full n8n interface overview
followed by building a real Gmail to Telegram notification workflow — completely free.

Subscribe to ArrayAcademy on YouTube to follow along.

Drop a comment if you have any questions. Happy to help!

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