Beta Launch: Early access to the platform. We're also building a complete suite of deployment products.

Blog

Read our blog posts.

How to Create a Free n8n Pod with SQLite in Minutes

Are you looking to automate your workflows without breaking the bank? You've come to the right place. In this short guide, we'll show you exactly how to create a completely free n8n automation server using SQLite as your database.

No credit card required. No hidden fees. Just pure automation power.

What You'll Get for Free

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let's clarify what you're getting with the free tier:

This is perfect for:

Why SQLite for Your Free n8n Pod?

You might be wondering: "Why SQLite instead of PostgreSQL?"

Here's the truth: SQLite is perfect for getting started. Here's why:

  1. Zero Configuration: No database setup required—it just works
  2. Lightweight: Uses minimal resources, leaving more power for your workflows
  3. Fast for Small Workloads: Excellent performance for personal use and testing
  4. No Additional Cost: Completely free with no database hosting fees
  5. Easy to Backup: Single file database makes backups simple

When to Upgrade to PostgreSQL: If you're running 100+ workflow executions per day, need advanced querying, or require multi-user access, consider upgrading to a PostgreSQL-backed pod. But for most users starting out, SQLite is more than enough.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have:

That's it. No technical knowledge required.

Step-by-Step: Create Your Free n8n Pod

Step 1: Sign Up for a Free Account

First, head over to travos.ai and create your free account. The registration process is straightforward:

  1. Click "Sign Up" (or Login if you already have an account)
  2. Enter your email and create a password (or use Google Sign-In)
  3. Verify your email address
  4. You're in!

Step 2: Navigate to the n8n Pod Creator

Once logged in, you'll land on your console dashboard. Here's how to start creating your pod:

  1. Click on "Create New Pod"
  2. You'll be taken to the n8n configuration page
  3. You'll see the n8n logo and the title "Create n8n server"

Step 3: Configure Your Free Pod

This is where the magic happens. The configurator is pre-filled with sensible defaults, but let's walk through each option:

Pod Name

Your pod needs a unique name. The system auto-generates a random name, but you can customize it:

Example: my-automation-hub

Tips for naming:

URL Path

This determines your pod's web address. It will look like:

{SITE_URL}/n8n/your-path-here

The system generates a random path, but you can customize it. Click the refresh icon next to the path field to generate a new random path if you don't like the current one.

Resource Configuration

Here's where you select your free tier resources:

CPU: Select 0.5 vCPU (this is the free option)

RAM: Select 512MB (this is the free option)

Storage: Select 1GB SSD (this is the free option)

Database: Select SQLite (this is the free option)

Important: PostgreSQL requires additional resources and is not available on the free tier. Stick with SQLite to keep your pod completely free.

Legal Agreements

Before deploying, you'll need to accept two agreements:

  1. Terms of Service: Standard usage terms
  2. n8n License Agreement: n8n's fair-code license

Simply check both boxes to proceed.

Step 4: Deploy Your Pod

Once you've configured everything:

  1. Review your settings one last time
  2. Click the "Create Pod" button
  3. The system will start provisioning your n8n instance

What happens behind the scenes:

This process typically takes 60-90 seconds.

Step 5: Access Your n8n Instance

Once deployment completes, you'll see a success message with your pod's URL. Click the link or copy it to your browser:

{SITE_URL}/n8n/your-custom-path

On first access, n8n will ask you to create an admin account:

  1. Enter your email address
  2. Create a strong password
  3. Set your first and last name
  4. Click "Create Account"

Security tip: Use a password manager to generate and store a strong password.

Step 6: Start Building Workflows

Congratulations! You now have a fully functional n8n automation server. Here's what you can do next:

Create Your First Workflow

  1. Click "New Workflow" in the n8n dashboard
  2. Add a trigger node (e.g., "Schedule Trigger" for time-based automation)
  3. Add action nodes (e.g., "HTTP Request", "Gmail", "Slack")
  4. Connect the nodes
  5. Click "Execute Workflow" to test
  6. Click "Active" to enable the workflow

Popular Free Workflow Ideas

Here are some automation ideas perfect for the free tier:

Personal Productivity:

Business Automation:

Development:

Managing Your Free Pod

Accessing Your Pod Dashboard

From your console at travos.ai/console, you can:

Monitoring Resource Usage

Keep an eye on your resource consumption:

If you consistently hit resource limits, consider upgrading to a paid tier with more resources (and remember, n8n is always free for personal use).

Upgrading When You're Ready

As your automation needs grow, you can easily upgrade:

  1. Go to your pod settings
  2. Select higher CPU, RAM, or storage
  3. Optionally switch to PostgreSQL for better performance
  4. The system will calculate the new monthly cost
  5. Confirm the upgrade

Upgrade triggers:

Best Practices for Free Tier Users

1. Optimize Your Workflows

2. Monitor Resource Usage

3. Secure Your Instance

4. Backup Your Workflows

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the free tier really free forever?

Yes! There are no time limits or trial periods. As long as you stay within the free tier resource limits (1 vCPU, 512MB RAM, 1GB storage, SQLite), your pod remains completely free.

Can I create multiple free pods?

Currently, free tier users are limited to 1 pod. If you need multiple instances, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan.

What happens if I exceed resource limits?

Your pod will continue to run, but performance may degrade. You'll receive notifications to upgrade if you consistently hit limits.

Is my data safe on the free tier?

Absolutely. Free tier pods receive the same security measures as paid tiers:

Ready to start automating?

Create your free n8n pod now and join thousands of users who have already discovered the power of workflow automation.

Additional Resources

Need help? Join our community or reach out to support. We're here to help you succeed with automation!

Travos.ai - Deploy n8n with Managed Infrastructure