How To Host n8n on Microsoft Azure

n8n is a powerful, open-source workflow automation tool that allows you to automate tasks across hundreds of apps and services. If you're an Azure user or host your infrastructure on Microsoft services, learning how to host n8n on Azure gives you the flexibility of scaling automation securely within your cloud environment. This guide will walk you through hosting n8n on Azure from scratch, including virtual machine setup, Docker deployment, and key security configurations. No matter if you're just starting out or already managing automation pipelines, this setup offers a robust path to taking full control of your data.

Why Host n8n on Azure?

Before diving into the steps, let’s quickly explore why Azure is a solid choice to host n8n.

• Seamless cloud integration: Azure services like Azure Key Vault, App Services, and Azure Container Registry integrate well with Docker-based apps like n8n.
• Scalability and uptime: Hosting n8n on Azure means you can scale resources as your workflows grow without worrying about server management.
• Cost flexibility: Using Azure’s pay-as-you-go pricing, you can control hosting costs based on actual usage.
• Security and compliance: Azure provides enterprise-grade security, identity, and compliance capabilities.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• An active Microsoft Azure account
• Azure CLI installed locally (optional but helpful)
• A basic understanding of Docker and SSH
• n8n Docker image (we’ll pull it during setup)
• A domain name (optional, but recommended for production)

Step-by-Step: How to Host n8n on Azure

Step 1: Create an Azure Virtual Machine

We’ll start by deploying a Linux VM that can run Docker and n8n.

1. Go to Azure Portal → Virtual Machines → Create

2. Choose these options:

   • Image: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
   • Size: B2s or higher depending on your expected load
   • Authentication: SSH (generate a key pair if needed)
   • Allow ports: HTTP (80), HTTPS (443), and a custom port for n8n (default: 5678)

3. Finish creating the VM and wait for deployment to complete.

Tip: For small workloads, B-series VMs provide a good balance between cost and performance.

Step 2: SSH Into Your VM

Use your terminal and SSH key to connect:

ssh azureuser@<your-vm-ip>

Replace <your-vm-ip> with the public IP address of your deployed virtual machine.

Step 3: Install Docker and Docker Compose

Run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y docker.io docker-compose
sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

Log out and SSH back in to apply group changes, or use newgrp docker.

Step 4: Set Up n8n With Docker Compose

Create a working directory and a docker-compose.yml file:

mkdir n8n && cd n8n
nano docker-compose.yml

Paste the following configuration:

version: "3"

services:
  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    volumes:
      - ./n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n
    environment:
      - GENERIC_TIMEZONE=Europe/Berlin
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=yourpassword
    restart: always

Make sure to replace the timezone and set a secure password.

Step 5: Start the n8n Container

Launch your workflow automation server with:

docker-compose up -d

You can now access your n8n instance by visiting:

http://<your-vm-ip>:5678/

Use the login credentials you set in the environment variables above.

Step 6: Secure Your n8n Instance (Recommended)

For production systems, you should secure your instance:

• Use HTTPS: Configure a reverse proxy with Nginx and a free SSL certificate using Let’s Encrypt.
• Set up domain routing: Point your domain to the VM and access n8n using a proper URL like n8n.yourdomain.com.
• Add firewall rules in Azure: Limit open ports and allow only necessary inbound traffic.

Optional: Use Azure Storage for Persistent Data

Instead of local storage, you can mount Azure File shares to your Docker volume path. This allows better backup, redundancy, and scalability.

Example:

volumes:
  - azure-file-share:/home/node/.n8n

You’ll first need to create a File Share in an Azure Storage Account and configure your Docker host to access it.

Benefits of Azure-Hosted n8n

Here’s a quick table highlighting what you gain from hosting n8n on Azure:

Azure also allows you to automate tasks in combination with Logic Apps, Event Grid, and Azure Functions. For deeper automation, you can even integrate Supabase with n8n or use n8n with Google Apps alongside your Azure instance.

Best Practices and Tips

• Use persistent storage (n8n_data) for workflow backup and consistency
• Avoid exposing port 5678 directly in production—always use HTTPS with a reverse proxy
• For multi-user environments, consider adding Redis and PostgreSQL for scalability
• Set up environment variables securely using .env files or Azure Key Vault integration

Final Thoughts

Learning how to host n8n on Azure sets you up for enterprise-ready automation while keeping infrastructure cost-effective and flexible. Whether you’re a solo developer automating marketing workflows or an IT team orchestrating system-level processes, Azure’s ecosystem combined with n8n’s open-source nature is a perfect match.

Once you’ve deployed n8n successfully, don’t forget to check out advanced integrations like using Creatomate for automated video creation or building LLM-powered agents with OpenAI.

FAQ

How much does it cost to host n8n on Azure?

Running n8n on a small VM like B1s or B2s can cost anywhere from $5 to $15 per month, depending on region and uptime. Prices go up with higher CPU/RAM requirements.

Can I use Azure App Services instead of a VM?

Currently, n8n works best in a containerized environment. Azure App Services for Linux containers works, but VM + Docker offers more reliability in persistent storage and networking.

Do I need a domain name to host n8n on Azure?

It’s not required, but highly recommended for production use. Using a domain allows you to add HTTPS, improve accessibility, and brand your automation platform.

Is it safe to expose n8n to the public internet?

Use basic authentication at the very least. For production, always use HTTPS, proper firewall rules, and optionally allowlisted IP access to secure your instance.

Can I run other services like Postgres or Redis on the same VM?

Yes, you can deploy multiple containers using Docker Compose. In fact, using PostgreSQL with n8n is recommended for more complex workflows or multi-node setups.