Self-Host n8n on Synology NAS: Ultimate Workflow Hub

If you're looking to create your own powerful automation hub at home or in the office, installing n8n on a Synology NAS is a strategic and cost-effective solution. With the ability to self-host n8n, you get full control of your workflows, enhanced data privacy, and 24/7 uptime from your existing hardware. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to install n8n on Synology NAS using Docker, explore some practical use cases, and discuss tips to optimize your automation setup.

Why Install n8n on Synology NAS?

Hosting n8n (short for "node node") on your Synology NAS allows you to harness the full capabilities of a workflow automation tool similar to Zapier or Make.com, but with local control and virtually no recurring costs.

Here are some key benefits:

• Always-on automation: Your NAS runs 24/7, perfect for background workflows.
• Cost savings: Avoid monthly SaaS costs by self-hosting.
• Data ownership & privacy: Keep sensitive triggers and payloads within your network.
• Real flexibility: n8n supports over 200 services with advanced logic and scripting.

Prerequisites for Running n8n on a Synology NAS

Before you begin, make sure your Synology NAS meets the following requirements:

• DSM 7 or higher (DiskStation Manager)
• Docker installed from the Synology Package Center
• Your NAS must support Docker (typically Intel/AMD CPUs, not all ARM-based models)
• Basic familiarity with Docker and Terminal (helpful but not mandatory)

Optional but recommended:

• SSH access to Synology
• A reverse proxy set up (to access n8n through a domain or subdomain securely)
• Let's Encrypt SSL certificate (for HTTPS)

Step-by-Step Guide: Install n8n on Synology NAS

The most efficient way to set up n8n on a Synology NAS is via Docker using Docker Compose. Here’s how.

Step 1: Enable SSH Access (If Needed)

To make managing containers easier via commands:

1. Log in to DSM
2. Go to Control Panel → Terminal & SNMP
3. Enable SSH Service

Connect via SSH using a terminal on your computer:

ssh admin@your-nas-ip

Step 2: Create a Docker Compose File for n8n

Using SSH or the File Station UI:

1. Navigate to a location like /volume1/docker/n8n
2. Create a file called docker-compose.yml with the following content:

version: '3.7'

services:
  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n
    restart: always
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    environment:
      - DB_SQLITE_VACUUM_ON_STARTUP=true
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=yourUsername
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=yourPassword
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/n8n/data:/home/node/.n8n

💡 You can replace authentication variables with your preferred username and password for workflow security.

Step 3: Launch the Container

Run the following command to spin up n8n:

docker-compose up -d

Within a few moments, n8n should be accessible on:

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

If you enabled basic auth, it will prompt you to log in using the credentials set in docker-compose.yml.

Step 4: Make It Accessible via Reverse Proxy (Optional)

If you want to access n8n via a custom server name like https://n8n.yourdomain.com:

1. Go to Control Panel → Application Portal → Reverse Proxy
2. Click Create
   • Source: n8n.yourdomain.com:443
   • Destination: localhost:5678
3. Ensure "HTTPS" is selected and associate it with a Let's Encrypt SSL Certificate

Now you can access your self-hosted n8n securely from anywhere.

Real-World Use Case Examples

Here are a few practical automations to run with n8n on Synology NAS:

Automate Daily Backups to Google Drive

Workflow: On a schedule → Compress your documents folder → Upload to Google Drive

Use Cron node + Execute Command node + Google Drive node.

Monitor RSS Feeds and Send Telegram Alerts

Workflow: Watch an RSS feed → Compare to last saved entry → Send alert if new

Helps you monitor blogs, YouTube channels, or job boards effortlessly.

Sync New Notion Pages to Local Storage

Workflow: Watch Notion for new pages → Parse content → Save as markdown in Synology folder

Get offline backups of important Notion content through your NAS.

Tips to Optimize Your n8n on Synology Setup

• Use SQLite for personal use, but switch to Postgres or MySQL for more robustness if you're scaling.
• Enable webhook exposure through reverse proxy or port forwarding for external triggers (e.g., form submissions).
• Regularly back up the /data volume to preserve your workflows.
• Monitor resource usage via DSM’s Resource Monitor if you're running other things on your NAS.

Here’s a simple comparison table to clarify recommendations:

Setup Option	Personal Use	Business Use	Notes
SQLite DB	✅	❌	Lightweight, but not ideal for scaling
Reverse Proxy	✅	✅	Enables HTTPS and domain access
Docker Compose	✅	✅	Easy to maintain and restart
External Trigger Webhook	✅	✅	Useful for real-time integrations

Backing Up and Updating n8n

Backup Steps

To back up your n8n instance:

1. Stop the container: docker-compose down
2. Copy /volume1/docker/n8n/data to a backup location
3. Restart container after backup: docker-compose up -d

Updating to the Latest Version

1. Run docker-compose pull
2. Restart with docker-compose up -d

This will pull and launch the latest version with your data intact.

Security Considerations

Running any app on your local network comes with responsibility:

• Use strong usernames and passwords
• Only expose ports or reverse proxies that are secured
• Keep Docker packages and images up to date
• Regularly audit workflows that contain API keys or personal data

FAQ

Is it safe to install n8n on Synology NAS?

Yes, as long as you follow standard security practices like using HTTPS, setting up basic authentication, and avoiding exposing it to the internet without proper firewall settings.

Do I need to know Docker to set this up?

Not necessarily. While using Docker Compose requires some minimal CLI usage, this guide gives you simple copy-paste steps to get started quickly.

Can I run other services alongside n8n on my Synology NAS?

Absolutely! Synology NAS is capable of running multiple containers. Just monitor CPU and RAM usage to ensure everything runs smoothly.

How do I access n8n from outside my home network?

You can set up Dynamic DNS or host n8n behind a reverse proxy with HTTPS, then forward the proper ports on your router or VPN into your NAS.

Is n8n suitable for team use?

Yes, but for multi-user environments and production level use, consider adding database support (Postgres) and role-based access control (coming in enterprise editions).

---

With n8n self-hosted on your Synology NAS, you're unlocking a powerful automation suite with full control and endless flexibility. Whether it's syncing data, alerting on changes, or controlling IoT devices, your NAS just became the center of intelligent workflows.