I’ll help you draft a support question for n8n. Here’s a clear, professional message:
## Describe the problem/error/question
We are a Pro account holder on n8n Cloud and need to set up a local development environment for workflow development and testing. We need full access to Pro features in our local environment since we're already paying for them. Currently, when running n8n locally, we're being prompted to use a free license which has significant limitations (5 active workflows, 100 executions/month) that don't align with our Pro account benefits.
## What is the error message (if any)?
Not an error, but the local instance prompts for a free license key instead of recognizing our Pro account status.
## Information on your n8n setup
- **n8n version:** Latest (installed via Docker)
- **Database:** SQLite (local instance)
- **n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting:** Default
- **Running n8n via:** Docker
- **Operating system:** macOS
## Additional Context
1. We have an active n8n Cloud Pro account
2. We need to run n8n locally for development and testing
3. We require full Pro features locally because:
- We need to develop and test workflows with API access
- We need to test with multiple workflows
- We need to run more than 100 executions during development
4. We're willing to provide our Pro account details for verification
## Question
Is there a way to:
1. Get a Pro license key for our local development environment?
2. Or link our local instance to our Pro account?
3. Or is there another recommended approach for Pro users who need local development capabilities?
Thank you for your help!
Hi, so regarding your first question. You can’t use the Pro features in the self hosted version of n8n. There is currently 2 paid plans with self hosted (startup and enterprise).
Also regarding the community version which you guys are using. Has unlimated workflow executions and active workflows.
Hey Grot, Many thanks for the response. I’ll have a go at using the community license for the POC I’m building and then look to transition to, at least, the cloud pro license (which I’ve already subscribed to), and maybe the cloud enterprise one, if that’s deemed necessary.
With selfhost, it’s recommend to have a domain attached, for webhook and call back url, some people use trafik or docker caddy, I made quick guide on cloudflare with sll setup, see here
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Hi David, Thanks for the info. Right now, I’m just thinking of using the local n8n instance for dev prior to switching to enterprise once I hit MVP and then onto the full commercialisation. Something tells me a self hosted solution is not going to be compliant with my clients from a financial perspective, but it’s interesting to know that you have done this self-hosting!
Coming from finance, and it just depends, n8n do have n8n Legal
But selfhosting secure further, if they don’t want manged service.
Personally I worked with unilever, dell, jpmorgan, us bank and loads more, they all host onprem, and have sysadmins / dbadmins running it behind the scenes (I was lvl 3 technical support for them)
Dev env are relatively easy to maintain selfhosted, I would just key in recovery processes, and backup / restore. things happen in dev env so restoring is always needed at somepoint so better to have in place.
Rambled abit haha, but hope that answer and helps.
