If you’ve experimented with AI workflows using N8N and Google Search Console recently, chances are you’ve hit the end of your free cloud trial. Don’t worry—there’s a smart workaround.
Instead of paying €24/month (around ₹2,400) to continue using N8N’s hosted version, you can install and run N8N locally on your Windows or macOS computer—completely free with even more flexibility. This detailed guide will walk you through everything: from setting up Node.js, installing N8N, using extra community nodes like DataForSEO, and fixing common memory errors.
🛠 What You’ll Need
- A basic Windows or macOS PC
- Internet connection for initial setup
- Node.js installed (we’ll guide you through it)
- Terminal or Command Prompt access
🔧 Step-by-Step: Install N8N Locally (Windows/Mac)
1. Install Node.js (Required to Run N8N)
N8N is built on Node.js, so this is the first step:
- Go to the official Node.js website: https://nodejs.org
- Download the Windows Installer (.msi) or macOS version
- Double-click and install with default options (click “Next” until done)
2. Open Terminal (Mac) or Command Prompt (Windows)
Once Node.js is installed:
- Open your command-line tool:
- Windows:
cmd - Mac:
Terminal
- Windows:
Run this command to install N8N globally:
npm install -g n8n
This ensures N8N is accessible from any user account on your system.
▶️ 3. Start N8N Locally
After installation:
- In the same terminal window, type:
n8n start
- This will start the local N8N server.
- Open your browser and visit:
http://localhost:5678
You’ll see N8N’s setup page. Enter your name, email, and password to create your local instance.
🔒 Why Is There a Login Screen?
This is only stored locally and gives extra protection if others use your computer. It’s not an online account—just a local user setup.
🎫 Get Your Free License Key
Once you’re in, you’ll be asked to enter a free license key to unlock extended features:
- Click “Send Me Free License Key”
- Check your email inbox (and spam folder)
- Paste the key into the activation popup
- Done! You now have a fully licensed local version of N8N
🌐 Install Extra Features – Like DataForSEO Node
One advantage of the local version is the ability to add community nodes, which are often not available in the cloud version.
Here’s how:
- Go to the “Community Nodes” section in N8N
- Enter the following to install the DataForSEO package:
n8n-nodes-dataforseo
- Click “Install” and the node will be added
You can now use DataForSEO’s powerful API features in your workflows for SEO keyword research, SERP data, GMB, and more.
DataForSEO: https://dataforseo.com
🧠 Common Errors and Fixes
❗ Error: “ENOMEM” (Out of Memory)
If you run large workflows or AI agents and get this error, try these two fixes:
✅ Fix 1: Clear Execution Memory
- Click “Clear Execution Data”
- Save your flow
- Refresh the N8N page (
localhost:5678)
✅ Fix 2: Increase Node.js Memory Limit
By default, Node.js uses only 2GB RAM. To increase it:
node --max-old-space-size=4096 `which n8n`
This increases it to 4GB (adjust based on your system). Don’t allocate all RAM—leave enough for your OS.
⚠️ Offline vs. Online Version: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Local Version | Cloud Version |
|---|---|---|
| Free | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| License Needed | ✅ Free key | ✅ Paid plan |
| Works 24/7 | ❌ Only when PC is on | ✅ Yes |
| Custom Node Support | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited |
| Auto Backups | ❌ Manual | ✅ Cloud Backup |
| Internet Dependency | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
💡 Pro Tip: Use Local Version for Development
- Ideal for testing workflows
- Great for building AI agents or SEO automations
- Saves money
- Full community support with custom node installation
But for production-level usage or client-facing bots, either:
- Pay for the cloud version, or
- Set up a dedicated 24/7 server (like a Raspberry Pi or old desktop)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use this local version permanently?
Yes! As long as you activate it with a free key.
Q: Can I use custom APIs like OpenAI or Gemini?
Absolutely. Just add HTTP Request nodes and configure the API.
Q: Will my agents stop working if I shut down my PC?
Yes. N8N runs only while your PC is on and connected.
📝 Tags:
n8n local installation, n8n setup guide, nodejs installation, run n8n for free, n8n troubleshooting, SEO automation with n8n, dataforseo integration, AI agent builder, n8n command line, localhost n8n
🔖 Hashtags:
#N8N #AutomationTools #NodeJS #AIWorkflows #DataForSEO #N8NTutorial #SEOAutomation #N8NLocal #NoCodeAutomation #OpenSourceAutomation
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This tutorial is intended for educational and development purposes. Running N8N in a production environment locally requires adequate hardware, uptime, and backup management. Use third-party nodes like DataForSEO according to their licensing terms.
If you found this guide helpful and plan to use N8N for automation or SEO, consider bookmarking this article and sharing it with your team. Want to see how to deploy N8N on a remote VPS server next? Let me know, and I’ll create that tutorial too!
