How to use ffmpeg with n8n cloud (NO SELF HOSTING!)

Learn how to automate video editing with FFmpeg and n8n.cloud without hosting anything yourself. This guide shows you how to set up complete video editing automations using the safe, well-supported n8n.cloud platform in less than 10 minutes.

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What You'll Learn

  • ✅ Cloud-Based Automation - Use n8n.cloud to automate video editing without server maintenance
  • ✅ FFmpeg via API - Access powerful FFmpeg features through FFmpeg Micro's API
  • ✅ Video Processing Workflows - Combine videos, add music, create text overlays, trim, resize, and more
  • ✅ N8N Cloud Setup - Get up and running with n8n.cloud in minutes
  • ✅ Complete Automation Files - Import ready-to-use workflows for immediate productivity
  • ✅ No Technical Background Needed - Step-by-step guide for non-technical users

The Complete Workflow

The downloaded automation includes 4 workflow files:

  1. MAIN Controller - The primary workflow that orchestrates the entire video processing pipeline
  2. [SUB] Upload File - Handles uploading video files to FFmpeg Micro
  3. [SUB] Extract Metadata - Retrieves video metadata for processing decisions
  4. [SUB] Wait for Transcode - Monitors and waits for video processing completion

Why n8n.cloud + FFmpeg Micro?

  • 🚀 No Server Maintenance - Use n8n.cloud's managed platform instead of self-hosting
  • ⏱️ Quick Setup - Get started in less than 10 minutes, no technical expertise required
  • 🔒 Safe & Supported - Well-maintained platform with regular updates and support
  • 💰 Cost-Effective - Low total cost of ownership without needing dedicated IT staff
  • 👥 Team Access - Easy collaboration for small to medium teams
  • ⚡ Reliable - Low risk of downtime compared to self-hosted solutions

Cost Breakdown

This solution is incredibly affordable:

  • • n8n.cloud: Starts at $20/month with a free trial
  • • FFmpeg Micro: Generous free tier, many users stay on it for quite a while
  • • Total: Free to get started, low monthly cost for serious automation
  • • No Hidden Costs: No server costs, maintenance fees, or IT overhead

What You Can Do

  • 🎬 Combine Videos - Stitch multiple clips together with transitions
  • 🎵 Add Audio - Merge background music or voiceovers
  • 📝 Text Overlays - Add captions, titles, and subtitles
  • ✂️ Trim & Cut - Extract specific segments from videos
  • 📐 Resize & Crop - Adjust video dimensions and framing
  • 🔄 Format Conversion - Convert between video formats
  • 📊 Extract Metadata - Get video information for automation decisions

Prerequisites

  • • n8n.cloud account (free trial available)
  • • FFmpeg Micro account (free tier available)
  • • No coding or server management skills required!
  • • Basic understanding of workflow automation concepts (helpful but not required)

Perfect For

  • • Small to medium teams needing to move fast
  • • Non-technical users who want powerful automation
  • • Teams without dedicated IT/DevOps staff
  • • Anyone who wants reliable automation without server maintenance risk
  • • Content creators looking to scale video production

Ready to Automate?

Process videos at scale with FFmpeg Micro's API. No servers to manage.

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