When exploring n8n, one of the most common questions is about its self-hosted pricing. The short answer is that for most individuals, startups, and small businesses, self-hosting n8n is free through its Community Edition. This version provides access to nearly all of n8n’s core features, allowing you to run unlimited workflows and executions on your own hardware without a license fee. The primary costs are for your server infrastructure and the time required for setup and maintenance. For larger organizations needing advanced security, user management, and dedicated support, n8n offers a paid, self-hosted Enterprise Plan with custom pricing.
The Heart of Self-Hosting: The Free Community Edition
Let’s get straight to the point: the n8n Community Edition is a powerhouse. When you decide to self-host, this is the version you’ll likely start with. It’s not a trial or a stripped-down demo; it’s a nearly complete version of the platform that gives you incredible power right out of the box.
So, what’s the catch? Is it really free?
In terms of licensing fees, yes, it is. n8n operates under a “fair-code” license. Think of it like this: as long as you’re using n8n for your own internal company automations or building workflows for clients, you’re good to go. The main restriction is that you can’t use the Community Edition to build and sell a direct competitor to n8n’s own cloud service. For 99% of users, this is a non-issue.
The real “cost” isn’t in dollars paid to n8n, but in the resources you provide.
Understanding the Real Costs of a “Free” Self-Hosted Setup
I’ve set up dozens of n8n instances for clients and my own projects, and while you don’t write a check to n8n for the Community Edition, it’s not without its costs. Let’s be honest about what you’re really paying for.
1. Server and Infrastructure Costs
Your n8n instance needs a place to live. This means paying for a server from a provider like DigitalOcean, Vultr, or Hetzner. The good news? n8n is surprisingly lightweight. You can get a perfectly capable server for a basic setup for as little as €5-€10 per month. This is a far cry from the hundreds you might spend on other platforms for a similar level of execution power. You’re paying for the compute resources, not the software itself.
2. The Time and Expertise Investment
This is the biggest hidden cost. Setting up n8n, while streamlined with Docker, still requires a bit of technical know-how. You’ll need to be comfortable with the command line, understand how to configure a reverse proxy (like Nginx) to handle HTTPS, and be prepared to manage updates and backups. It’s not rocket science, but it’s not one-click-and-forget, either.
3. The OAuth and API Key Gauntlet
Here’s a pain point many new self-hosters run into. When you use n8n’s cloud version, connecting to services like Google Sheets or Google Calendar is a breeze because n8n has already handled the complicated OAuth 2.0 setup. When you self-host, that responsibility falls on you. You’ll have to venture into the Google Cloud Console to create your own OAuth client, define scopes, and add authorized redirect URIs. It’s a doable, well-documented process, but I can tell you from experience, it can be a frustrating 20-minute detour that makes you appreciate the convenience of managed services.
When to Pay: The n8n Enterprise Plan
So, if the Community Edition is so great, why would anyone pay for a self-hosted plan? The answer lies in scale, security, and support. The n8n Enterprise plan is designed for businesses where automation is mission-critical and subject to strict compliance and governance requirements.
You should consider the Enterprise plan when you need features like:
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Integration with SAML and LDAP for centralized user authentication.
- Advanced User Roles & Permissions: Granular control over who can create, edit, and view workflows and credentials.
- Version Control with Git: A game-changer for development teams who want to manage workflow changes in a structured, collaborative way.
- Dedicated Support with SLAs: When a workflow breaks, you can’t wait for a community forum response. Enterprise gets you a direct line to n8n’s support team.
- Advanced Scaling Options: Tools to help you manage high-volume workloads across multiple instances.
Pricing is customized based on your needs, so you’ll need to contact their sales team for a quote.
Quick Comparison: Community vs. Enterprise (Self-Hosted)
| Feature | Community Edition | Enterprise Edition |
|---|---|---|
| License Cost | $0 (Free) | Custom Quote |
| Core Functionality | Unlimited Workflows & Executions | Unlimited Workflows & Executions |
| User Management | Basic (Owner) | Advanced Roles, SSO/LDAP |
| Support | Community Forum, Discord | Dedicated Support with SLA |
| Scaling | Basic Worker Setup | Advanced Scaling Features |
| Version Control | Manual (Export/Import) | Native Git Integration |
| Security | Self-Managed | Enhanced (Audit Logs, etc.) |
The Great Pricing Debate: Why Have Any Limits at All?
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. A common sentiment in the community, especially from those considering paid plans, is: “If I’m paying for the software and paying for my own server, why should there be any limits, like on active workflows?”
It’s a valid question. The founder of n8n, Jan, has addressed this directly, explaining that they have to charge for something to build a sustainable business. They could have charged per execution or per task, like many competitors (a model that would be vastly more expensive for users with complex workflows). Instead, they chose to meter the paid plans by the number of active workflows.
This model aligns value with usage in a predictable way. A company with 500 active workflows is almost certainly getting more value from the platform than one with 10. It’s a compromise that allows n8n to offer an incredibly generous free product while still having a path to revenue that funds the entire project—including the free Community Edition we all love.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. For most, the Community Edition is an unbeatable proposition. You get an enterprise-grade automation tool for the price of a cheap VPS. And when your organization’s needs for governance and support mature, the Enterprise plan is there, ready to take your automations to the next level.
