n8n Cloud vs. Self-Hosted: Which is Right for You?

n8n Cloud vs. Self-Hosted: Choosing Your Automation Adventure

n8n offers powerful workflow automation, but deciding how to run it – using the managed n8n Cloud service or deploying it yourself via Self-Hosted – is a critical first step. Choosing between n8n Cloud and Self-Hosted impacts cost, control, required technical expertise, feature availability, and maintenance responsibilities. This comprehensive guide dives deep into the nuances of each option, comparing them across key factors like pricing, technical requirements, available features, customization potential, scalability, and security, empowering you to select the n8n deployment strategy that perfectly aligns with your needs, resources, and automation ambitions.

So, you’re ready to harness the power of n8n to connect apps, automate tasks, and generally make your digital life easier. Awesome choice! But right out of the gate, you hit a fork in the road: n8n Cloud or n8n Self-Hosted? It’s kind of like deciding whether to rent a fully furnished apartment downtown (Cloud) or buy a plot of land and build your dream house from scratch (Self-Hosted). Both get you a place to live, but the experience, cost, and responsibilities are wildly different.

Let’s break down these two paths to help you figure out which adventure suits you best.

What are n8n Cloud and n8n Self-Hosted Anyway?

Before we pit them against each other, let’s get clear on what we’re talking about.

n8n Cloud: The Managed, Hassle-Free Experience

Think of n8n Cloud as the “automation-as-a-service” option. You sign up, choose a plan, and n8n handles all the backend stuff:

• Infrastructure: Servers, databases, networking – it’s all managed by the n8n team.
• Updates: New features and security patches? Applied automatically (or with a simple click).
• Maintenance: No need to worry about server uptime or database backups.
• Setup: It’s practically instant. Sign up, log in, and start building workflows.

It’s designed for ease of use and speed, letting you focus purely on building automations without getting bogged down in server administration. You pay a subscription fee based on your usage tier (more on that later).

n8n Self-Hosted: Taking the Reins (and the Responsibility)

Self-hosting means you download the n8n software (it’s open-source, which is pretty cool) and run it on your own infrastructure. This could be:

• Your local computer (great for testing, not for production).
• A server in your office.
• A virtual private server (VPS) from providers like DigitalOcean, Hetzner (a community favorite for affordability!), AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Using Docker containers (the highly recommended method for easier management).

With self-hosting, you are the system administrator. You control the hardware (or virtual hardware), the operating system, the database, the updates, the security configurations, and the scaling. This path offers maximum control and potential cost savings (especially with the free Community edition) but demands technical know-how.

Key Decision Factors: Cloud vs. Self-Hosted Head-to-Head

Alright, let’s dissect the core differences that will likely sway your decision.

1. Cost: Subscription Fees vs. Infrastructure (+ Your Time)

This is often the first question, right? How much is this going to set me back?

• n8n Cloud: Follows a tiered subscription model (e.g., Starter, Pro). You pay a monthly or annual fee based on factors like the number of active workflows and executions. A major plus, as highlighted by many users, is that n8n Cloud plans generally don’t charge per individual step or task within a workflow run, unlike some competitors. This can lead to significant savings on complex workflows. Prices start around $20/month, making it accessible.
• n8n Self-Hosted:
  • Community Edition: The software itself is FREE under n8n’s Sustainable Use License (essentially free unless you’re directly exposing n8n features within your own competing SaaS product). Your costs are primarily the infrastructure: server hosting (can be as low as €5-€10/month with providers like Hetzner), possibly a domain name, and crucially, your time for setup and maintenance.
  • Enterprise Edition: If you need premium self-hosted features (like SSO, role-based access control, Git-based versioning), there’s a paid Enterprise license. You’ll need to contact n8n sales for pricing, but you still bear the infrastructure costs.

Cost Comparison Snapshot

Takeaway: If you’re budget-conscious and technically capable, Self-Hosted Community is incredibly compelling. If you prefer predictable costs and minimal hassle, Cloud is the way to go.

2. Technical Expertise & Management Burden

How comfortable are you with server management, Docker, command lines, and troubleshooting infrastructure issues?

• n8n Cloud: Requires minimal technical skill. If you can use web applications, you can use n8n Cloud. The n8n team handles all the tricky bits. Updates are managed, security is handled at the infrastructure level by them. It just works.
• n8n Self-Hosted: This is where the technical demands ramp up significantly. You’ll need to be comfortable with:
  • Setting up servers (Linux knowledge is often beneficial).
  • Working with Docker and Docker Compose (highly recommended for deployment).
  • Configuring reverse proxies (like Nginx or Caddy) for secure HTTPS access.
  • Managing updates manually (pulling new Docker images, testing, deploying).
  • Handling security (firewalls, OS patching, securing n8n itself).
  • Troubleshooting performance issues or crashes.
  • Setting up external services like Google OAuth clients (a common pain point mentioned by developers – it takes time and navigating the Google Cloud Console).

Takeaway: Be honest about your technical skills and time availability. If server admin isn’t your forte or you simply don’t have the time, Cloud is the clear winner. If you enjoy tinkering or have IT resources, Self-Hosted offers more freedom.

3. Features: Core vs. Advanced vs. Unique Perks

Does one option offer more automation firepower?

• Core Functionality: Both Cloud and Self-Hosted (even the free Community edition) offer the same fantastic core n8n experience: the visual workflow editor, hundreds of nodes for integrating services, core logic nodes (If, Switch, Merge), manual and webhook triggers, etc. You can build powerful automations on either.
• Advanced Features (Cloud Paid Plans / Self-Hosted Enterprise): Certain features are typically reserved for paid tiers:
  • Collaboration: Multiple users working on workflows together.
  • SSO/SAML/LDAP: Integrating with your company’s user authentication system.
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Granular permissions for different users/teams.
  • Execution Search & History: More detailed logging and searching capabilities.
  • Global Variables: Easily reusable variables across workflows.
  • Source Control (Git): Versioning workflows using Git repositories.
  • Environments: Separate development, staging, and production environments.
  • Log Streaming: Sending logs to external systems.
  • External Secret Stores: Integrating with tools like HashiCorp Vault.
• Unique Self-Hosted (Community) Perk: One significant advantage noted by developers using the free self-hosted version is the ability to easily install and use external npm packages within the Code node. This unlocks immense power for custom JavaScript code, allowing you to leverage almost any library from the Node.js ecosystem. This isn’t typically possible (or is much more restricted) on Cloud plans due to security and environment constraints. Python execution is also possible in the Code node on Self-Hosted.

Feature Comparison Glimpse

Takeaway: For core automation, both are great. If you need enterprise features like SSO or advanced collaboration, you’ll need a paid Cloud plan or the Self-Hosted Enterprise license. If you heavily rely on custom code with specific external libraries, Self-Hosted Community offers a unique edge.

4. Customization and Control

How much do you want to tweak the environment n8n runs in?

• n8n Cloud: You operate within the environment n8n provides. Customization is limited to n8n’s own settings and features. You can’t install custom system dependencies or directly access the underlying database.
• n8n Self-Hosted: You have ultimate control.
  • Choose your hardware specs.
  • Install any OS-level dependencies needed for specific nodes (e.g., graphics libraries for image manipulation).
  • Configure environment variables extensively to fine-tune n8n’s behavior.
  • Directly access and manage the n8n database (Postgres or MySQL recommended over default SQLite for production).
  • Easily install custom community nodes or your own private nodes.
  • Set up complex networking or firewall rules if needed.

Takeaway: If you need deep control over the operating environment, specific dependencies, or direct database access, Self-Hosted is the only option.

5. Scalability: Growing Your Automations

What happens when your automation needs explode?

• n8n Cloud: Scaling is generally handled by upgrading your plan. Higher tiers offer more execution capacity and potentially dedicated resources. n8n manages the underlying infrastructure scaling.
• n8n Self-Hosted: Scaling is your responsibility. This involves:
  • Increasing server resources (CPU, RAM, Disk).
  • Optimizing your database.
  • Potentially implementing n8n’s queue mode with multiple worker instances for handling high volumes of executions concurrently. This requires a more complex setup (e.g., using Redis).

Takeaway: Cloud offers simpler, managed scaling. Self-hosted provides more granular control over scaling mechanisms but requires technical planning and implementation.

6. Security: Whose Responsibility Is It?

Keeping your data and automations secure is paramount.

• n8n Cloud: Follows a shared responsibility model. n8n secures the underlying infrastructure, network, and application platform. You are responsible for managing user access, securing your credentials within n8n, and building secure workflows.
• n8n Self-Hosted: Security is almost entirely your responsibility. This includes:
  • Securing the server OS.
  • Configuring firewalls.
  • Setting up HTTPS (essential!).
  • Keeping n8n and all system dependencies updated.
  • Securing database access.
  • Managing user credentials and access within n8n.

Takeaway: Cloud offloads a significant portion of the security burden. Self-hosted requires diligent security practices from the ground up.

7. Setup & Onboarding

How quickly can you get started?

• n8n Cloud: Near-instant. Sign up, verify your email, and you’re in the workflow editor.
• n8n Self-Hosted: Requires time and effort. Even with Docker, you need to:
  • Provision a server.
  • Install Docker.
  • Configure Docker Compose or run Docker commands.
  • Set up a reverse proxy and SSL certificates.
  • (Often) Configure OAuth clients for services like Google, which can be fiddly.

Takeaway: Cloud offers the fastest path from zero to automation.

Real-World Scenario: Choosing for a Small Marketing Agency

Let’s imagine “PixelPushers Marketing,” a small agency needing automation for:

• Syncing new leads from website forms (Typeform) to their CRM (HubSpot).
• Posting social media updates (Buffer) based on a content calendar (Google Sheets).
• Generating basic client reports by pulling data from Google Analytics and Ads into a Google Sheet.

Option 1: Go Cloud
The agency owner, Sarah, is great at marketing but not a server admin. She wants something quick, reliable, and low-maintenance.

• Pros: Fast setup, no tech headaches, predictable cost, automatic updates.
• Cons: Monthly fee, slightly less control if they ever need very specific customizations.
• Verdict: n8n Cloud (likely Starter plan) is perfect. It lets Sarah focus on marketing tasks, not IT.

Option 2: Go Self-Hosted (Community)
The agency has Ben, a tech-savvy team member who enjoys tinkering and wants to minimize monthly software costs.

• Pros: No software cost, potential for advanced customization (e.g., using a specific reporting library via the Code node’s npm access), full control.
• Cons: Ben needs to dedicate time for setup and ongoing maintenance (updates, security). If Ben leaves, someone else needs the skills. Potential downtime if misconfigured. Setting up Google OAuth will take Ben some focused effort.
• Verdict: Self-Hosted Community is viable if Ben has the time and expertise, and the agency accepts the maintenance responsibility. The cost savings could be attractive, and the ability to use external npm libraries might be a bonus for custom reporting needs.

When is Self-Hosted Clearly the Winner?

• You need absolute control: Data sovereignty, specific compliance requirements (HIPAA, GDPR might be easier to manage on your own infra sometimes).
• Heavy Code Node User: You rely extensively on custom JavaScript/Python and need specific external libraries (npm/pip).
• Extreme Budget Constraints (with Tech Skills): The free Community edition paired with cheap hosting is unbeatable on price if you have the skills.
• Air-gapped or Internal Networks: You need n8n to run entirely within your private network without internet access (though this limits many nodes).
• You Enjoy Server Management: Some people just like being in control!

When Does n8n Cloud Shine Brightest?

• Ease of Use is Top Priority: You want to focus only on building workflows.
• Limited Technical Resources: No dedicated IT staff or server admin skills in-house.
• Fast Deployment Needed: You need to get automations running yesterday.
• Predictable Costs Preferred: You like knowing exactly what your automation platform costs each month.
• Automatic Updates & Managed Security: You value the peace of mind that comes with a managed service.

Making the Final Decision: Ask Yourself This…

Still undecided? Grab a coffee and mull over these questions:

1. How technical am I (or my team)? Be brutally honest.
2. What’s my budget for both software fees and hosting/time?
3. Do I need features like SSO, RBAC, or Git-sync right now (or soon)? (Points towards Paid Cloud or Enterprise Self-hosted)
4. How crucial is using specific external libraries in custom code? (Points towards Self-hosted)
5. How much time can I realistically dedicate to setup and ongoing maintenance?
6. What are my security requirements and capabilities?
7. How fast do I need to get started?

Conclusion: Your n8n, Your Way

There’s no single “best” way to run n8n – only the best way for you. Both n8n Cloud and Self-Hosted offer the same powerful core automation engine.

• n8n Cloud offers convenience, speed, and peace of mind, making it ideal for users who prioritize ease of use and want a managed solution.
• n8n Self-Hosted provides ultimate control, customization, and potential cost savings (especially the free Community edition), perfect for technically proficient users or those with specific requirements not met by the Cloud offering.

The beauty is, you can often try before you fully commit. Spin up a free n8n Cloud trial or deploy the Self-Hosted Community edition on a cheap VPS for a week. Build a few test workflows. See how it feels. Whichever path you choose, you’re embarking on a rewarding journey into the world of automation with a fantastic tool. Happy automating!