Choosing between n8n Cloud and a Self-Hosted instance is a critical first step in your automation journey. The primary difference lies in the trade-off between convenience and control: n8n Cloud is a fully managed, hosted solution that offers ease of use, automatic updates, and advanced collaboration features out-of-the-box, making it ideal for teams and individuals who want to focus on building workflows. In contrast, n8n Self-Hosted (Community) provides ultimate control over your data, environment, and costs, but requires technical expertise for setup, maintenance, and scaling, making it a better fit for developers or organizations with strict data sovereignty requirements.
So, you’ve discovered the power of n8n and you’re ready to dive in. Fantastic! But right at the start, you hit a fork in the road: Cloud or Self-Hosted? It’s a question I see pop up all the time, and let’s be honest, the answer isn’t always obvious. It’s not about which one is better, but which one is the right fit for you, your team, and your project. Think of it like deciding between leasing a brand-new, fully-serviced car versus buying a classic and wrenching on it yourself. Both get you from A to B, but the experience, cost, and responsibilities are worlds apart.
The Core Dilemma: Convenience vs. Control
At its heart, the choice boils down to this simple trade-off. Do you want a platform that “just works” right out of the gate, or do you need granular control over every aspect of your automation engine?
n8n Cloud is the leasing option. You sign up, get your keys, and start driving. The n8n team handles all the oil changes (updates), engine checks (security), and roadside assistance (support). It’s predictable, reliable, and lets you focus on the journey.
n8n Self-Hosted, on the other hand, is for the tinkerer, the master mechanic. You own the machine. You can install it on any server you want—be it a Raspberry Pi in your closet or a beefy AWS instance. You decide when to update, how to configure security, and what custom parts (nodes) to install. This offers incredible freedom and can be very cost-effective, but if the engine sputters, you’re the one popping the hood.
In-Depth n8n Cloud vs Self-Hosted Features Comparison
To really get into the weeds, let’s break down the key differences in a more structured way. This table compares n8n Cloud (paid plans) against the free, Community version of self-hosted n8n.
| Feature | n8n Cloud | n8n Self-Hosted (Community) | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Workflow Engine | Identical | Identical | The heart of n8n is the same. You can build the same powerful workflows on both. |
| Setup & Maintenance | Instant setup, zero maintenance | Requires server setup, Docker/npm knowledge, and ongoing maintenance. | This is the biggest differentiator. How much time do you want to spend on infrastructure? |
| Updates | Automatic & managed | Manual. You decide when and how to update your instance. | Cloud keeps you on the cutting edge; self-hosted gives you stability control. |
| Team Collaboration | Built-in user roles, RBAC, and shared credentials. | Limited to a single user in the free version. | For teams, n8n Cloud is the clear winner for seamless collaboration. |
| Version Control (Git) | Available on Pro/Enterprise plans | Not available in the Community version. | Critical for serious development workflows and team environments. |
| OAuth2 Setup | Pre-configured (e.g., “Sign in with Google” button) | Manual configuration required for each service. | Cloud saves you a ton of time setting up credentials for popular services. |
| Cost | Predictable monthly/annual subscription. | Can be free (if you have spare hardware) but has hidden costs (server, your time). | Don’t forget to calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for self-hosting! |
| Scalability | Managed by n8n. Scales based on your plan. | Your responsibility. You must configure scaling, queue mode, and worker processes. | Self-hosting offers limitless scaling potential, but requires advanced DevOps skills. |
| Support | Official support included in paid plans. | Community-based support via forums and Discord. | Do you need a direct line for help, or are you comfortable with community resources? |
A Tale of Two Setups: A Real-World Example
Nothing makes this clearer than a practical example. I was helping a small marketing agency get started with n8n. They wanted to build a simple workflow: when a new row is added to a Google Sheet, post a summary to a Slack channel.
On n8n Cloud, this was a 10-minute job. When creating the Google Sheets credentials, they just clicked “Sign in with Google,” authenticated, and were done. The magic was handled behind the scenes by n8n’s pre-configured OAuth app.
Now, for a self-hosted user, the process is different. To connect to Google Sheets, you can’t just click a button. You have to go into the Google Cloud Console, create a new project, enable the Sheets API, create OAuth 2.0 credentials, copy the Client ID and Secret, and paste them back into your n8n instance. It’s not rocket science, but it’s a perfect illustration of the convenience-for-control trade-off. It’s a 20-step process versus a 1-click process.
So, Who is Each Platform For?
After all this, you might have a good idea of where you land, but let’s spell it out.
n8n Cloud is Perfect for:
- Startups and SMBs: Teams that need to move fast and can’t afford a dedicated DevOps person.
- Collaborative Teams: If you have multiple people building or using workflows, the built-in user management is essential.
- Non-Developers: Marketers, operations managers, and business owners who want the power of automation without the technical overhead.
n8n Self-Hosted is a Great Fit for:
- Developers & Hobbyists: Anyone who enjoys managing their own infrastructure and wants ultimate control.
- Data-Sensitive Organizations: Companies with strict data privacy policies (like GDPR or HIPAA) that require data to stay on their own servers.
- Highly Custom Use Cases: If you need to run n8n in an air-gapped network or integrate with internal systems that aren’t public-facing.
It’s Not About Better, It’s About Fit
Ultimately, there is no universal “best” choice. The n8n Cloud vs Self-Hosted decision is deeply personal to your situation. My advice? Start with the free n8n Cloud trial. It’s the fastest way to experience the platform’s full potential. Build a few workflows, get a feel for the UI, and see if it meets your needs. If you find yourself craving more control, hitting usage limits, or needing to satisfy a compliance officer, you’ll know it’s time to explore the powerful and rewarding path of self-hosting.
