n8n is a powerful automation platform, but deciding between n8n Cloud and self-hosted options can be tricky. Both offer robust capabilities, but cater to different users. n8n Cloud provides a hassle-free, managed experience, while self-hosting grants greater control and customization. Understanding the feature differences is key to selecting the best fit for your automation needs. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.
n8n Cloud vs. Self-Hosted: Key Feature Differences
The core functionality of n8n, such as workflow creation and node integrations, remains consistent across both Cloud and self-hosted versions. However, several key features differentiate the two.
Ease of Use and Setup
- n8n Cloud: Ready to use immediately. No server configuration, updates, or maintenance required. Ideal for users who prefer a managed solution.
- Self-Hosted: Requires technical knowledge to set up and maintain. You’re responsible for server configuration, updates, and security. Offers more control but demands more effort.
Control and Customization
- n8n Cloud: Limited customization options. You rely on n8n’s infrastructure and configurations.
- Self-Hosted: Full control over your environment. You can customize server settings, database configurations, and security measures to match your specific requirements. As Pixeljets.com puts it, “Self hosted is awesome if you know a bit of Docker.”
Collaboration and User Management
- n8n Cloud (Paid Plans): Offers collaborative features like workflow sharing, user roles, and access control.
- Self-Hosted (Community Edition): Lacks built-in collaboration features in the free version. Collaboration can be achieved through exporting and importing workflows or using Git for version control. Enterprise plans offer enhanced collaboration features.
Security
- n8n Cloud: Security is managed by n8n. They handle infrastructure security, data encryption, and compliance.
- Self-Hosted: You are responsible for securing your n8n instance. This includes setting up SSL, configuring firewalls, and implementing security best practices. (Think of it like locking your front door versus living in a gated community—both offer security, but one requires more active involvement.)
Updates and Maintenance
- n8n Cloud: n8n handles all updates and maintenance. You always have the latest version without any effort.
- Self-Hosted: You are responsible for updating n8n and maintaining the server. This requires monitoring for new releases and applying updates manually.
Pricing
- n8n Cloud: Subscription-based pricing with various plans based on usage and features. Offers a free trial and paid plans to scale with your needs.
- Self-Hosted (Community Edition): Free to use with no limitations on workflows or executions. However, it lacks some advanced features found in paid plans.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | n8n Cloud | Self-Hosted (Community) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Easy, no setup required | Requires technical knowledge |
| Maintenance | Managed by n8n | User responsibility |
| Control | Limited | Full control |
| Collaboration | Built-in (Paid Plans) | Limited (Free), Enhanced with Enterprise Plan |
| Security | Managed by n8n | User responsibility |
| Updates | Automatic | Manual |
| Pricing | Subscription-based | Free |
| Global Variables | Yes (Paid Plans) | No |
| Execution Search | Yes (Paid Plans) | No |
| Version Control (Git) | Yes (Enterprise Plan) | No |
| External Secret Store | Yes (Enterprise Plan) | No |
Real-World Example: E-commerce Automation
Let’s imagine an e-commerce business automating its order fulfillment process.
- n8n Cloud: The business can quickly connect their Shopify store to a Google Sheet to track new orders. They can easily set up email notifications for order confirmations without worrying about server maintenance.
- Self-Hosted: A tech-savvy e-commerce company might choose self-hosting to integrate n8n with their custom-built inventory management system. They can fine-tune the server for optimal performance and ensure data privacy by hosting everything on their own infrastructure.
Making the Right Choice
Choosing between n8n Cloud and self-hosted depends on your technical expertise, budget, and control requirements. If you want a hassle-free experience and value collaboration features, n8n Cloud is a great choice. If you need full control, customization, and are comfortable with server management, self-hosting is the way to go. Either way, n8n provides a powerful platform to automate your workflows and boost productivity.
