Using n8n Cloud vs Self Hosted

Choosing between n8n Cloud and self-hosted deployment is one of the most important decisions you'll make when implementing workflow automation for your organization. Each approach offers distinct advantages and comes with specific trade-offs that can significantly impact your automation strategy, costs, and operational requirements. This comprehensive guide will help you understand both options and make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

Understanding Your Options

n8n Cloud: Managed Hosting

n8n Cloud is the official managed service provided by the n8n team. It handles all infrastructure, maintenance, security, and scaling concerns, allowing you to focus entirely on building and managing your workflows.

Self-Hosted: Complete Control

Self-hosted n8n means installing and running the platform on your own infrastructure, whether that's on-premises servers, cloud instances, or containerized environments. You maintain complete control over the deployment, configuration, and data.

Detailed Feature Comparison

Core Functionality

Collaboration & User Management

Enterprise Features

Pricing Analysis

n8n Cloud Pricing (2025)

Starter Plan: 24/month(20 annually)

• 30,000 workflow executions/year

• 1 shared project

• 5 concurrent executions

• Unlimited users

• Forum support

Pro Plan: 60/month(50 annually)

• 120,000 workflow executions/year

• 3 shared projects

• 20 concurrent executions

• 7 days of insights

• Admin roles and global variables

Enterprise Plan: Custom Pricing

• Custom execution limits

• Unlimited shared projects

• 200+ concurrent executions

• 365 days of insights

• Dedicated support with SLA

• Advanced security features

Self-Hosted Pricing

Community Edition: Free

• Unlimited workflows and executions

• All core features

• Single-user deployment

• Community support only

Business Plan: 800/month(667 annually)

• 480,000 workflow executions/year

• 6 shared projects

• Advanced collaboration features

• SSO and security features

• Forum support

Enterprise Plan: Custom Pricing

• Custom execution limits

• Unlimited shared projects

• Full enterprise features

• Dedicated support with SLA

Cost Comparison Scenarios

Small Business (10,000 executions/month)

• n8n Cloud Starter: $240/year

• Self-Hosted Community: $0 (infrastructure costs separate)

• Self-Hosted Business: $8,000/year (if collaboration needed)

Medium Business (50,000 executions/month)

• n8n Cloud Pro: $600/year (may need higher tier)

• Self-Hosted Community: 0+infrastructure( 500-2000/year)

• Self-Hosted Business: $8,000/year + infrastructure

Large Enterprise (500,000+ executions/month)

• n8n Cloud Enterprise: Custom (likely $5,000-15,000+/year)

• Self-Hosted Enterprise: Custom + infrastructure costs

Advantages of n8n Cloud

1. Zero Maintenance Overhead

• No server management or updates required

• Automatic security patches and upgrades

• Built-in monitoring and alerting

• Professional infrastructure management

2. Instant Scalability

• Automatic scaling based on demand

• No capacity planning required

• Built-in load balancing

• Global CDN for optimal performance

3. Professional Support

• Dedicated support channels (paid plans)

• Direct access to n8n development team

• Guaranteed response times with SLAs

• Expert guidance on best practices

4. Enhanced Security

• SOC 2 compliance

• Regular security audits

• Professional security monitoring

• Data encryption at rest and in transit

5. Rapid Deployment

• Instant setup and deployment

• No technical expertise required

• Pre-configured optimal settings

• Immediate access to latest features

6. Predictable Costs

• Fixed monthly/annual pricing

• No infrastructure surprises

• Transparent execution-based billing

• No hidden operational costs

Advantages of Self-Hosted

1. Complete Data Control

• Data never leaves your infrastructure

• Full compliance with data residency requirements

• Custom data retention policies

• Integration with existing security systems

2. Unlimited Customization

• Custom node development and deployment

• Tailored configurations for specific needs

• Integration with proprietary systems

• Custom authentication mechanisms

3. Cost Efficiency at Scale

• No per-execution fees (Community Edition)

• Lower long-term costs for high-volume usage

• Leverage existing infrastructure investments

• No vendor lock-in concerns

4. Enhanced Security Control

• Custom security implementations

• Integration with existing security tools

• Air-gapped deployments possible

• Full audit trail control

5. Performance Optimization

• Hardware optimization for specific workloads

• Custom caching strategies

• Optimized network configurations

• Direct database access and tuning

6. Regulatory Compliance

• Meet specific industry requirements

• Custom compliance implementations

• Full control over data processing

• Detailed audit capabilities

Disadvantages of n8n Cloud

1. Limited Customization

• Restricted to supported configurations

• Cannot install custom system-level dependencies

• Limited control over infrastructure settings

• Vendor-dependent feature roadmap

2. Data Location Concerns

• Data stored in n8n's infrastructure (EU-based)

• Limited control over data residency

• Potential compliance challenges

• Dependency on vendor security practices

3. Execution-Based Pricing

• Costs can become unpredictable with growth

• Expensive for high-volume scenarios

• No control over pricing changes

• Potential for bill shock with usage spikes

4. Vendor Lock-in

• Migration complexity if switching providers

• Dependency on n8n's business continuity

• Limited negotiation power

• Potential service discontinuation risks

5. Internet Dependency

• Requires stable internet connection

• Potential latency for on-premises integrations

• Limited offline capabilities

• Network outages affect operations

Disadvantages of Self-Hosted

1. Technical Complexity

• Requires server administration expertise

• Complex initial setup and configuration

• Ongoing maintenance responsibilities

• Troubleshooting and debugging challenges

2. Operational Overhead

• Regular updates and security patches

• Monitoring and alerting setup

• Backup and disaster recovery planning

• Performance optimization requirements

3. Security Responsibilities

• Full responsibility for security implementation

• Regular security audits and updates

• Vulnerability management

• Compliance implementation and maintenance

4. Infrastructure Costs

• Server hardware or cloud instance costs

• Database and storage expenses

• Network and bandwidth costs

• Backup and disaster recovery infrastructure

5. Limited Support

• Community support only (unless paid plan)

• Longer resolution times for issues

• Self-reliance for troubleshooting

• No guaranteed response times

6. Scaling Challenges

• Manual capacity planning required

• Complex load balancing setup

• Database scaling considerations

• Performance optimization complexity

Decision Framework

Choose n8n Cloud If:

Technical Factors

• Limited technical expertise in server management

• No dedicated DevOps or IT team

• Need rapid deployment and time-to-value

• Prefer managed infrastructure

Business Factors

• Small to medium execution volumes

• Budget for predictable monthly costs

• Need professional support and SLAs

• Want to focus on workflow development, not infrastructure

Compliance Factors

• EU data residency is acceptable

• Standard security requirements

• No strict air-gap requirements

• SOC 2 compliance is sufficient

Choose Self-Hosted If:

Technical Factors

• Strong technical team with server expertise

• Existing infrastructure investments

• Need for custom integrations and modifications

• High-volume execution requirements

Business Factors

• Long-term cost optimization priorities

• Need for complete vendor independence

• Existing infrastructure and expertise

• High-volume automation requirements

Compliance Factors

• Strict data residency requirements

• Need for air-gapped deployments

• Custom compliance requirements

• Full audit trail control needed

Migration Considerations

Cloud to Self-Hosted Migration

• Export workflows and credentials

• Set up infrastructure and dependencies

• Configure user accounts and permissions

• Test all integrations and workflows

• Plan for potential downtime during transition

Self-Hosted to Cloud Migration

• Assess current usage and requirements

• Export workflows and configurations

• Set up cloud account and projects

• Migrate users and permissions

• Update webhook URLs and integrations

Best Practices for Each Option

n8n Cloud Best Practices

• Monitor execution usage regularly

• Optimize workflows for efficiency

• Use shared projects effectively

• Leverage built-in monitoring tools

• Plan for execution limit growth

Self-Hosted Best Practices

• Implement comprehensive monitoring

• Set up automated backups

• Keep systems updated and patched

• Document configurations and procedures

• Plan for disaster recovery scenarios

Future Considerations

Technology Evolution

• AI and machine learning integration trends

• Containerization and orchestration advances

• Edge computing requirements

• Integration ecosystem expansion

Business Growth

• Scaling automation requirements

• Team growth and collaboration needs

• Compliance requirement changes

• Budget and cost optimization priorities

Making the Final Decision

The choice between n8n Cloud and self-hosted deployment ultimately depends on your organization's specific requirements, technical capabilities, and strategic priorities. Consider these key questions:

1. What is your technical expertise level?

2. What are your data residency and compliance requirements?

3. What is your expected execution volume and growth trajectory?

4. What is your budget for both initial setup and ongoing operations?

5. How important is vendor independence to your organization?

6. What level of customization do you require?

7. What are your support and SLA requirements?

Conclusion

Both n8n Cloud and self-hosted deployments offer compelling advantages for different use cases. n8n Cloud excels in simplicity, professional support, and rapid deployment, making it ideal for organizations that want to focus on automation rather than infrastructure management. Self-hosted deployments provide maximum control, customization, and long-term cost efficiency, making them perfect for organizations with strong technical capabilities and specific compliance requirements.

The decision isn't permanent – many organizations start with n8n Cloud for rapid deployment and later migrate to self-hosted as their requirements and capabilities evolve. Others begin with self-hosted Community Edition and upgrade to paid plans as their collaboration needs grow.

Consider starting with a small pilot project to evaluate both options if possible. This hands-on experience will provide valuable insights into which approach best fits your organization's culture, capabilities, and requirements.

Remember that the "best" choice is the one that aligns with your current needs while providing a clear path for future growth and evolution. Both options can deliver significant value when properly implemented and managed according to your organization's specific context and requirements.