Self-Hosted n8n vs n8n Cloud
Both run the same powerful workflow-automation engine, but they differ sharply on cost, execution limits, and who controls your data. Here is an honest comparison to help you pick — and why a managed self-hosted instance on Flux often gives you the best of both.
The short version
n8n Cloud is the official hosted SaaS. It is the fastest way to try n8n with zero setup, but its plans meter how many workflow executions you run each month, cap active workflows on lower tiers, and keep your data inside a shared multi-tenant environment. Costs climb as your automation volume grows.
Self-hosted n8n removes those limits: unlimited executions, unlimited workflows, full access to community and custom nodes, and complete ownership of your credentials and data. The traditional downside — you have to run and maintain the server yourself — disappears when you deploy on Flux, which provisions and manages a dedicated instance plus a high-availability database for you.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| n8n on Flux | n8n Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting model | Dedicated self-hosted instance on Flux | Shared, multi-tenant SaaS |
| Workflow execution limits | None — bounded only by plan resources | Metered per month by pricing tier |
| Active workflows | Unlimited | Limited on lower tiers |
| Data ownership | Your data on your instance | Stored in n8n Cloud |
| High-availability database | 3-node HA PostgreSQL, auto-failover | Managed, not user-configurable |
| Server maintenance | Fully managed for you | Fully managed for you |
| Community & custom nodes | Full access | Restricted on some tiers |
| Starting price | $5.32/month, first month free | Tiered, execution-based pricing |
| Vendor lock-in | None — portable, decentralized | Tied to n8n Cloud |
Cost: why self-hosting wins at scale
n8n Cloud pricing is tied to execution volume, so a workflow that fires thousands of times a day can push you into higher tiers quickly. A self-hosted instance charges a flat rate for the resources you rent, not per execution — so a high-volume automation costs the same whether it runs a hundred or a hundred thousand times. On Flux, plans start at $5.32/month with your first month free, typically a large saving versus n8n Cloud for anything beyond light use.
Data ownership & no lock-in
With n8n Cloud your workflows and credentials live in n8n’s infrastructure. Self-hosting keeps everything on your own dedicated instance, which matters for privacy, compliance, and control. Because n8n workflows are portable JSON, you are never locked in — export and move them whenever you like. On Flux your instance runs on independent decentralized nodes rather than a single vendor’s data center.
When should you pick each?
- Choose n8n Cloud for a quick, zero-commitment trial with very low execution volume.
- Choose self-hosted n8n on Flux when you want unlimited executions, predictable cost, data ownership, a high-availability database, and no server maintenance.
New to self-hosting? Read our step-by-step guide to self-hosting n8n, or see the full n8n hosting comparison vs Zapier & Make.
Get unlimited n8n without the setup
Deploy a dedicated, self-hosted n8n instance with an HA PostgreSQL cluster on the Flux decentralized cloud — live in 30 seconds, from $5.32/month, first month free.
Frequently asked questions
Is self-hosted n8n cheaper than n8n Cloud?
For anything beyond very light use, usually yes. Self-hosting charges a flat rate for resources rather than metering executions, so high-volume automations don’t trigger overage charges. Flux plans start at $5.32/month with the first month free.
Does self-hosted n8n have execution limits?
No. Unlike n8n Cloud tiers, a self-hosted instance has no artificial execution or active-workflow caps — you are limited only by the CPU, RAM, and storage of your plan.
Is n8n on Flux a good n8n Cloud alternative?
Yes. It gives you the same n8n platform as a managed, dedicated instance with a high-availability database, no execution limits, full data ownership, and no vendor lock-in — typically at a lower cost.
Can I move from n8n Cloud to self-hosted?
Yes. Export your workflows as JSON from n8n Cloud and import them into your self-hosted instance, then re-enter your credentials. Your automations run exactly as before.