n8n Pricing 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown (Self-Hosted vs. Cloud)
Self-hosted vs. Cloud - all costs transparently broken down including hidden expenses and ROI calculator.
Considering n8n for your workflow automation? Then you're facing an important decision: Self-Hosted or Cloud? In this article, we'll show you all costs transparently - including hidden expenses that are often overlooked.
n8n Pricing Models Overview
n8n offers two basic options:
1. n8n Cloud (Hosted by n8n)
The simplest option - n8n handles hosting, updates, and maintenance.
| Plan | Price/Month | Workflow Executions | Workflows | Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $20 | 2,500 | 5 active | 1 |
| Pro | $50 | 10,000 | 15 active | 3 |
| Pro+ | $120 | 50,000 | Unlimited | 5 |
| Enterprise | On request | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Every time a workflow is triggered and runs through, it counts as one execution. A workflow that runs hourly uses about 720 executions per month.
2. n8n Self-Hosted (Community Edition)
The open-source version is free to use. But beware: "free" doesn't mean "without costs".
Direct Costs Self-Hosted:| Component | Cost/Month | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Server (VPS) | $10-50 | Hetzner, DigitalOcean, AWS |
| Domain + SSL | $1-2 | Optional but recommended |
| Backup Storage | $5-10 | Important for production |
| Total | $16-62 | Without labor time |
| Effort | Estimated Time | Value (at $80/h) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Setup | 4-8 hours | $320-640 one-time |
| Updates (monthly) | 1-2 hours | $80-160/month |
| Troubleshooting | 2-4 hours/month | $160-320/month |
| Security Patches | 1-2 hours/month | $80-160/month |
3. n8n Enterprise (Self-Hosted)
For companies with special requirements:
- SSO/SAML Integration
- Advanced permissions
- SLA and Priority Support
- Audit Logs
- Price: On request (typically from $500/month)
Cost Comparison: When Does What Pay Off?
Cloud makes sense when:
- You have fewer than 50,000 executions/month
- No DevOps team available
- You want to start quickly
- Compliance is not an issue
Self-Hosted makes sense when:
- You have over 100,000 executions/month
- Server infrastructure already exists
- DevOps capacity is available
- Data must not leave your country
n8n vs. Competition: Price Comparison
| Tool | Entry Price | 10,000 Executions | 100,000 Executions |
|---|---|---|---|
| n8n Cloud | $20 | $50 | $120+ |
| n8n Self-Hosted | $0 | $0 | $0* |
| Zapier | $19 | $69 | $599 |
| Make.com | $9 | $16 | $66 |
| Power Automate | $15/User | $15/User | $15/User |
*Server costs not included
ROI Calculation: When Does n8n Pay Off?
Example calculation for an SMB:Assuming you automate 3 processes that each save 10 hours/month of manual work:
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Hours Saved | 30h/month |
| Employee Hourly Rate | $40 |
| Monthly Savings | $1,200 |
| n8n Costs (Pro+) | $120 |
| Net Savings | $1,080/month |
| ROI | 900% |
Common Questions About n8n Costs
Is there a free trial?Yes, n8n Cloud offers a free trial. Self-Hosted is permanently free to use.
What happens when I exceed the limit?Workflows are paused until the next billing period or you upgrade.
Can I switch later?Yes, workflows can be migrated between Cloud and Self-Hosted.
What payment methods are available?Credit card and for Enterprise also invoice.
Our Recommendation
For most companies, we recommend starting with n8n Cloud Pro ($50/month):
- Quick start without setup effort
- Enough capacity for first automations
- Easy upgrade when needed
- Focus on processes, not infrastructure
Only when you exceed 50,000 executions/month or have special compliance requirements does switching to Self-Hosted make sense.
Next Steps
Not sure which option is right for you? We'll help you decide:
The choice of the right pricing model depends on your specific requirements. Let's find the best solution together.