n8n Pricing 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown (Self-Hosted vs. Cloud)
n8n Cloud starts at $20/month — but self-hosting "for free" actually costs $300-700/month in time. Full breakdown + comparison with Zapier and Make.com.
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. For a full platform comparison, read our Zapier vs. Make vs. n8n guide or the specific n8n vs. Make comparison.
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. If you need professional setup, learn about our n8n implementation services. Contact us for a free consultation.
All pricing information is provided without guarantee. Prices are subject to change. Research as of: March 2026. For current pricing, please check the respective provider websites.
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