Self-Hosted vs Managed vs Cloud n8n: What's the Right Choice for You?

When you're looking to use n8n to automate your workflows, deciding exactly how you'll host it is a key first step. There are three main ways people usually run n8n: self-hosted on your own VPS, managed hosting on platforms like sliplane.io, or directly on the official n8n Cloud service. Each has its pros, cons, and ideal situations.

Let's break down these options and see which one works best for your needs.

Option 1: Self-hosted on a VPS

Running your n8n instance completely on your own virtual private server (VPS) gives you complete control over your setup. You can decide on CPU size, storage capacity, memory allocation, operating system, and software versions. You won't be limited by what's offered by a fixed hosting package.

But for all the flexibility you're gaining, there are some challenges to consider. Setting up your own Ubuntu server or similar means doing all the groundwork yourself. This includes installing Node.js, configuring databases (if necessary), handling deployment and updates, securing the server, and setting up your own backups.

These tasks can easily consume your time and require regular attention. You'll need strong technical skills in Linux server administration, security, and networking. While VPS hosting itself can be cheap (usually around $5-20 per month), this option comes with extra overhead in both time and resources.

Read the introduction to self-hosting n8n on Ubuntu or best practices for self-hosting n8n.

Option 2: Managed Docker Hosting on Sliplane.io

A platform like sliplane.io takes away nearly all of that manual burden, while still offering flexibility. Instead of manually configuring servers and installing updates, a managed platform lets you deploy your n8n instance with just one click. You simply select n8n from the app catalog, launch the deployment, and your instance becomes available within minutes.

This option still gives you good performance and flexibility without requiring deep technical expertise or regular maintenance from your side. Everything from infrastructure management, built-in backups, automatic updates to security are handled automatically. Priced at 9 euros per month, sliplane.io provides an excellent balance between convenience, functionality, and affordability for small-to-medium businesses and individual users.

Managed hosting frees up your time, so you can concentrate on creating powerful automation workflows instead of troubleshooting server-related issues. Compared to self-hosting, managed hosting can be a great choice for people who prioritize reliability and convenience over complete server-level control.

Hosting n8n on sliplane.io requires no technical expertise or regular maintenance. Watch a 30 second tutorial on how to deploy n8n on sliplane.io:

Option 3: n8n Cloud (Official Hosted Service)

The official n8n Cloud offering gives you immediate access to a fully managed service directly from the creators of n8n. You simply sign up, choose a plan, and start automating right away without any setup steps or technical configuration.

It's certainly convenient and completely hassle-free, but this convenience comes at a higher cost. Pricing currently starts around €60 per month for the standard cloud plan, which is significantly more expensive than the self-hosted and managed hosting options.

n8n Cloud includes hosting, uptime guarantees, backups, and official support. Still, the relatively high monthly price might be a hurdle if you're running a smaller business or personal project. While performance and convenience are excellent, the price-to-features ratio may not always make sense if you’re budget-conscious.

How the three options compare (at a glance)

Making your decision: What's best for you?

Deciding how you should run your n8n instance comes down to your priorities and resources.

If having complete control over every aspect of your hosting is crucial—and you have time available and strong technical knowledge—then a self-hosted solution might be suitable for you. Keep in mind: all server setup, maintenance, security and updates are your responsibility in return for lower monthly cost and absolute control.

If you're looking to spend less energy on server management but still want an affordable solution with good performance, managed hosting on sliplane.io offers a very strong middle ground. Its low cost (€9/month), zero-maintenance setup, automatic updates, security features, and backups makes it easy to recommend to freelancers and smaller businesses alike.

Finally, if convenience and zero setup effort matter above everything else—and the higher monthly cost (€60) won't be an obstacle—then n8n Cloud by the official team is an instant solution. However, the increased expense and less customizability may limit smaller projects.

For many users, managed Docker hosting platforms like sliplane.io offer the best balance between affordability, simplicity, control, and features. They free you from technical headaches while keeping monthly expenses low enough to stay budget-friendly.

Wrap-up thoughts

Picking between self-hosting on your own VPS, managed hosting platforms like sliplane.io, and n8n official cloud depends heavily on your personal or organizational scenario. Most of the time, managed hosting gives you the best value if you don't require infinite customizations and have limited time for server administration tasks.

If you're ready to get started quickly without worrying about infrastructure, while minimizing costs, managed hosting with sliplane is a solid, reliable choice.