If someone in a Facebook group has told you “just self-host n8n, it’s free,” it’s true, but they’ve missed out a vital bit of information that’ll help you decide whether that decision is right for your business.
Technically they’re right. The self-hosted version of n8n doesn’t charge you a penny in software fees. But free software still needs somewhere to live. That means a server, PostgreSQL set up properly (the default database falls over under real use), SSL certificates, backups you’ve tested, and updates applied on a proper schedule.
None of that is hard if you already do it for a living. If you’re a plumber, an HVAC engineer, or you run a small electrical firm, it’s a part-time job you didn’t sign up for, tacked onto a business you’re already running flat out.
n8n Cloud, by comparison, starts at around £20 a month on the Starter plan and covers unlimited workflows and unlimited users. n8n handles the server, the backups, the updates, the security patching. You log in, you build your automations, you get on with the rest of your day.
So, if you’ve got someone on the team who genuinely enjoys servers and Docker, self-hosting will save you real money once you’re running high volumes of workflows and tasks. But for most trades businesses I work with, that person doesn’t exist. And saving £20 a month isn’t worth it if it costs you an evening every time something breaks.
For 95% of the trades and service businesses I talk to, I’d recommend the Cloud version. Pay the small monthly fee, keep your evenings.
Ready to try n8n? You can sign up using my partner link: https://hazelwhicher.co.uk/get/n8n
Are you already using n8n? I’d love to hear what you’re automating – or what you wish you could automate.
Whether you use ServiceM8, run a trade business, or simply want to save time on repetitive admin, ask me about ready-made and custom n8n workflows. Drop a comment or send me a message and I’ll help you work out what’s possible.
Ready to try n8n? You can sign up using my partner link: https://hazelwhicher.co.uk/get/n8n
#WorkflowWednesday
