Module 1 Lesson 2: Cloud vs. Self-Hosted

Before you build your first workflow, you need a place for n8n to "Live." You have three main choices.

1. n8n Cloud (The Easy Way)

Host: Managed by n8n.io.
Pros: Setup in 30 seconds. Automatic updates. High reliability.
Cons: Monthly subscription fee. Limits on executions/workflows.

2. n8n Self-Hosted (The Pro Way)

Host: Your own server (VPS, Raspberry Pi, or NAS). Usually run via Docker.
Pros: Completely free. No limits on data. 100% privacy.
Cons: You must handle updates, security, and "Uptime" yourself.

3. n8n Desktop (The Entry Way)

Host: Your Windows or Mac computer.
Pros: Great for learning. Doesn't need a server.
Cons: If you turn off your laptop, the automation stops working! Not suitable for "Production" workflows.

4. When to Choose Which?

Choose Cloud if you are a busy manager who wants things to "Just Work" and has a budget.
Choose Self-Hosted if you are an engineer or a privacy-conscious business.
Choose Desktop only for testing and building your very first prototypes.

Summary Table

Feature	Desktop	Cloud	Self-Hosted
Setup Speed	2 mins	1 min	15 mins
Price	Free	$$	Free
Complexity	Very Low	None	Medium
Uptime	Only when PC is on	99.9%	You define it

Exercise: The Hosting Decision

Go to n8n.io/pricing. How much is the "Starter" cloud plan?
If you use a $5/month DigitalOcean server to self-host n8n, how much "Money" are you saving compared to the Cloud plan over a year?
Imagine you are building an automation for a bank. Which hosting method would you use?
Research: What is the "Fair-Code" license and can you sell n8n as a service?

Summary

The power of n8n is Flexibility. You can start on your Desktop today, migrate to the Cloud tomorrow, and move everything to your own private server on Friday. All your workflows are just JSON files that can be exported and imported anywhere.

Next Lesson: High-level view: Overview of n8n features.