n8n Community vs Cloud: Which One Really Fits Your Automation Strategy?

When people talk about workflow automation today, n8n always comes up. It's flexible, powerful, and — most importantly — gives you freedom to choose how you want to run it.

You can use n8n Cloud, the official managed version, or n8n Community Edition, the self-hosted version that you control entirely. Both are great — but they're built for different kinds of teams.

In this article, we'll explore what makes the n8n Community Edition special, how it differs from the Cloud version, and when it makes sense to pick one over the other.

What Is n8n Community Edition?

The Community Edition is the free, self-hosted version of n8n. You install it on your own server (for example on Hetzner, AWS, or even a Raspberry Pi), and you control everything — from the database to the updates.

It's built on n8n's "fair-code" model, meaning you can use it freely for personal or commercial projects, but with a few license restrictions to keep the ecosystem sustainable.

What you get:

• Full access to the core automation engine
• Unlimited workflows and executions (limited only by your server)
• Access to the same nodes and triggers used in the Cloud version
• Freedom to customize, add dependencies, and scale however you like

What's missing compared to Cloud:

• Team collaboration and user management
• Single Sign-On (SSO), LDAP, or Git version control
• Built-in secrets management and external storage options
• Advanced logs, multi-main mode, and workflow sharing features

In short: the Community Edition gives you raw power and total control — but you're the one maintaining it.

The n8n Cloud Version in a Nutshell

The Cloud version is the official managed platform hosted by n8n GmbH. You sign up, build workflows, and never touch a server. Everything — hosting, scaling, security, backups — is handled for you.

Why teams love Cloud:

• No setup required: Start building workflows in minutes.
• Maintenance-free: Updates, uptime, and backups are managed by the n8n team.
• Scalable: You can upgrade plans for more executions or advanced features.
• Collaboration-ready: Multiple users can work together safely and share workflows.

The trade-off: You give up some control. You can't fully customize the environment or change the infrastructure. You're also paying a recurring subscription — currently starting around €20–50/month, depending on usage and plan.

Community vs Cloud: The Key Differences

Real Feedback From the n8n Community

Recent discussions in the n8n Community Forum highlight a few important points:

"The free self-hosted version isn't truly free — you're still paying for hosting infrastructure somewhere, and those costs can actually approach cloud pricing."

— Community Member, n8n Forum, 2025

"You get all the automation power of n8n for free. The only real difference is around team features, secrets management, and maintenance."

— Power User, Community Discussion

"OAuth apps are easier in n8n Cloud because they're already configured. On self-hosted, you have to register your own apps with Google or Microsoft."

— n8n Forum Contributor

These small details matter when you're setting up dozens of workflows — especially if your integrations use authentication (like Gmail, Google Sheets, or HubSpot).

Why the Community Edition Still Wins Hearts

You Own Your Data

Everything stays on your infrastructure — ideal if you care about privacy or compliance.

Unlimited Creativity

You can modify your setup, connect to internal systems, or build hybrid automations that Cloud users can't.

Lower Long-Term Cost (for Tech Teams)

If you already have server capacity, running n8n yourself can be far cheaper over time.

Offline or Private Deployments

Perfect for internal company automations or regulated industries that can't send data to third-party clouds.

Why Cloud Might Be the Better Choice for Some

• Zero Maintenance — Focus on building automations, not managing Docker containers.
• Faster Collaboration — Share workflows easily across a team.
• Enterprise Features — Version control, SSO, audit logs, and more.
• Predictable Costs — You know exactly what you'll pay every month.

The Balanced Approach

A growing number of teams actually use both. They prototype workflows in the Cloud (fast, easy setup), and then migrate them to a self-hosted instance once they're ready for production — especially if they want to embed automations into client projects or internal tools.

That hybrid model offers the best of both worlds:

• Cloud for speed and experimentation
• Community for control and scalability

Final Thoughts

The beauty of n8n is choice. You can start free, grow on your own servers, or switch to a managed solution without changing your workflows.

For AutomateSpot readers, the takeaway is simple:

• If you love tinkering, optimizing, and having full control — go Community Edition.
• If you want peace of mind, quick collaboration, and zero setup headaches — choose Cloud.

Either way, n8n remains one of the most open, flexible, and cost-effective automation tools available in 2025.