Lesson 2 of 6
Cloud or self-host?
6 min read
Same n8n, two homes. It can run on n8n's servers, or on yours. The choice comes down to one question: who holds your data?
Two homes for one workflow
A workflow has to run somewhere. With n8n Cloud, it runs on n8n's servers — nothing to install, always up to date, but your data passes through their systems. Self-hosted, it runs on a machine you control — your laptop, a home server, a rented box — so the workflow and everything it touches stay with you.
Cloud trades control for convenience; self-hosting trades convenience for control. Neither is 'better' — they answer different needs.
Who holds the data?
This is the real decision. If your workflow handles customer records, private files, or company secrets, self-hosting keeps that data on machines you trust — it never leaves. If it's low-stakes and you value zero maintenance, Cloud is the easy path. Many people start on Cloud and move to self-host as the stakes grow.
Pick the home by the data, not the habit: sensitive data leans self-host; convenience and low stakes lean Cloud.
Self-hosting isn't free either — you become the person who keeps it running, updated, and backed up. Owning the house means owning the plumbing.
The shape of it
- —Cloud: n8n runs it for you — zero setup, but data passes through their servers.
- —Self-host: it runs on your machine — you hold the data, you do the upkeep.
- —Choose by how sensitive the data is, not by which is trendier.
Your workflow processes patients' medical notes. Where should it probably run?
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