AppXen n8n
Self-hosted n8n, production-hardened: automatic HTTPS, PostgreSQL persistence, firewall, auto security updates. Replace Zapier/Make and own your automation.
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Pricing
$0.065/hr (≈ $47/mo software), billed through AWS — you pay EC2 separately and keep full control of the instance
Recommended instance
t3.small or larger
Production stack
TLS via Caddy + Let's Encrypt; PostgreSQL backing store; UFW firewall and unattended security updates on a hardened Ubuntu 24.04 base
n8n Cloud vs self-hosted: the real cost
Pricing verified June 2026 against n8n.io and AWS us-east-1 on-demand rates.
n8n Cloud bills per workflow execution — and polling triggers count every check, even when nothing happens. The free Community Edition this appliance runs has no execution meter: unlimited runs for the cost of a server in your own AWS account.
| Option | Monthly | Executions | Data lives in | Ops burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n8n Cloud Starter | $24 | 2,500 | n8n EU (Frankfurt) | None |
| n8n Cloud Pro | $60 | 10,000 | n8n EU (Frankfurt) | None |
| n8n Cloud Business | $800 | 40,000 | n8n EU (Frankfurt) | None |
| DIY self-host (Community) | ~$17+ | Unlimited | Your AWS account | High — you do everything |
| AppXen n8n appliance | ~$65–80 all-in | Unlimited | Your AWS account | Low — hardened, you keep root |
n8n Cloud prices shown at monthly billing (annual is ~17% less; Starter €20/mo). Appliance all-in = $0.065/hr software (≈ $47/mo) + EC2 (t3.small ≈ $15/mo to t3.medium ≈ $30/mo) + EBS. No execution limits.
The execution trap
A single polling trigger checking every 5 minutes runs ~8,640 times a month — enough to blow past Starter's 2,500 limit before any real work runs, forcing you to Pro ($60) or beyond. Self-hosted n8n has no execution meter: a workflow that polls every minute costs nothing extra. If your workflows are webhook-driven and low-volume, n8n Cloud Starter is genuinely fine; if you poll, sync on schedules, or expect growth, the math flips to self-hosting fast.
Cost scenarios
Solo builder · 2 webhook workflows · ~1,500 executions/mo
n8n Cloud Starter ($24) wins — low-volume, webhook-driven work is exactly what it's priced for. Don't overthink it.
Small team · polling + CRM sync · ~25,000 executions/mo
n8n Cloud exceeds Pro's 10,000 cap → Business at $800/mo. Appliance: ~$72/mo all-in (t3.small/medium). Savings ≈ $8,700/yr.
Agency · client automations · 100,000+ executions/mo
n8n Cloud Business $800/mo plus overage buckets. Appliance on a t3.medium: ~$80/mo all-in. Savings ≈ $8,600/yr, more with overages.
Data-residency requirement
n8n Cloud hosts only in Frankfurt, Germany — fine for GDPR, a problem if you need US residency or VPC isolation. Self-hosting in your own AWS region is the only clean answer.
When n8n Cloud is the better choice
Pick n8n Cloud if you have low execution volume with webhook triggers, nobody comfortable in an AWS console, or you want n8n's own support team on the hook. Managed cloud is a legitimate product — it's just priced for convenience, and the execution meter punishes exactly the high-frequency workloads automation is best at.
FAQ
Is self-hosted n8n really free?
The software is — the Community Edition has unlimited executions, all 400+ integrations, and code nodes. You pay for the server and your own ops time, or a small appliance fee to have the hardening, TLS, and updates handled.
Can I migrate from n8n Cloud?
Yes — export workflows as JSON from Cloud, import them into your instance, and re-enter credentials. Most migrations take under an hour.
Does the appliance modify n8n?
No. It runs the standard n8n Community Edition. The value is the production wrapper: hardened Ubuntu 24.04, auto-TLS, a real PostgreSQL database, firewall, and unattended security updates.
Where does my data live?
In your AWS account, your VPC, your chosen region. AppXen has no access to your instance.
Getting started
Launch, wait ~2 min, browse https://<public-ip>/, and retrieve admin credentials via sudo cat /opt/appliance/credentials.txt.
Need help? Email support@appxen.ai.