Table of Contents
Introduction
Why execution caps push people to self-host
If you’re comfortable with a Linux box, self‑hosting n8n is usually cheaper than paying for n8n Cloud — but only if you size the VPS right and factor backups and monitoring. Here’s the no‑fluff breakdown of what you’ll actually pay and what corners not to cut.
What a UK server location changes
UK plans bill in pounds, with some starting from £4.99 a month, ex VAT.
UK VPS Prices and the Specs n8n Needs
How much RAM is enough
Aim for 4 GB. It comfortably runs n8n with Docker Compose and Postgres.
| Plan | Specs | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Contabo Cloud VPS 10 | 4 vCPU, 8 GB, 100 GB | $5.28/mo, then $6.60/mo |
| OVHcloud VPS-1 | 2 vCPU, 4 GB, 40 GB NVMe | $4.54/mo starting at |
| Hostinger KVM 1 | 1 vCPU, 4 GB, 50 GB | $6.49/mo, then $11.99/mo |
Intro prices versus renewal prices
Intro prices usually need a 24-month prepay. Compare renewal prices, not the headline number.
OVHcloud renewal terms were not verified, so check them before you commit.
Hidden Costs Beyond the Monthly Server Fee
Backups, domain and VAT
The server fee is not the whole bill. Add these:
- Backups: provider snapshots usually cost 10 to 20% extra. The alternative is object storage plus a nightly pg_dump and an export of your workflows.
- Domain: about $10 to $15 a year. Let’s Encrypt TLS is free.
- VAT: some UK prices are shown ex VAT, so check the final total.
Keep a copy of N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY. Lose it and you lose your credentials.
Your time for updates and monitoring
Updates and monitoring cost nothing in money. They cost time.
Expect a couple of hours to set up, then maybe an hour a month. Put a price on that hour before you call self-hosting cheap.
Self-Hosting Versus n8n Cloud and Managed Hosting
Where the break-even point sits
N8n Cloud Pro starts at €50 a month billed annually. Starter is €20 a month, with execution limits on both.
If you run high volumes, the gap widens quickly because self-hosting has no execution cap.
The paid self-hosted n8n Business plan starts at €667 a month billed annually. It adds SSO, environments and Git version control.
When managed hosting is the better fit
Managed hosting sits between the two. Sliplane starts at €9 a month per server, and you keep your own n8n container without maintaining Linux by hand.
Skip the raw VPS if you do not want to own these tasks:
- Updates
- HTTPS
- Monitoring and recovery
FAQ
Is 2 GB of RAM enough for n8n?
It works for light use. For n8n plus Postgres in Docker, 4 GB is the comfortable minimum, and 8 GB suits heavy workflows or queue mode.
Does self-hosting n8n have execution limits?
No. The only ceiling is your server hardware.
What happens if I lose my encryption key?
You lose access to your saved credentials, so store N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY somewhere safe.
Conclusion
Self-hosting n8n on a UK VPS is cheap in money and honest in time. Budget for the server, backups and a monthly hour of upkeep.
