Setting up n8n: Self-hosted vs Cloud (Beginner looking to sell client automations)

Hello everyone,

I’m a complete newbie to n8n and just starting my journey into building AI automation systems. My long-term plan is to eventually sell these automation workflows to clients to solve real business pain points Right now, I’m trying to decide between:

n8n Cloud (official hosted option)

Self-hosting on a VPS / platform like Render or Docker

I’m honestly not very technical, and while I understand that self-hosting can be cheaper and more flexible, I’ve also read that it comes with more maintenance, potential server issues, and troubleshooting — which slightly worries me.

At the same time, since my goal is to eventually serve paying clients, I’d really appreciate guidance on:

Which option is more practical and professional for selling automation systems?

What disadvantages should I realistically expect from self-hosting as a non-technical person?

Are there any key functionalities or features I would lose if I choose to self-host compared to n8n Cloud?

Thanks in advance for any insights 🙏

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