Convenient cloud vs powerful self-hosted. An honest comparison table, no fanboyism.
Quick context
Tool comparisons age poorly. We wrote this one with real 2026 data and update it every quarter. If any data point doesn't match what you see on the official pages, write to us and we'll fix it.
Axis 1: Pricing at scale: where each one hurts
There's no "best" tool. There's a best one for your case. The first axis is always the toughest: money.
- Published base price vs real price at scale
- Which essential features are in the most expensive plan
- Which "add-ons" appear optional but aren't
Axis 2: Integrations ecosystem: clear winners by category
The difference between "it works in the demo" and "it works in production" is set by this axis. You can't evaluate it by reading landing pages.
- Performance with real operational volume
- Measured latency and response times
- How it behaves when something fails
Axis 3: When each one is appropriate: decision matrix
This is the least obvious and most painful one if you get it wrong: the cost of switching later. Lock-in, migration, data export.
- Data portability (export in a usable format)
- Dependence on proprietary integrations
- Estimated cost and time of a migration
Honest comparison table
| Criterion | Option A | Option B | Option C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $$ | $ | $$$ |
| Scalability | High | Medium | High |
| Learning curve | Medium | Low | High |
| Ecosystem | Broad | Small | Medium |
| Lock-in | Medium | Low | High |
The table above is illustrative; the full article on our blog includes concrete benchmarks with real volume.
Recommendation by profile
If you're just starting: pick the simplest one, even if it's expensive. The cost of being stuck slowing down your project is bigger than the price.
If you already have volume: review total cost of ownership over 2 years. "Free" tools turn out expensive with user seats, integrations and maintenance time.
If you're technical: open-source self-hosted usually wins if you have the DevOps muscle. If not, don't go there.
Common decision mistakes
- Choosing by the demo UI, not by the real need
- Not projecting costs over 12-24 months
- Ignoring the integrations ecosystem
Next step
If you want a personalized recommendation for your stack, at StriqTech we run quick audits with a written recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Which one do you recommend for an Argentine SMB?
It depends on the case: for small teams without a dev, n8n cloud or Make. For teams with technical capacity and volume, n8n self-hosted wins on total cost.
Is it worth migrating if I already use another tool?
Only if your current tool blocks you on 2 or more dimensions: cost, features or scalability. Migration costs time and risk, it's not free.
Do these recommendations change over time?
Yes. These comparisons are updated every quarter. If you see outdated data, let us know and we'll fix it.
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