# What is n8n Cloud? > n8n Cloud is the hosted version of n8n: sign up and build in your browser with no server to run. What you get, how it differs from self-hosting, and costs. Source: https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/n8n-cloud · Updated 2026-10-01 · Free from Stepthrough (https://learn.ynteractive.com) [n8n and automation](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary#topic-n8n-and-automation) · [AI glossary](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary) Updated October 1, 2026 · By [Robert Breen](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/about) n8n Cloud is the version of n8n that the n8n company hosts for you. You sign up on n8n.io, get your own workspace at a web address like yourname.app.n8n.cloud, and build and run workflows in your browser without installing or maintaining a server. ## Why it matters for a small business For a small business, the hard part of automation is rarely the idea. It is keeping the thing running. With n8n Cloud, updates, uptime and backups of the service are n8n's job, and your workflows keep running when your laptop is closed. That is why the free lessons here use it: you can go from sign-up to a working agent in one sitting. Cloud also removes some setup that trips people up. Connecting Google, for example, is a **Sign in with Google** button, because n8n Cloud handles the Google developer setup that a self-hosted install makes you do yourself. The trade-off is cost and control: Cloud is a paid service with plan limits, while [self-hosting](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/self-hosting) is free software you run and secure on your own server. Check n8n's pricing page for current plans, since they change. ## In a real lesson: Build an AI Follow-Up Agent for HVAC Service Calls The [AI Service Follow-Up Agent lesson](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/hvac-service-follow-up-ai-agent-n8n) starts at **n8n.io** with **Get started free**, for Cedar Ridge Heating & Air, a made-up HVAC company. You type an email (a practice one is fine), click **Continue**, and the lesson explains that the real sign-up then emails you a six digit code and asks for a name, a password and an account name. Once inside, the overview page lists every workflow you have, and **Create workflow** in the top right opens an empty canvas. Everything after that, from the chat trigger to the Google Sheets tool, runs on n8n's servers, not on your computer. Other lessons show the Cloud address itself. In [Find and Use n8n Templates](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/find-and-use-n8n-templates), the import button reads **Import template to hillside-grooming.app.n8n.cloud**, and the voice-over notes that on n8n Cloud you don't need any Google developer setup. In the Lovable lessons, the webhook address you paste starts with your instance name followed by app.n8n.cloud. [Try this lesson free](https://learn.ynteractive.com/modules/n8n-ai-agent-hvac) or [read the step-by-step guide](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/hvac-service-follow-up-ai-agent-n8n). ## Common confusions ### n8n Cloud vs n8n [n8n](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/n8n) is the automation tool. n8n Cloud is one way to run it, hosted by n8n. The editor and nodes look the same either way. ### n8n Cloud vs the OpenAI API An n8n plan pays for running workflows. AI steps also need an [OpenAI API](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/openai-api) key with its own pay-as-you-go billing, which is separate from both n8n and ChatGPT plans. ## Tips - Use a business email for the account so the workspace isn't tied to one person. - Pick a workspace name you're happy to see in webhook addresses; customers' forms will call it. - Check the plan's execution limits against how often your workflows will run. ## Related terms [n8n](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/n8n) · [Self-hosting](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/self-hosting) · [Workflow](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/workflow) · [Credential](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/credential) · [OAuth](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/oauth) · [API usage billing](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/api-usage-billing) ## Where you use it: free lessons - [Build an AI Follow-Up Agent for HVAC Service Calls](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/hvac-service-follow-up-ai-agent-n8n) (n8n, 12 min) - [n8n AI Agent Tutorial: Save Social Media Ideas to Google Sheets](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/n8n-ai-agent-tutorial-google-sheets) (n8n, 12 min) - [Find and Use n8n Templates](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/find-and-use-n8n-templates) (n8n, 9 min) ## More free tutorials [n8n tutorials](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/tool/n8n) ## Frequently asked questions **Is n8n Cloud free?** n8n Cloud is a paid service, and n8n has offered a free trial. Plans and limits change, so check n8n's pricing page. The self-hosted version is free software, but you pay for and look after the server. **Can I move from n8n Cloud to self-hosted later?** Yes. Workflows can be exported as JSON files and imported into another n8n. You reconnect credentials on the new instance, since logins don't travel with the file. [All AI glossary terms, A to Z](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary) · [Free prompt templates](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/prompts)