The hidden costs of "free" software: servers, security, and sanity.
The "Self-Hosting Tax" is usually 3-5x the cost of the server itself. Between Docker updates, OAuth troubleshooting, and security patching, your "free" tool is costing you a salary.
| Annual Cost Item | n8n (Self-Hosted) | Gobii (Managed) |
|---|---|---|
| VPS / Server Infra | $240 - $1,200 | Included |
| Automated Backups | $120 - $300 | Included |
| SSL & Domain Security | $50 + Labor | Included |
| Uptime Monitoring | $100 + Labor | Included |
| OAuth App Maintenance | ~20 Hours Labor | Native |
| OS & Security Patching | ~40 Hours Labor | Automated |
| Estimated Total TCO | $3,500 - $7,500 | $0 (on Pro/Team) |