Best n8n setup/plan for managing multiple client automations?

Questions
1

Hi everyone,

I’m currently starting an AI Automation Agency and I’m a bit confused about which n8n plan or setup would be the best fit for my business model.

My goal is to manage several clients’ automations directly from my computer/centralized dashboard. However, I haven’t fully grasped how the plans work for this specific use case. Specifically:

  1. Centralized Management: Is there a way to manage different clients (separate environments) under one account, or do I need a separate subscription for each client?

  2. Scalability: Since I am just starting, I want to keep costs optimized but I need a professional setup that allows me to monitor and update workflows for my clients remotely.

  3. Plan Recommendation: Given that I use Gemini API, Z-API, and Apify, which n8n version would you recommend? Should I go with n8n Cloud (and which tier?) or is a Self-Hosted (VPS) instance better for an agency model?

I would love to hear from other agency owners about how you structure your workspace and billing for clients.

Thanks in advance for the help!

2

For your agency, you’ll likely want a self-hosted n8n setup to manage multiple clients. This gives you more control and flexibility. You can use a VPS (Virtual Private Server) to host n8n, which allows you to monitor and update workflows remotely.

Regarding the plan, consider the “Enterprise” plan for n8n Cloud if you prefer a managed solution, as it offers more features suitable for agencies. However, self-hosting is often more cost-effective as your client base grows. You can then manage separate client environments using different workflows and credentials.

I’m not 100% certain about the optimal setup for your specific integrations (Gemini, Z-API, Apify), so you might want to verify their compatibility and resource usage with self-hosted vs. cloud options.