Is the self-hosted n8n version experiencing more bugs than the paid hosted version?

Below is an overview of the differences and considerations between self-hosted and n8n Cloud regarding the issues you described:

Code Base Consistency

• Both the self-hosted and paid hosted (n8n Cloud) versions use the same core code. In other words, if a bug exists in a specific node or in workflow processing, it’s likely to affect both deployments.

Self-Hosted Challenges

• Environment Configuration: When running n8n on your own infrastructure (e.g., via Docker Compose on Ubuntu) you are responsible for the entire setup. This includes ensuring that persistent storage (especially for community nodes and configuration data) is correctly configured. Issues such as missing packages can occur if the setup isn’t maintained properly.
• Resource Management: Self-hosted instances may face operational issues (like memory-related errors) if system resources aren’t provisioned adequately for your workflows. Some of the troubleshooting documentation is tailored for self-hosted setups, where manual adjustments such as persisting directories and tuning environment variables are necessary.

n8n Cloud (Paid Hosted) Benefits

• Managed Infrastructure: With n8n Cloud the environment is managed by the n8n team and optimized for stability. This can mean smoother handling of node installations, automatic restarts in case of memory-related errors, and overall better resource management.
• Operational Overhead: The hosted version relieves you from having to experiment with system configuration aspects or OS-related issues, so you can focus on building workflows rather than troubleshooting deployment quirks.

Which Option Is More Efficient?

• If your main concern is avoiding configuration or environment-related headaches (such as issues with Docker volume persistence or OS-specific pitfalls), n8n Cloud may provide a more stable operational experience. However, bugs related to the workflow engine or node logic will affect both versions until they are fixed at the source.
• Since both platforms share the same underlying code, switching to the hosted version will primarily help if your issues are tied to your current environment rather than to the n8n core functionality.

Final Considerations

• Given your setup (n8n version 1.80.3, SQLite, Docker Compose on Ubuntu), the OS and the deployment method are well supported but do require manual configuration for optimal stability.
• If your observed bugs lean more toward environment-specific errors (such as missing packages on startup or resource limitations), testing in the managed n8n Cloud might improve your experience.
• For bugs tied directly to workflow execution or new node integrations, waiting for a developer fix (or checking the changelogs for updates) might be the best course of action, as both platforms will be affected similarly.

In summary, n8n Cloud offers the benefit of managed, stable infrastructure which may reduce environment-induced issues. However, if the bugs you’re experiencing are within the core functionalities of newer nodes or workflow processing, they are likely to be present in both self-hosted and hosted versions until new releases address them.