How to Cancel, Delete, or Self-Host n8n (The Developer's Guide)
Confused about how to cancel your n8n Cloud subscription, or worried about losing your workflows after a trial? You're not alone. This is the definitive 2026 guide for developers and automators to correctly cancel, delete, or self-host your n8n instance.
The Golden Rule: Identify Your n8n Setup First
CRITICAL: The cancellation process is completely different depending on your setup. Are you on a Paid Cloud Plan, a Free Trial, or Self-Hosting? You must first identify which version you are using below, as the steps are not interchangeable.
Which n8n Version Are You Using?
Find your specific situation below and follow the correct steps.
☁️ Paid n8n Cloud Plan
- 1. Log in to your n8n Cloud instance (e.g., your-instance.app.n8n.cloud).
- 2. Navigate to the Admin Panel. This is typically found via a Manage link or in your account settings. The direct URL is usually `your-instance.app.n8n.cloud/manage`.
- 3. In the Manage tab, find the Cancel plan button and click it.
- 4. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the cancellation. This stops all future auto-renewals.
🕒 n8n Cloud Free Trial
- 1. No Action is Needed.
- 2. If you did not enter any credit card information to start your trial, you do not need to cancel anything.
- 3. The trial will expire automatically at the end of the period.
- 4. Your workspace and workflows will be deleted after a grace period (e.g., 90 days) if you do not upgrade to a paid plan.
💻 Self-Hosted Instance (Docker, etc.)
- 1. There is nothing to cancel with n8n.
- 2. You are in complete control of your instance. To cancel, you simply stop the service on your server.
- 3. If running via Docker, use the command `docker-compose down` or `docker stop [container_name]`.
- 4. You are only responsible for canceling your own server hosting plan (e.g., with DigitalOcean, AWS, Railway, etc.).
Developer Hacks & Strategies
The Ultimate Hack: Ditch the Cloud and Self-Host
The single best way to save money is to stop paying for n8n Cloud. Self-hosting the open-source version gives you unlimited executions and workflows for the cost of a cheap VPS. Platforms like Railway, Render, or a free-tier instance on Google Cloud or Oracle Cloud are popular choices in the community.
How to Recover Workflows from an Expired Trial
If your trial expired and you lost access to your work, there's a fix. You will need to upgrade to a paid plan temporarily. This will reactivate your workspace, allowing you to log in and export all your workflows as JSON files. Once saved, you can cancel the paid plan and import the files into a new self-hosted instance.
Requesting a Refund for an Accidental Charge
If you were charged for a renewal you didn't want, contact support immediately at support@n8n.io. While not guaranteed, the support team is generally responsive. Politely explain the situation (e.g., you forgot to cancel a trial with a credit card on file) and request a refund.
Pre-Cancellation Safety Checklist
Export Your Workflows Before Cancelling
CRITICAL: Before you cancel your paid plan or let a trial expire, always export your important workflows as JSON files. This is your only backup. You can do this from the Admin Panel or directly within the workflow editor.
"Cancel Plan" vs. "Delete Account"
VERY IMPORTANT: Cancel plan stops the billing and downgrades your account at the end of the cycle. Delete account is found in the Danger Zone of the Admin Panel and permanently and immediately erases everything-workflows, credentials, and billing info. Be sure which one you want to do.
Annual Plans are Generally Non-Refundable
If you are on an annual plan and decide to cancel mid-year, do not expect a prorated refund. The cancellation will typically only prevent the auto-renewal for the following year.
Want to never miss a subscription renewal? Set a free email reminder for any app - Netflix, Hotstar, Spotify, or even your gym membership - and stay in control of your payments.
Set a Free ReminderDid you know? We can notify you 5, 3, and 1 day before any renewal - and help you cancel in minutes.
Get Free NotificationsGot Questions? We've Got Answers.
Do I need to cancel my n8n Cloud free trial?
No. This is a major point of confusion. If you did not enter any payment details, you do not need to do anything. The trial will expire automatically, and your account and workflows will eventually be deleted after a grace period.
How do I actually cancel my paid n8n Cloud subscription?
You must be the workspace owner. Log in to your n8n Cloud instance, go to the Admin Panel (via the 'Manage' link), find the 'Cancel plan' button, and follow the prompts. This will stop all future auto-renewals.
I lost my workflows after my subscription expired. Can I get them back?
Yes, there is a way. You will likely need to upgrade to a paid plan temporarily. This should restore your workspace, allowing you to access your workflows and export them as JSON files. You can then cancel the paid plan again.
How do I 'cancel' my self-hosted n8n instance?
For a self-hosted instance (e.g., running in Docker), there is nothing to 'cancel' with n8n. You are in full control. To stop it, you simply stop the Docker container or delete the application from your server. You are only responsible for your own server hosting costs.
Never miss a subscription renewal! Enter your details, and we’ll send you a free email reminder on the day it’s due - no signup needed.
Set My Free ReminderRecommended for You
How to Cancel Notion Plus
The complete 2025 guide to cancelling your Notion Plus plan. Learn the safe way to cancel without losing your notes, what happens to your files, and discover hacks to use Notion for free.
How to Cancel Zapier
The complete 2025 guide to cancelling your paid Zapier plan. Learn what happens to your multi-step Zaps, how to back up your workflows, and what to expect when downgrading.
How to Cancel Lovable
Feeling trapped by Lovable's confusing cancellation process? ✅ Our 2025 guide exposes the "Downgrade to Cancel" dark pattern and shows you the exact steps to finally stop the charges.
Tired of Remembering This Yourself?
Let CancelMates send you a free reminder 5 days before your N8N subscription renews.
No credit card required. 100% private.