Zapier vs n8n
Which automation & integration tool is right for you? Compare features, pricing, and user reviews to make the best choice.
Zapier
Non-technical teams that want the easiest builder and the widest app coverage, and can pay more per step than Make charges.
n8n
Technical teams with long, multi-step workflows or strict data rules who want per-run pricing and the option to self-host.
Side by side
| Zapier | n8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (100 tasks/month); paid from $19.99/month (Professional, annual) | Free self-hosted Community Edition; cloud from $20/month (Starter, annual) |
| G2 Rating | 4.5 (2,083 reviews) | 4.7 (319 reviews) |
| Best For | Non-technical teams that want the easiest builder and the widest app coverage, and can pay more per step than Make charges. | Technical teams with long, multi-step workflows or strict data rules who want per-run pricing and the option to self-host. |
Pros and cons
Zapier
Pros
- Largest app library of any tool here (9,000+)
- Easiest to learn for non-technical builders
- Triggers, filters, paths and formatting don't count as tasks
- Agents, chatbots, tables and forms in one product
Cons
- Much more expensive per unit than Make (750 tasks for $19.99/month, annual)
- AI, Code and MCP steps now use tasks too
- Free plan is two-step only with 15-minute polling
- No self-hosting
n8n
Pros
- Long workflows cost the same as short ones (per-execution billing)
- Free self-hosted edition for internal use
- Strong AI agent and MCP support
- Unlimited users and workflows on every plan
Cons
- Sustainable Use License is not OSI open source and limits commercial redistribution
- Cloud Starter allows only 2,500 executions and 5 concurrent runs
- Business ($800/month, annual) is self-hosted only
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
Related comparisons
Make alternatives
Pick n8n if you have a technical builder and long workflows, since it bills per run instead of per step. Pick Zapier if your builders aren't technical, or Activepieces if you want an open-source core with flat pricing.
Sarah ChenUpdated October 2026n8n alternatives
Stay with n8n if you have technical builders and its license fits internal use. Pick Activepieces if you need a true open-source license, or Zapier if your builders are not technical.
Sarah ChenUpdated October 2026Zapier alternatives
Stay with Zapier if you want the most app connections and the easiest builder. Switch to Make for better value on complex workflows, or n8n if you have technical skills and want per-run pricing or self-hosting.
Sarah ChenUpdated October 2026