n8n vs Zapier

Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

n8n

A fair-code workflow automation tool you can self-host, with code steps and AI agent nodes.

Free plan + paidSelf-hostable

Visit n8n n8n profile

Zapier

The best-known no-code automation tool, connecting thousands of apps with trigger-and-action workflows.

Free plan + paid

Visit Zapier Zapier profile

The short answer

Zapier is the easy, hosted choice for non-technical teams, with 9,000+ app integrations and task-based pricing. n8n is the choice for technical teams that want to self-host, add custom code and build AI agents, with pricing per workflow execution. The biggest difference is who it is built for: Zapier hides complexity from business users, while n8n gives developers control over hosting, logic and data.

n8n or Zapier: our take

Zapier connects apps through Zaps, a trigger followed by actions, in an editor most people can learn in minutes. Its integration library is the largest of any automation tool at 9,000+ apps, and it bundles Tables, Forms, AI steps, agents and an MCP server. It runs only in Zapier's cloud. n8n builds workflows from nodes on a canvas, with 2,000+ integrations, HTTP nodes and code nodes for JavaScript or Python. It has strong AI tooling, with nodes for LLMs, vector stores, memory and human-in-the-loop approvals.

The cost models push in different directions. Zapier counts tasks, each successful action, so a ten-step Zap uses many tasks per run. The free plan gives 100 tasks a month limited to two-step Zaps, Professional starts at $19.99/month and Team from $69/month, and bills can rise quickly at volume. n8n charges per execution regardless of step count on its cloud, starting at €20/month (annual) for 2.5K executions, and the self-hosted Community edition is free, so you pay only for your own server.

Self-hosting is n8n's other big draw: data stays on your infrastructure, which matters for regulated or sensitive workflows. The catch is that you run, update and secure it yourself, and the Sustainable Use License restricts reselling n8n as a service. SSO and Git-based version control require paid editions.

Pick Zapier if non-developers will build and own the automations, or you need a connector only Zapier has. Pick n8n if engineers are involved, runs are long or frequent, or you want AI agents and data under your own control.

Choose n8n if…

Technical teams that want self-hosted automations and AI agents without per-task fees
You need to host it on your own servers
You need Self-hosted, which Zapier doesn't list
Free self-hosted Community edition
Priced per execution, not per step

Choose Zapier if…

Non-technical teams that want to connect common SaaS apps quickly
Largest library of app integrations
Easy for non-developers to set up

What is n8n?

n8n is a node-based workflow automation platform popular with technical teams. Workflows are built on a canvas from nodes for apps, logic, HTTP requests and custom JavaScript or Python, and it has become a common choice for building AI agents, with nodes for LLMs, vector stores, memory and human-in-the-loop approvals. Its biggest difference from Zapier and Make is deployment: you can self-host the free Community edition with Docker on your own server, which keeps data in-house and avoids per-task charges, or pay for n8n's cloud. The source is available under n8n's Sustainable Use License, a fair-code licence that allows free internal use but restricts offering n8n as a commercial service, so it isn't open source in the OSI sense. Cloud and paid self-hosted plans are priced by workflow executions rather than individual steps, which makes long workflows cheaper. Business and Enterprise editions add SSO, Git-based version control and environments. The interface assumes some technical comfort.

What is Zapier?

Zapier lets you connect web apps with automated workflows called Zaps: when something happens in one app, such as a new form entry or a paid invoice, Zapier performs actions in others, like adding a CRM contact or posting to Slack. It has the largest catalogue of ready-made app integrations of any automation tool, which is its main advantage: if a SaaS product has an integration with anything, it is usually Zapier. Beyond Zaps it now includes Tables for simple data storage, Forms, AI steps and agents, and an MCP server so AI assistants like Claude and ChatGPT can take actions in your apps. The builder is approachable for non-technical users, though complex branching logic gets awkward compared with visual canvas tools. Pricing is based on tasks, meaning each successful action, with a free plan limited to simple two-step Zaps and paid plans for multi-step workflows and teams. Costs can climb quickly at high volume. It is browser-based.

Side by side

Attribute	n8n	Zapier
Pricing	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Open source	No	No
Self-hostable	Yes	No
Platforms	Web, Self-hosted	Web
Best for	Technical teams that want self-hosted automations and AI agents without per-task fees	Non-technical teams that want to connect common SaaS apps quickly
Status	Active	Active

Verified facts, compared

Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.

Fact	n8n	Zapier
Integrations	2,000+	9,000+ apps

n8n vs Zapier pricing

n8n: free plan + paid

Cloud starting price: €20/month (annual), 2.5K executions source
Pro price: €50/month (annual), 10K executions source
License: Sustainable Use License (fair-code) source

n8n pricing page

Zapier: free plan + paid

Free plan: Yes, 100 tasks/month source
Starting price: $19.99/month (Professional) source
Team plan: From $69/month source

Zapier pricing page

Platforms

Platform	n8n	Zapier
Web
Self-hosted

n8n facts

5 of 5 verified

Cloud starting price: €20/month (annual), 2.5K executions; Checked Oct 25, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “20€ /mo, billed annually 2.5K workflow executions”
Pro price: €50/month (annual), 10K executions; Checked Oct 25, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “50€ /mo, billed annually 10K workflow executions”
Self-hosting: Yes, free Community edition; Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “Without a license key, n8n runs as the free Community edition.”
Integrations: 2,000+; Checked Oct 25, 2026n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “Best app + software integrations Browse 2,000+ integrations for apps, services, and APIs, and build them into your workflows.”
License: Sustainable Use License (fair-code); Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.n8n.io(opens source in a new tab); “n8n uses the Sustainable Use License and n8n Enterprise License .”

Zapier facts

4 of 4 verified

Free plan: Yes, 100 tasks/month; Checked Oct 25, 2026zapier.com(opens source in a new tab); “Free forever $0 /month Start automating with AI. Zaps, Tables, and Forms included (100 tasks per month).”
Starting price: $19.99/month (Professional); Checked Oct 25, 2026zapier.com(opens source in a new tab); “Professional Starting from $19.99 /month”
Team plan: From $69/month; Checked Oct 25, 2026zapier.com(opens source in a new tab); “Team Starting from $69 /month Collaborate with your team to build and manage complete AI-powered systems.”
Integrations: 9,000+ apps; Checked Oct 25, 2026zapier.com(opens source in a new tab); “Zapier connects to 9,000+ apps—more than any other automation tool.”

Pros and cons of n8n

Free self-hosted Community edition
Priced per execution, not per step
Code nodes and strong AI agent tooling
Fair-code licence restricts commercial resale
Less friendly for non-technical users
SSO and version control need paid editions

More n8n alternatives

Pros and cons of Zapier

Largest library of app integrations
Easy for non-developers to set up
Tables, Forms, AI steps and MCP in one account
Per-task pricing gets expensive at high volume
Free plan limited to two-step Zaps
Complex branching is clumsier than canvas-based tools

More Zapier alternatives

Other apps to consider

Activepieces
Instead of n8n
MIT-licensed integrations and a simpler builder, also self-hostable.
Make
Instead of n8n
Hosted visual builder that non-technical teammates find easier.
Node-RED
Instead of n8n
Fully open-source (Apache 2.0) flow tool, strong for IoT and event handling.
Microsoft Power Automate
Instead of Zapier
Often already licensed for Microsoft 365 shops, with desktop RPA included.
Pabbly Connect
Instead of Zapier
Budget option with a one-time lifetime plan instead of monthly fees.
Integrately
Instead of Zapier
Cheaper per task with ready-made one-click automations.

n8n vs Zapier: common questions

Is n8n better than Zapier?

Is n8n free?

n8n has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.

Is Zapier free?

Zapier has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.

Is n8n or Zapier open source?

Neither is open source.

Which platforms do n8n and Zapier support?

n8n: Web and Self-hosted. Zapier: Web.