n8nFreemium
Open-source workflow automation tool with a visual builder — self-host or use their cloud.
Automation comparison
n8n vs Zapier
Pricing, pros, cons, and ideal use cases — side by side.
ZapierFreemium
The most widely used automation platform — connects 6,000+ apps with simple triggers.
At a glance
| n8n | Zapier | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | FreemiumFree to self-host. Cloud Starter from $20/month. Cloud Pro from $50/month. The vendor's pricing page showed these tiers in euros (20 EUR Starter, 50 EUR Pro, 667 EUR Business, billed annually) when read in early October 2026, so confirm the USD figure at checkout. | FreemiumFree plan available (100 tasks/month). Paid from $19.99/month. |
| Category | Automation | Automation |
| Ideal for | Tech-savvy SMBsAgenciesSaaSAny business wanting data control | Any SMBLaw FirmsAccountantsInsurance |
Pros & cons
n8n
Pros
- Open source and self-hostable
- No per-execution pricing
- Custom code nodes
- Active community and integrations
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical knowledge
- Smaller integration library than Zapier
- UI less polished than commercial alternatives
Zapier
Pros
- Easiest to learn
- 6,000+ app integrations
- Reliable and battle-tested
Cons
- Expensive at scale
- Limited logic compared to Make
- Each step counts as a task
Which should you choose?
n8n is built around tech-savvy smbs; Zapier leans more toward any smb. Shortlist the one whose strengths line up with your biggest constraint.
Still deciding between n8n and Zapier?
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