Zapier vs n8n
A detailed comparison of Zapier and n8n to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
💰 Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | ✓ 100 tasks/mo, 5 Zaps | ✓ Free (self-hosted) |
| Lowest Paid | $19.99/mo | $20/mo (cloud) |
| Enterprise | $69/mo | Custom pricing |
⚡ Feature Comparison
| Feature | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| App integrations | ✓ | — |
| Multi-step workflows | ✓ | — |
| Filters | ✓ | — |
| Formatters | ✓ | — |
| Paths | ✓ | — |
| Schedules | ✓ | — |
| Webhooks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Code steps | ✓ | — |
| AI actions | ✓ | — |
| Tables | ✓ | — |
| Visual workflow editor | — | ✓ |
| 350+ integrations | — | ✓ |
| Self-hosting | — | ✓ |
| Custom code | — | ✓ |
| Error handling | — | ✓ |
| REST API | — | ✓ |
| Templates | — | ✓ |
| Credentials sharing | — | ✓ |
| Execution history | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✗ | ✓ |
| Rating | ⭐ 4.4 | ⭐ 4.3 |
Pros & Cons
Zapier
Pros
- ✓ Huge app library
- ✓ Easy to use
- ✓ Reliable
- ✓ Good documentation
Cons
- ✗ Expensive at scale
- ✗ Limited free plan
- ✗ Slow execution
- ✗ Complex for power users
n8n
Pros
- ✓ Self-hostable
- ✓ Source-available
- ✓ Custom code support
- ✓ Good free tier
Cons
- ✗ Technical setup
- ✗ Fair-code license
- ✗ Fewer integrations
- ✗ UI complexity
🏆 The Verdict
Choose Zapier if: You need non-technical users automating workflows. Zapier excels with its huge app library and easy to use.
Choose n8n if: You need developers wanting self-hosted automation. n8n stands out with its self-hostable and source-available.
Best free option: Both Zapier and n8n offer free tiers. Zapier offers "100 tasks/mo, 5 Zaps" while n8n offers "Free (self-hosted)".
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zapier better than n8n?
It depends on your needs. Zapier is better for non-technical users automating workflows, while n8n is better for developers wanting self-hosted automation. Both are excellent tools rated 4.4 and 4.3 respectively.
Which is cheaper, Zapier or n8n?
Zapier starts at $19.99/mo while n8n starts at $20/mo (cloud). Both offer free tiers.
Can I switch from Zapier to n8n?
Most tools offer import/export features to help you migrate. We recommend trying n8n's free tier before fully committing to a switch.
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