Many teams looking to save time turn to workflow automation tools. Zapier has become one of the most popular options because it is easy to set up and works with thousands of apps. n8n has grown quickly as an open-source alternative, offering more control and flexibility for technical users. Both platforms aim to cut down on manual work and keep systems connected, but the choice often comes down to cost, ease of use, and the level of customization a team needs.
Zapier focuses on simple, no-code automations, while n8n appeals to those who want deeper control or to self-host workflows. The following comparison covers pricing, features, integrations, and best use cases so readers can decide which tool fits their needs.
What is n8n?
n8n is an open-source automation platform that gives technical teams more flexibility and control over workflows. It can be self-hosted for free or used through n8n’s managed cloud, making it popular with developers and startups that want to avoid per-task pricing models.
Strengths
- Open-source with self-hosting option for full data and infrastructure ownership.
- Flexible workflow builder that supports advanced logic and branching.
- Extensible with custom JavaScript functions and community-built nodes.
- Predictable costs at scale with no per-task billing when self-hosted.
Drawbacks
- Technical knowledge required for setup, maintenance, and hosting.
- Smaller app library compared to Zapier, with reliance on custom API connections.
- Usage limits in the cloud version may require upgrades as workflows expand.
- Less accessible for non-technical users than no-code SaaS tools.
Read our review: n8n Review: Is This Open-Source Automation Tool Worth It?
What is Zapier?
Zapier is a cloud-based automation platform designed for non-technical users who want to connect apps quickly. It offers one of the largest integration libraries on the market, with more than 8,000 supported apps, making it simple to set up workflows without writing code.
Strengths
- Beginner-friendly no-code interface for fast automation setup.
- 8,000+ app integrations covering popular business tools.
- Reliable, fully hosted platform with no server setup required.
- Strong documentation and community support.
Drawbacks
- Costs rise quickly as task volume grows.
- Limited customization for complex logic or advanced data handling.
- Less suited for technical teams that want full control over workflows and infrastructure.
- Limited control over where and how data is stored.
Read our review: Zapier Review (2025): A Strong Option, but Watch Out for Task Limits and Costs
n8n vs Zapier: Features comparison
| Category | n8n | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open-source and free to self-host. Paid cloud plans scale with executions and resources. | Subscription model based on monthly task volume. Costs rise with usage. |
| Integrations | Smaller library with hundreds of nodes, but supports custom API connections and community extensions | Subscription model based on monthly task volume. Costs rise with usage. |
| Ease of use | Steeper learning curve; best suited for technical users comfortable with logic and code. | Simple, no-code interface designed for non-technical users. Workflows can be built in minutes. |
| Customization | Highly flexible with JavaScript functions, branching, and custom nodes. | Limited advanced logic and data handling. Best for straightforward workflows. | Scalability | Scales well when self-hosted but requires infrastructure setup and ongoing maintenance. | Fully managed SaaS with hosting, monitoring, and reliability included. |
n8n vs. Zapier: Pricing comparison
Pricing is often the first consideration when teams compare Zapier and n8n. Zapier follows a subscription model tied to the number of tasks run each month, which can become costly as usage grows. n8n takes a different approach with execution-based pricing for its cloud plans and a free self-hosted option that shifts costs to infrastructure and maintenance.
n8n pricing tiers
| Plan | Monthly pricing | Annual (per month) | Executions included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted / community | $0 licensing | $0 licensing | Infra-dependent |
| Starter | $24 | $20 | 2,500 |
| Pro | $60 | $50 | 10,000 |
| Business | $800 | $667 | 40,000 | Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Custom |
Zapier pricing tiers
| Plan | Monthly pricing | Annual (per month) | Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 100/mo |
| Professional | $29.99 | $19.99 | 750/mo |
| Team | $103.50 | $69 | 2000/mo |
| Enterprise | Contact sales | Contact sales | Varies |
Prices scale by task, these are “Starting from” amounts
Tasks vs. executions: What’s the difference?
One of the biggest differences between Zapier and n8n is how they measure usage. Understanding the distinction between tasks and executions is key to comparing pricing.
n8n uses executions. An execution is a complete workflow run, no matter how many steps it contains. In the same example, moving a lead from Facebook Ads to HubSpot and Slack would count as one execution. If that workflow runs 100 times, it uses 100 executions. This model makes n8n more predictable for complex workflows with multiple branches or steps, especially when self-hosted.
Zapier uses tasks. A task is counted every time Zapier performs an action. For example, if a workflow takes a new lead from Facebook Ads, adds it to HubSpot, and then posts a Slack notification, that counts as two tasks. If the same workflow runs 100 times in a month, it consumes 200 tasks. Since Zapier plans are priced by task volume, costs increase as workflows add more steps or run more frequently.
| Example workflow: Facebook Ads → HubSpot → Slack | n8n (Executions) | Zapier (Tasks) |
|---|---|---|
| Steps in workflow | 1 | 2 |
| Runs per month | 100 | 100 |
| Total usage counted | 100 executions | 200 tasks |
For simple workflows, Zapier’s task-based model may be cost-effective. But as workflows scale and involve multiple steps, n8n’s execution-based pricing often results in lower and more predictable costs.
n8n vs. Zapier integrations
The size and depth of an automation platform’s integration library often decide how useful it will be for a team. Zapier emphasizes broad coverage, supporting thousands of SaaS tools across marketing, sales, operations, and productivity. n8n offers fewer pre-built integrations but balances this with flexibility, allowing teams to connect directly to APIs and extend workflows with community-built nodes. Understanding these differences helps teams evaluate whether they need maximum app coverage or deeper customization options.
Integrations: Side-by-side comparison
| Category | n8n | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Number of integrations | Hundreds of built-in “nodes” with ongoing additions. | 8,000+ apps across marketing, sales, productivity, and operations. |
| Custom connections | Full API access via HTTP requests, webhooks, and custom nodes. | Limited to what each app’s connector supports. |
| Ease of setup | Requires more technical knowledge to configure API calls and custom nodes. | Pre-configured triggers and actions, no-code setup. |
| Community support | Open-source community builds and shares new nodes in the marketplace. | Large user base, official support, and strong documentation. |
| Best fit | Teams that value flexibility and can build or adapt integrations. | Teams needing the widest app coverage with minimal setup. |
Ease of use: Side-by-side comparison
How quickly a team can build and manage workflows is often just as important as the features themselves. Zapier was built to be approachable for non-technical users, with a no-code interface and ready-to-use automation templates. n8n, on the other hand, offers more flexibility but comes with a steeper learning curve that suits technical teams better than beginners.
| Category | n8n | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Visual editor with advanced branching, designed for technical users. | No-code, drag-and-drop builder with a clean visual editor. |
| Learning curve | Steeper curve; requires comfort with APIs, logic, and scripting. | Easy for beginners; most workflows can be built in minutes. |
| Templates | Limited templates; relies more on customization and community nodes. | Thousands of pre-built workflow templates for quick setup. |
| Setup & hosting | Can be cloud-hosted or self-hosted; self-hosting requires infra management. | Fully managed SaaS, no technical setup required. |
| Best fit | Developers, technical startups, and teams needing deep customization. | Non-technical teams, small businesses, marketing and sales roles. |
Customization and flexibility
Zapier focuses on straightforward automations with limited coding, which makes it easier for beginners but restrictive for advanced use cases. n8n is designed for deeper customization, giving developers the ability to extend workflows with code, connect to any API, and build logic that goes far beyond pre-defined templates.
| Category | n8n | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Logic | Advanced branching, loops, and execution control. | Basic conditional logic, filters, and paths. |
| APIs & webhooks | Full API access via HTTP request nodes, webhooks, and custom nodes. | Webhooks available, but limited compared to full API control. |
| Extensibility | Custom JavaScript functions and community marketplace for new nodes. | Restricted to pre-defined triggers/actions. |
| Data ownership | Full control of data flow when self-hosted. | Managed in Zapier’s cloud environment. |
| Best fit | Developers and technical teams needing advanced, flexible workflows. | Users wanting simple customizations without coding. |
Scalability and reliability
Zapier’s fully hosted SaaS model handles infrastructure, monitoring, and uptime, making it reliable for most small and mid-sized businesses. n8n can scale significantly when self-hosted or deployed in enterprise environments, but this requires technical resources to manage performance, security, and redundancy.
| Category | n8n | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Self-hosted or n8n Cloud; self-hosting requires infrastructure. | Fully managed SaaS, no setup required. |
| Reliability | Reliability depends on hosting setup and team’s maintenance efforts. | Automatic monitoring, updates, and uptime handled by Zapier. |
| Performance | Can scale with dedicated resources, but requires configuration. | Consistent execution but limited control over environment. |
| Maintenance | Ongoing updates, monitoring, and scaling needed for self-hosted use. | None required by users. |
| Best fit | Teams with technical resources to manage performance and scaling. | Businesses wanting reliable, worry-free automation. |
Bottom line: Which should you choose?
Choose Zapier if your team needs a straightforward, no-code automation platform with the broadest app coverage. It’s the best fit for small businesses, marketing teams, and non-technical users who want to get workflows running quickly without managing infrastructure.
Choose n8n if your team has technical resources and wants more flexibility, customization, and cost control at scale. It’s ideal for startups with developers, companies handling sensitive data who prefer self-hosting, and teams that need advanced logic beyond Zapier’s limits.
The choice ultimately depends on whether you value ease of use and convenience (Zapier) or control and scalability (n8n).
