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Software · head to head

n8n vs Zapier

n8n logo

n8n

Software

The fair-code workflow automation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zapier logo

Zapier

Software

Automate your work across 7,000+ app integrations

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: n8n starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions; Zapier the free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • They diverge on capability: n8n covers Visual editor, Zapier covers App integrations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which n8n and Zapier actually diverge.

Attributes where n8n and Zapier differ
Attributen8nZapier
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
PlatformsWeb, Docker, Self-hostedWeb, Api
Founded20192011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in n8n

  • Visual editor
  • Conditional execution
  • Looping
  • Scheduling
  • Webhooks
  • REST API
  • 400+ integrations
  • HTTP requests

Only in Zapier

  • App integrations
  • Trigger-based actions
  • Multi-step Zaps
  • Data formatting
  • Conditional logic
  • Team collaboration
  • 7000+ apps
  • Gmail

Both cover

  • Workflow automation
  • Error handling
  • Slack
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

n8n

  • Building AI agents and workflow automation for technical teamsnot Zapier
  • Visual workflow design with capability to write custom JavaScript or Python codenot Zapier
  • Enterprise deployments with self-hosted or cloud optionsnot Zapier
  • Integrating 500+ pre-built applications with custom API connectionsnot Zapier

Zapier

  • Lead managementnot n8n
  • Data synchronizationnot n8n
  • Email automationnot n8n
  • Social media postingnot n8n
  • Customer onboardingnot n8n

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

n8n

  • Starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions
  • Starter and Pro tiers restricted to Cloud hosting only, not self-hosted
  • Business tier requires 6 months minimum commitment at €667/month
  • SSO/SAML/LDAP authentication requires Business or Enterprise tier
  • Dedicated support with SLA available only on Enterprise plan

Zapier

  • The free plan allows 100 tasks per month and only two-step Zaps, one trigger and one action
  • Multi-step Zaps, filters, paths, webhooks and the formatter all require a paid plan
  • Premium app connectors are withheld from the free plan
  • Free Zaps poll for new data every 15 minutes against 2 minutes on Professional and 1 minute on Team
  • Paying monthly rather than annually costs 50 percent more, so the 2,000-task Professional plan is $73.50 a month instead of $49

Pricing, plan by plan

n8n

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the n8n review.

Zapier

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100 tasks/month
    • 5 Zaps
    • Two-step Zaps
  • Starter$19.99/month
    • 750 tasks/month
    • 20 Zaps
    • Multi-step Zaps
  • Professional$49/month
    • 2,000 tasks/month
    • Unlimited Zaps
    • Custom logic

Which should you pick?

Choose n8n if

  • You need visual editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Docker, Self-hosted.
  • You also want conditional execution.
n8n review

Choose Zapier if

  • You need app integrations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want trigger-based actions.
Zapier review

Questions people ask

Is n8n or Zapier better?
Neither clearly leads. n8n starts at Free and Zapier at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, n8n or Zapier?
n8n starts at Free and Zapier at Free.
Does n8n or Zapier run on more platforms?
n8n runs on Web, Docker, Self-hosted. Zapier runs on Web, Api.
Can I use n8n for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is n8n best used for?
n8n is most often used for building ai agents and workflow automation for technical teams, visual workflow design with capability to write custom javascript or python code, enterprise deployments with self-hosted or cloud options, integrating 500+ pre-built applications with custom api connections. Of those, building ai agents and workflow automation for technical teams and visual workflow design with capability to write custom javascript or python code are not what Zapier is typically brought in for.
What can n8n do that Zapier cannot?
n8n covers Visual editor, Conditional execution, Looping, Scheduling. Zapier covers App integrations, Trigger-based actions, Multi-step Zaps, Data formatting. Both handle Workflow automation, Error handling, Slack, Cloud deployment.
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Related pages

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