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Software · head to head

n8n vs Zapier Plus

n8n logo

n8n

Software

The fair-code workflow automation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zapier Plus logo

Zapier Plus

Software

Advanced automation with Zapier

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 Plus task-based pricing model becomes expensive at scale (10,000 tasks per month costs approximately $600/month)
  • They diverge on capability: n8n covers Visual editor, Zapier Plus covers Advanced app integrations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which n8n and Zapier Plus actually diverge.

Attributes where n8n and Zapier Plus differ
Attributen8nZapier Plus
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Docker, Self-hostedWeb
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
  • Error handling
  • Scheduling
  • REST API
  • 400+ integrations
  • HTTP requests

Only in Zapier Plus

  • Advanced app integrations
  • Multi-step Zaps
  • Custom logic
  • Team collaboration
  • Premium support
  • 7000+ apps
  • Custom APIs
  • REST endpoints

Both cover

  • Workflow automation
  • Webhooks
  • Webhooks
  • 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 Plus
  • Visual workflow design with capability to write custom JavaScript or Python codenot Zapier Plus
  • Enterprise deployments with self-hosted or cloud optionsnot Zapier Plus
  • Integrating 500+ pre-built applications with custom API connectionsnot Zapier Plus

Zapier Plus

  • Workflow Automationnot n8n
  • Data Integrationnot n8n
  • Process Automationnot n8n
  • App Integrationnot n8n
  • API Connectivitynot 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 Plus

  • Task-based pricing model becomes expensive at scale (10,000 tasks per month costs approximately $600/month)
  • Free plan limited to 2-step Zaps only and 100 tasks per month, with no access to webhooks or advanced features
  • 15-minute polling interval on free plan prevents real-time automation triggers
  • Limited support for complex nested conditional logic compared to workflow platforms like n8n or Make
  • Third-party orchestration layer adds latency compared to native integrations within single platforms

Pricing, plan by plan

n8n

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the n8n review.

Zapier Plus

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100 tasks per month
    • Unlimited Zaps, Tables, and Forms
    • 2-step Zaps only
  • Professional$19.99/month (annual pricing)
    • 750+ tasks per month
    • Multi-step Zaps
    • Webhook support
  • Team$69/month (annual pricing)
    • 2,000+ tasks per month
    • All Professional features
    • 25 users

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 Plus if

  • You need advanced app integrations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want multi-step zaps.
Zapier Plus review

Questions people ask

Is n8n or Zapier Plus better?
Neither clearly leads. n8n starts at Free and Zapier Plus at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, n8n or Zapier Plus?
n8n starts at Free and Zapier Plus at Free.
Does n8n or Zapier Plus run on more platforms?
n8n runs on Web, Docker, Self-hosted. Zapier Plus runs on Web.
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 Plus is typically brought in for.
What can n8n do that Zapier Plus cannot?
n8n covers Visual editor, Conditional execution, Looping, Error handling. Zapier Plus covers Advanced app integrations, Multi-step Zaps, Custom logic, Team collaboration. Both handle Workflow automation, Webhooks, Webhooks, Cloud deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Zapier Plus: How much does Zapier cost and what is included in each plan?

Zapier offers a Free plan with 100 tasks per month at no cost. The Professional plan starts at $19.99 per month (billed annually) for 750 tasks, with pricing scaling up based on task volume. The Team plan starts at $69 per month for 2,000 tasks. Enterprise plans are custom priced. Annual subscriptions receive 33% off compared to month-to-month billing.

Source
Zapier Plus: What is a task in Zapier and how much does it cost if I exceed my plan limit?

Each trigger and action pair in a Zapier workflow counts as one task. For example, a 5-step Zap that runs 1,000 times per month uses 5,000 tasks. If you exceed your plan's task limit, you can enable pay-per-task overage pricing. At higher volumes, Zapier can cost significantly more than competitors like Make or n8n.

Source
Zapier Plus: What can I do with Zapier's free plan?

The Free plan includes 100 tasks per month, unlimited Zap workflows, unlimited Tables and Forms, two-factor authentication, and basic AI features. However, it is limited to simple 2-step Zaps (one trigger, one action), no webhook support, 15-minute polling intervals for trigger checks, and only 2,500 records in Tables.

Source
Zapier Plus: How many apps and integrations does Zapier support?

Zapier supports integration with over 7,000 applications and services, including all major SaaS platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, Notion, GitHub, Stripe, Xero, and QuickBooks. This extensive app library is one of Zapier's main competitive advantages.

Source
Zapier Plus: Does Zapier support webhooks and advanced workflow features?

Professional and higher plans support webhooks, allowing data from apps without native Zapier integrations. Multi-step Zaps support conditional paths, filters, and approval workflows. Code steps allow custom JavaScript or Python logic for advanced automation. The free plan does not support webhooks.

Source
Zapier Plus: What are Zapier's limitations for complex automation scenarios?

Zapier's linear workflow builder struggles with deeply nested conditions and multi-outcome branching logic. As a third-party orchestration layer, Zapier adds latency compared to native integrations. Free plan polling is every 15 minutes, limiting real-time responsiveness. For high-volume automation (10,000+ tasks/month), Zapier becomes significantly more expensive than alternatives.

Source
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