Software · head to head
Zapier Plus vs n8n
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Zapier Plus task-based pricing model becomes expensive at scale (10,000 tasks per month costs approximately $600/month); n8n starter tier limited to 1 project and 5 concurrent executions
- They diverge on capability: Zapier Plus covers Advanced app integrations, n8n covers Visual editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Zapier Plus and n8n actually diverge.
| Attribute | Zapier Plus | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Docker, Self-hosted |
| Founded | 2011 | 2019 |
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 Zapier Plus
- Advanced app integrations
- Multi-step Zaps
- Custom logic
- Team collaboration
- Premium support
- 7000+ apps
- Custom APIs
- REST endpoints
Only in n8n
- Visual editor
- Conditional execution
- Looping
- Error handling
- Scheduling
- REST API
- 400+ integrations
- HTTP requests
Both cover
- Workflow automation
- Webhooks
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Zapier Plus
- Workflow Automationnot n8n
- Data Integrationnot n8n
- Process Automationnot n8n
- App Integrationnot n8n
- API Connectivitynot n8n
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
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
n8n
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the n8n review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Zapier Plus if
- You need advanced app integrations.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want multi-step zaps.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Zapier Plus or n8n better?
- Neither clearly leads. Zapier Plus starts at Free and n8n at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Zapier Plus or n8n?
- Zapier Plus starts at Free and n8n at Free.
- Does Zapier Plus or n8n run on more platforms?
- Zapier Plus runs on Web. n8n runs on Web, Docker, Self-hosted.
- Can I use Zapier Plus for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Zapier Plus best used for?
- Zapier Plus is most often used for workflow automation, data integration, process automation, app integration. Of those, workflow automation and data integration are not what n8n is typically brought in for.
- What can Zapier Plus do that n8n cannot?
- Zapier Plus covers Advanced app integrations, Multi-step Zaps, Custom logic, Team collaboration. n8n covers Visual editor, Conditional execution, Looping, Error handling. Both handle Workflow automation, 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.
SourceZapier 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.
SourceZapier 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.
SourceZapier 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.
SourceZapier 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.
SourceZapier 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.
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