Updated April 2026
Zapier vs n8n
Quick verdict
Both tools earn a 4.5★ rating. Zapier is best for Teams automating cross-app workflows, while n8n shines for Developers and technical teams who want self-hosted automation with powerful AI . Choose based on your specific needs.
Zapier
AI workflow automation for 7,000+ apps
Freemium
n8n
Open-source workflow automation with self-hosting and AI agent capabilities
Freemium
| Feature | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5 / 5 | ★ 4.5 / 5 |
| Pricing | Free (100 tasks) · Starter $19.99/mo · Pro $49/mo | Free (self-hosted) / Starter $24/mo / Pro $60/mo / Enterprise (custom) |
| Best For | Teams automating cross-app workflows | Developers and technical teams who want self-hosted automation with powerful AI agent capabilities and full data control |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
Zapier — Key Features
Pros
- Largest integration library
- No-code
- AI data processing
- Reliable
Cons
- Expensive at scale
- Complex workflows need planning
- Free tier limited
n8n — Key Features
- Open-source, self-hostable
- 400+ app integrations
- AI Agent nodes (OpenAI, Claude, Ollama)
- Visual workflow builder
- Webhooks and APIs
- Code nodes (JS/Python)
Pros
- Free to self-host
- Most powerful AI agent workflows of any automation tool
- Full data sovereignty
- Active community
Cons
- Requires DevOps knowledge to self-host
- Cloud pricing less competitive at scale
- Smaller app library than Zapier
- Less polished UI than Make or Zapier
What is Zapier?
Zapier is AI workflow automation for 7,000+ apps. It is best suited for Teams automating cross-app workflows.
What is n8n?
n8n is Open-source workflow automation with self-hosting and AI agent capabilities. It is best suited for Developers and technical teams who want self-hosted automation with powerful AI agent capabilities and full data control.
Key differences at a glance
- Rating: Zapier scores 4.5/5, n8n scores 4.5/5
- Pricing model: Zapier is Freemium, n8n is Freemium
- Zapier pricing: Free (100 tasks) · Starter $19.99/mo · Pro $49/mo
- n8n pricing: Free (self-hosted) / Starter $24/mo / Pro $60/mo / Enterprise (custom)
- Best for: Zapier → Teams automating cross-app workflows | n8n → Developers and technical teams who want self-hosted automation with powerful AI
Pricing comparison
| Tool | Pricing |
| Zapier | Free (100 tasks) · Starter $19.99/mo · Pro $49/mo |
| n8n | Free (self-hosted) / Starter $24/mo / Pro $60/mo / Enterprise (custom) |
Pricing verified April 2026. Use our AI Cost Calculator →
Which tool should you choose?
Choose Zapier if: you prioritise Teams automating cross-app workflows. Zapier's strengths include Largest integration library, No-code.
Choose n8n if: you need Developers and technical teams who want self-hosted automation with powerful AI agent capabilities a. n8n stands out for Free to self-host, Most powerful AI agent workflows of any automation tool.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Zapier or n8n better?
It depends on your use case. Zapier scores 4.5/5 on ToolChase and is best for Teams automating cross-app workflows. n8n scores 4.5/5 and is best for Developers and technical teams who want self-hosted automation with powerful AI .
How much does Zapier cost?
Free (100 tasks) · Starter $19.99/mo · Pro $49/mo See the Zapier review for full details.
How much does n8n cost?
Free (self-hosted) / Starter $24/mo / Pro $60/mo / Enterprise (custom) See the n8n review for full details.
Can I use both Zapier and n8n?
Yes — many teams use complementary tools. Zapier is stronger for Teams automating cross-app workflows, while n8n covers Developers and technical teams who want self-hosted automati.
Not sold on either?
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