AI tools › Comparisons › n8n vs Zapier
n8n vs Zapier
Both automate work across apps. They charge differently: n8n per workflow run, Zapier per task.
Based on the official pricing and product pages, checked on 2026-09-30. This is a comparison of plans and features, not a hands-on quality test.
| n8n | Zapier | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | n8n | Zapier |
| Free plan | Check pricing | Free plan |
| Plans | Cloud plans start at €20/month billed yearly, with a free trial. Self-hosting is under n8n's Sustainable Use License. | Free forever: 100 tasks a month and two-step Zaps. Professional starts at $19.99/month. |
| Good for | Automating content pipelines; Connecting forms, sheets and email; AI steps inside workflows | Simple app-to-app automations; Lead and form routing; No-code AI workflows |
Key differences
- n8n prices by monthly workflow executions, however many steps each has; Zapier counts tasks, including AI steps.
- Zapier has a free forever plan (100 tasks a month, two-step Zaps). n8n Cloud offers a free trial; Starter is €20/month billed yearly for 2,500 executions.
- All n8n plans include unlimited users and workflows.
- n8n can be self-hosted under its Sustainable Use License; Zapier is cloud only.
- Zapier Professional starts at $19.99/month.
Which should you choose?
Choose n8n if
- Your workflows have many steps (you pay per run, not per step)
- You want to self-host
Choose Zapier if
- You want a free plan for simple two-step automations
- You prefer no-code setup with no server to run
Start with both free plans if you can, and pay only for the one whose limits you hit first.