The short answer: Zapier for quick no-code automations, n8n for complex or self-hosted ones
Choose Zapier if non-technical people will build automations between popular apps and you want to start free. Choose n8n if developers build long workflows with code, you want to pay per execution rather than per step, or data must stay on your own servers.
Scope and evidence
Task: automating a routine that moves data between apps, with an AI step. Facts come from Zapier's and n8n's pricing pages, read on November 3, 2026, and our profiles of both tools.
AppFor.ai did not build workflows in either tool for this page. Zapier prices are starting prices for the lowest task tier billed yearly (monthly billing costs more; Zapier says yearly saves up to 33%); n8n prices are billed annually.
Compare the same criteria
Each line compares Zapier and n8n on the same aspect of running an automation.
- Pricing unit. Zapier: tasks; AI steps, code and SDK use the same task-based model. n8n: monthly workflow executions, regardless of complexity. What this means: long multi-step workflows usually cost less to scale on n8n.
- Entry plans. Zapier: Free with 100 tasks a month and two-step Zaps; Professional from $19.99 a month; Team from $69. n8n: Starter €20 and Pro €50 a month billed annually; Business €667 a month, self-hosted. What this means: only Zapier has a free cloud plan.
- Hosting. Zapier: cloud only. n8n: managed cloud or self-hosted, with a free self-hosted Community edition under the Sustainable Use License. What this means: n8n fits data-residency needs.
- Users. Zapier Team: 25 users. n8n: unlimited users and workflows on all plans. What this means: n8n is simpler to share widely.
- Building style. Zapier: no-code steps, Tables, Forms and MCP. n8n: visual workflows with JavaScript or Python and per-step execution inspection. What this means: n8n rewards technical builders.
Which fits your real work?
A marketing team sending form leads to a CRM and Slack. Zapier fits.
An engineering team running a 20-step data pipeline with an LLM step thousands of times a month. n8n fits.
A company that cannot send customer data to a third-party cloud. Self-hosted n8n fits.
Cost of getting the work done
Zapier: each successful action counts as a task and the trigger does not, so a trigger plus 9 actions uses 9 tasks per run and the task allowance sets your plan. n8n: the same workflow counts as one execution per run.
Self-hosting n8n replaces the subscription with server and maintenance costs; the Community edition licence limits some commercial uses.
Try both on the same small task
Suggested check: build the same three-step automation in both.
- The workflow runs once per new row, no duplicates.
- The summary matches the row text.
- Note how many tasks or executions one run consumed.
- Time how long the build took.
Decision checklist
Use the lines that match your situation. Our Zapier and n8n profiles have more detail.
- If non-developers build workflows, choose Zapier.
- If workflows are long and frequent, price n8n first.
- If data must stay on your servers, choose self-hosted n8n.
- If you need a free cloud plan, only Zapier has one.
- Check licence terms before selling n8n-based services.
Go to the source
Sources & further reading
Based on the official documentation below. Features and access can change; check the provider before making a decision.
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