n8n vs Zapier
n8n: Open-source workflow automation you can self-host. Zapier: Hosted automation between web apps.
Pricing, free tier, and features on this page come from each tool's own site. Google autocomplete (suggestqueries.google.com, client=firefox, hl=en) for "<tool> vs", fetched 2026-10-14; a pair is kept when the suggestion appears from both sides (2+ hits). Sorted by how much you can use for free (free or open source first, then free plan with paid tiers, then paid only), then by the number of documented features, then alphabetically. No ratings or reviews are used. Read the comparison methodology. How benchmark evidence is labeled.
| n8n | Zapier | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Open-source workflow automation you can self-host. | Hosted automation between web apps. |
| Category | Automation | Automation |
| Pricing | Freemium (free plan + paid tiers) | Freemium (free plan + paid tiers) |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | Paid plans from 20€/month, billed annually | — |
| Who it's for | Technical teams automating business processes and AI workflows. | Teams and businesses from startups and first-time founders through large enterprises. |
| Key features | Visually build workflows and add JavaScript or Python steps | Automate workflows across 9,000+ apps without code |
| Connect apps with prebuilt nodes or custom API calls | Run a triggered workflow on its own after setup | |
| Run AI agents with human approval and step traces | Connect AI tools to apps without passwords or API keys | |
| Self-host on your servers, including air-gapped, or use managed cloud | Store table data workflows can read and update | |
| Start from more than 10,000 workflow templates | Set access controls per app, action, and connection | |
| Website | n8n.io | zapier.com |
Who should pick which
Pick n8n if…
- Its stated audience fits you (technical teams automating business processes and AI workflows).
- You need: Visually build workflows and add JavaScript or Python steps.
Pick Zapier if…
- Its stated audience fits you (teams and businesses from startups and first-time founders through large enterprises).
- You need: Automate workflows across 9,000+ apps without code.
FAQ
Is n8n or Zapier free?
n8n: Freemium (free plan + paid tiers). Zapier: Freemium (free plan + paid tiers). Both can be used without paying.
What is the difference between n8n and Zapier?
n8n: Open-source workflow automation you can self-host. Zapier: Hosted automation between web apps.
Data comes from each tool's homepage and pricing page. Pair chosen from search suggestions (n8n vs zapier; zapier vs n8n).