n8n vs Zapier

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-08-15
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At a glance

Dimensionn8nZapier
PricingFree self-hosted (Cloud: Free tier with 2k executions); paid plans start at $20/moFree tier with 100 tasks; paid plans start at $19.99/mo
Target UserTechnical teams & developersNon-technical business users
DeploymentCloud & self-hosted (on-prem)Cloud-only
Code FlexibilityJS/Python code nodes, custom APICode steps in select plans (Web IDE)
AI IntegrationNative multi-model AI agents with RAGAI assistants via Copilot & Agents
Integrations500+ pre-built9,000+ apps

If you're a technical team that needs full control, code flexibility, and on-prem deployment, choose n8n. If you're a non-technical business user needing to connect thousands of apps quickly with no coding, Zapier is superior. n8n wins on power and price for developers; Zapier wins on breadth and ease for business users.

Try n8nTry Zapier
n8n
n8n

Open-source AI workflow automation with code-level control and traceable agents

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Zapier
Zapier

Connect 9,000+ apps and orchestrate AI agents with Zapier's no-code platform

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Pricing
Freemium
Freemium
Plans
$0/mo
€20/mo (billed annually)
€50/mo (billed annually)
€667/mo (billed annually)
Contact Sales
$0/mo
$19.99/mo (starting from)
Popularity
5.8k views
3.6k views
Skill Level
Intermediate
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
Web
Web
Categories
🤖 Automation & Agents🕸️ Agent Frameworks & Orchestration
🤖 Automation & Agents
Features
Visual workflow builder with drag-and-drop nodes
Insert JavaScript or Python anywhere
500+ pre-built integrations
AI agent builder with multi-agent and RAG support
MCP support for legacy systems
Human-in-the-loop approvals and guardrails
Self-host via Docker or n8n Cloud
Git-based version control with workflow diffs
SSO/SAML/LDAP, encrypted secrets, RBAC
Audit logs and log streaming to SIEM
Re-run single steps, replay or mock data
Execution-based pricing (not per step)
Native AI evaluation with real data
AI Assistant with credits (preview)
Offline model support
Connect 9,000+ apps via pre-built integrations
Multi-step Zaps with branching logic and filters
AI Workflows with generative steps
Zapier MCP: connect AI chats to apps
Zapier SDK Beta: integrate AI coding agents
Tables: store data for Zaps to read/update
Forms: capture inputs to trigger workflows
Canvas: visual workflow planning with AI
Agents: create AI assistants for any task
Chatbots: automated customer Q&A with AI
Zapier Copilot: personalized automation assistant
Functions Beta: code workflows in web IDE
Central dashboard for monitoring AI actions
Enterprise-grade security (SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, CCPA)
Unified task-based pricing for AI, code, and SDK
Integrations
Slack
Google Sheets
Salesforce
HubSpot
Notion
GitHub
Jira
OpenAI
Anthropic
Microsoft Graph
IMAP
SMTP
HTTP
GraphQL
PostgreSQL
Gmail
ChatGPT (OpenAI)
Microsoft Teams
Zendesk
Jira Software Cloud
NetSuite
Microsoft Dynamics CRM
QuickBooks Online
Trello

Who should pick which

  • Solo developer
    Pick: n8n

    n8n's self-hosted version is free and offers code nodes and Git version control, allowing full customization without recurring costs.

  • Marketing manager
    Pick: Zapier

    Zapier's no-code interface and 9,000+ integrations make it easy to connect marketing tools like HubSpot and Mailchimp without developer help.

  • IT Ops team
    Pick: n8n

    n8n's on-prem deployment and AI agent support with RAG enable secure, auditable automation for employee onboarding and infrastructure workflows.

  • SaaS startup on a budget
    Pick: n8n

    Self-hosting n8n avoids per-task fees, allowing unlimited automation for a flat infrastructure cost, ideal for high-volume operations.

  • Enterprise RevOps
    Pick: Zapier

    Zapier's enterprise governance, lead routing, and extensive CRM integrations streamline complex sales pipelines across teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

n8n vs Zapier: which should you choose?

If you're a technical team that needs full control, code flexibility, and on-prem deployment, choose n8n. If you're a non-technical business user needing to connect thousands of apps quickly with no coding, Zapier is superior. n8n wins on power and price for developers; Zapier wins on breadth and ease for business users.

Can n8n handle complex branching logic better than Zapier?

Yes, n8n allows native code nodes (JS/Python) and conditional logic with full control, while Zapier relies on limited conditional steps in its visual builder.

Does Zapier support on-premises deployment?

No, Zapier is cloud-only. For on-prem automation, n8n is the clear choice with full self-hosting capabilities via Docker.

Which tool has more integrations?

Zapier boasts 9,000+ pre-built integrations, far more than n8n's 500. However, n8n offers custom API connections for any app.

Are there free versions available?

Both offer free tiers: n8n's self-hosted version is entirely free; its cloud free tier is limited. Zapier's free tier allows 100 tasks/month.

Which is better for building AI agents?

n8n provides native multi-model AI agents with RAG and guardrails, while Zapier offers AI assistants via Copilot and Agents. n8n is more flexible for custom AI workflows.

Can I debug workflows in n8n?

Yes, n8n allows you to re-run single steps, replay data, and inspect input/output at each node, making debugging easier than Zapier's live testing.

Does Zapier support code steps?

Yes, on higher-tier plans, Zapier offers a built-in web IDE (Functions) for custom code, but it's less flexible than n8n's code nodes placed anywhere.

Which platform is better for high-volume automation?

n8n self-hosted has no per-execution cost, making it more affordable for high volumes. Zapier's task-based pricing can become expensive.

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Explore each tool further

n8n
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Zapier
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Last reviewed: May 12, 2026