Zapier vs n8n

Zapier starts ~$20/mo (per-task); n8n starts €20/mo (per-execution). Pick Zapier for widest app coverage; pick n8n for scale + self-host. Pricing verified against each vendor's live page (2026-06-01).

Pick Zapier if you want widest app coverage; pick n8n if you want scale + self-host. They bill on different models (per-task vs per-execution), so the cheaper one flips depending on how you run agents. The math is below.

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Head to head

Every attribute, both tools, side by side.

Zapier

widest app coverage
pricing modelper-task
entry price~$20/mo
free tier100 tasks/mo
self-hostNo
mcpBoth
the gotchaYou pay per task, meaning per successful action step, not per Zap run, so one multi-step Zap multiplies task usage fast. The headline ~$20/mo only buys 750 tasks and the bill scales steeply with volume. AI features (Zapier Agents at ~$33/mo, Chatbots at ~$13/mo) are separate paid add-ons.
Visit Zapier →
VS

n8n

scale + self-host
pricing modelper-execution
entry price€20/mo
free tierself-host free
self-hostYes
mcpBoth
the gotchaBilled per full workflow run, not per step. A 50-step workflow is one execution. Cloud list prices are in EUR, and the cheap path is self-hosting.
Visit n8n →

The real pricing math

One workflow, 6 steps, run hourly (about 720 runs a month). Same job, two billing shapes.

Zapierper-task
billable unit1 task per run
720 runs720 billed units
entry plan~$20/mo
free tier100 tasks/mo

Free covers 100 tasks/mo (two-step Zaps only). Professional starts at ~$19.99/mo billed annually, but that entry only includes 750 tasks/mo and the price climbs as you pick higher task tiers (up to 2M/mo). Team is ~$69/mo billed annually for 25 users. A task is billed per successful action, so a 5-step Zap burns 5 tasks every run.

n8nper-execution
billable unit1 execution per step
6 steps × 720 runs~4,320 billed units
entry plan€20/mo
free tierself-host free

Cloud Starter is ~€20/mo (billed annually) for 2,500 executions. Self-hosted Community Edition is free and unmetered.

// worked estimate from each pricing model · run your own numbers in the real-cost calculator →

Choose Zapier if

  • You want the broadest library of pre-built app integrations and a mature no-code builder, and you accept paying per task as volume grows.
  • You prefer a fully managed cloud tool with no infra.
  • You're comfortable with its per-task billing.
  • Best for widest app coverage.

Choose n8n if

  • You want the cheapest option at scale, or to self-host and keep full control of your data.
  • You want the option to self-host and keep portability.
  • You're comfortable with its per-execution billing.
  • Best for scale + self-host.

Related comparisons

n8n vs make→zapier vs make→ zapier alternatives→ n8n alternatives→ zapier pricing→ n8n pricing→ zapier review→ n8n review→

Questions

Zapier vs n8n: which is cheaper?

Zapier starts from ~$20/mo; n8n starts from €20/mo. But they bill differently (per-task vs per-execution), so the real winner depends on your usage shape, not the sticker price.

Can you self-host Zapier or n8n?

Zapier: No. n8n: Yes.

Zapier vs n8n: which should I pick?

Pick Zapier for widest app coverage; pick n8n for scale + self-host.