Zapier vs n8n
Both are workflow automation platforms — Zapier leans no-code SaaS tasks; n8n leans self-host / EUR Cloud executions. Choose Zapier when no-code app automation with AI steps is the job — not ChatGPT as an LLM, and not MindStudio as an agent studio by default. Choose n8n when self-host or EUR Cloud workflow automation is the job — not Zapier by default, and not ChatGPT or MindStudio as the primary product. Overall: Zapier 8.1 vs n8n 8. Not hands-on lab tested; confirm live pricing and usage caps. Compare published pricing, LLM depth, writing, voice, agents, governance, integrations, and usage models.
Zapier
Automation + AI — Free 100 tasks; Pro from $19.99/mo annual (750 tasks); Team from 2,000 tasks; Agents add-on separate.
Best for
- • Ops teams that need the widest SaaS connector catalogue with AI steps
- • Buyers who want a Free 100-task sandbox then Pro at $19.99 annual
- • Teams that will treat Agents as an add-on, not as the reason to skip n8n
Starting from $19.99/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
Both are workflow automation platforms — Zapier leans no-code SaaS tasks; n8n leans self-host / EUR Cloud executions. Choose Zapier when no-code app automation with AI steps is the job — not ChatGPT as an LLM, and not MindStudio as an agent studio by default. Choose n8n when self-host or EUR Cloud workflow automation is the job — not Zapier by default, and not ChatGPT or MindStudio as the primary product. Overall: Zapier 8.1 vs n8n 8. Not hands-on lab tested; confirm live pricing and usage caps.
Zapier is better for
- ✓ Integrations
n8n is better for
- ✓ Agent / builder depth
- ✓ Governance & privacy
- ✓ Usage / credits model
Tie
- • Free plan
- • LLM assistant depth
- • Writing assistance
Choose Zapier if: Ops teams that need the widest SaaS connector catalogue with AI steps
Choose n8n if: Teams that want Community self-host or EUR Cloud execution volume
n8n
Workflow automation — Community self-host free; Cloud Starter €20/mo annual (2.5k executions + AI credits); Pro €50; Business €667; Enterprise quote.
Best for
- • Teams that want Community self-host or EUR Cloud execution volume
- • Builders comfortable with a node graph instead of Zapier’s editor
- • Buyers who need automation overlay, not ChatGPT as the home screen
Starting from $20.00/user/mo
Free plan available
Zapier vs n8n at a glance
Criterion-level leaders from verified research.
Scorecard preview
Criterion leaders based on verified research — open the Scorecard tab for evidence detail.
- Starting pricingDepends
Zapier
n8n
- Free planTie
Zapier
n8n
- User / licence minimumDepends
Zapier
n8n
- LLM assistant depthTie
Zapier
n8n
- Writing assistanceTie
Zapier
n8n
Which Ai is better for you?
Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.
- → Zapier
Ops teams that need the widest SaaS connector catalogue with AI steps
Pick Zapier for Ops teams that need the widest SaaS connector catalogue with AI steps.
- → Zapier
Buyers who want a Free 100-task sandbox then Pro at $19.99 annual
Pick Zapier for Buyers who want a Free 100-task sandbox then Pro at $19.99 annual.
- → Zapier
Teams that will treat Agents as an add-on, not as the reason to skip n8n
Pick Zapier for Teams that will treat Agents as an add-on, not as the reason to skip n8n.
- → n8n
Teams that want Community self-host or EUR Cloud execution volume
Pick n8n for Teams that want Community self-host or EUR Cloud execution volume.
- → n8n
Builders comfortable with a node graph instead of Zapier’s editor
Pick n8n for Builders comfortable with a node graph instead of Zapier’s editor.
- → n8n
Buyers who need automation overlay, not ChatGPT as the home screen
Pick n8n for Buyers who need automation overlay, not ChatGPT as the home screen.
The biggest differences
Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.
Agent / builder depth
n8n winsZapier
Trails n8n on this criterion
n8n
n8n leads on agent / builder depth (8/10 vs 9/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.
Governance & privacy
n8n winsZapier
Trails n8n on this criterion
n8n
n8n leads on governance & privacy (7/10 vs 8/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.
Integrations
Zapier winsZapier
Zapier leads on integrations (10/10 vs 8/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.
n8n
Trails Zapier on this criterion
Usage / credits model
n8n winsZapier
Trails n8n on this criterion
n8n
n8n leads on usage / credits model (7/10 vs 9/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.
Which should you choose?
Choose Zapier if
- Ops teams that need the widest SaaS connector catalogue with AI steps
- Buyers who want a Free 100-task sandbox then Pro at $19.99 annual
- Teams that will treat Agents as an add-on, not as the reason to skip n8n
Choose n8n if
- Teams that want Community self-host or EUR Cloud execution volume
- Builders comfortable with a node graph instead of Zapier’s editor
- Buyers who need automation overlay, not ChatGPT as the home screen
Related comparisons
Alternatives to consider
How we compare
A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology
1
Collect
Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.
2
Normalize
Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.
3
Compare
Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.
4
Explain
Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.
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