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
Evidence & transparency
Sources and research process behind this comparison.
Sources
6
Criteria
10
Screenshots
2
Sources consulted
| Title | Product | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Zapier — Official Site | Zapier | official-product-page |
| Zapier Pricing | Zapier | official-pricing-page |
| Zapier pricing | Zapier | official-product-page |
| n8n — Official Site | n8n | official-product-page |
| n8n Pricing | n8n | official-pricing-page |
| n8n pricing | n8n | official-product-page |
Methodology steps
- 1Collect first-party product and pricing evidence
- 2Map both products to the same category criteria
- 3Record criterion outcomes with confidence and sources
- 4Publish only when editorial gates allow indexing
Methodology version 1.0.0.
Affiliate relationships never change comparison outcomes. We evaluate both products on the same criteria and allow ties when evidence does not support a universal winner.
Read full methodology →Some visit links may be affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Comparison outcomes are never based on commission.