SoftwareGlimpse

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.

Independently recommendedLast updated Aug 18, 20266 evidence sources2 screenshotsHow we compare
Compare another
Zapier logo

Zapier

8.1/10

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

Visit Zapier
Read review

VS

Our verdict

Our verdict

No universal winner

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

See detailed comparison ↓
n8n logo

n8n

8/10

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

Visit n8n
Read review

Comparison scorecard

Criterion-by-criterion results for Zapier and n8n. Numeric bars appear only when both products have approved scores.

  • Starting pricing

    Published floor price and what that floor actually includes.

    Depends

    Published starting floors: Zapier ~$19.99 vs n8n ~$20 — confirm live packaging (task/execution units and currency differ).

    ZapierDepends
    n8nDepends

  • Free plan

    Whether a usable free plan is published, and what it gates.

    Tie

    Zapier and n8n both research a free plan. Confirm what each path unlocks on the live vendor pricing page.

    ZapierTie
    n8nTie

  • User / licence minimum

    Seat floors, per-employee minimums, and small-team pricing traps.

    Depends

    Confirm seat floors, credit packs, task/execution units, and whether AI features sit in higher tiers before purchase.

    ZapierDepends
    n8nDepends

  • LLM assistant depth

    Chat, reasoning, and general-purpose assistant depth for the primary job.

    Tie

    Zapier and n8n are close on LLM assistant depth (9/10 vs 9/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.

    ZapierTie
    n8nTie

  • Writing assistance

    Long-form writing, editing, and document analysis quality.

    Tie

    Zapier and n8n are close on writing assistance (7/10 vs 7/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.

    ZapierTie
    n8nTie

  • Voice / TTS depth

    Speech, voice mode, and text-to-speech capability when relevant.

    Tie

    Zapier and n8n are close on voice / TTS depth (7/10 vs 7/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.

    ZapierTie
    n8nTie

  • Agent / builder depth

    Custom projects, agents, GPTs, and workflow builders beyond bare chat.

    n8n

    n8n leads on agent / builder depth (8/10 vs 9/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.

    ZapierWeaker
    n8nStronger

  • Governance & privacy

    Admin controls, data retention, and enterprise privacy packaging.

    n8n

    n8n leads on governance & privacy (7/10 vs 8/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.

    ZapierWeaker
    n8nStronger

  • Integrations

    Important third-party integrations.

    Zapier

    Zapier leads on integrations (10/10 vs 8/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.

    Zapier10/10
    n8n8/10

  • Usage / credits model

    How free caps, seats, credits, and overages affect real cost.

    n8n

    n8n leads on usage / credits model (7/10 vs 9/10). Scores reflect AI job-cluster fit from vendor documentation.

    ZapierWeaker
    n8nStronger

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.

Affiliate disclosure: some links may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rankings and scores are never based on commission. Full disclosure

Methodology disclosure: scores and recommendations follow SoftwareGlimpse evaluation criteria (version 1.0.0). Affiliate relationships do not determine rankings.

How we recommend: product claims are tied to recorded research where available.

AI-assisted disclosure: drafts may be AI-assisted from approved facts and assessments. Humans approve publishable editorial judgments. AI does not invent live prices or claim hands-on testing.