n8n
Zapier
| Feature | n8n | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $24/mo | Free / from $19.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best For | developers, technical-teams, agencies, cost-conscious-teams, ai-builders | marketers, operations, small-businesses, no-code-builders |
| Founded | 2019 | 2011 |
| Workflows | ✓ | ✗ |
| Self Hosting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Code Nodes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Agents | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api | ✓ | ✗ |
| Docker | ✓ | ✗ |
| Automations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Integrations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tables | ✗ | ✓ |
| Interfaces | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ai Actions | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ n8n Pros
- Free self-hosting (forever)
- Full JavaScript/Python in every node
- AI agent workflow builder
- No per-task pricing when self-hosted
✗ n8n Cons
- Requires technical setup for self-hosting
- 400+ integrations vs Zapier's 7,000+
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier or Make
✓ Zapier Pros
- Huge app library
- Easy to use
- Multi-step zaps
- AI actions
✗ Zapier Cons
- Gets expensive fast
- Task limits
- Complex zaps can be fragile
The Verdict
n8n is best for developers and technical-teams who need free self-hosting (forever). Zapier is ideal for marketers and operations looking for huge app library. Both tools offer free plans, so try each to see which fits your workflow.