n8n vs Zapier
A side-by-side look at 2 AI & ML tools for 2026 — the verdict, pricing, ratings, features, and what readers think.
n8n.io
Best for Technical teams automating workflows and AI agents who want self-hosting and code access
Workflow automation and AI agents you can self-host, inspect and run step by step.
Visit n8n
zapier.com
Best for Non-developer teams that want to connect many apps and automate workflows without writing code
Connect your apps and automate workflows.
Visit ZapierPricing compared
n8n
€20/mo (billed annually)
Zapier
$19.99/mo
Head to head
| n8n | Zapier | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | €20/mo (billed annually) | $19.99/mo |
| Free tier | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Free trial on cloud plans, no credit card required | 14-day Professional trial, no credit card required |
| Platforms | Web · Self-hosted · API · CLI | Web · API |
| Founded | — | 2011 |
| HQ | — | San Francisco, USA |
Pros & cons
n8n
Pros
- Every plan includes unlimited users and workflows; pricing is by monthly executions.
- Self-hosting is supported, so data can stay in your own environment.
- Built-in AI Agent node, MCP server and client support, and human approval for tool calls.
- Code steps in JavaScript or Python sit next to the visual editor.
- 500+ native integrations plus any API over HTTP.
Cons
- Cloud Starter allows 5 concurrent executions and a 5-minute maximum execution time.
- SSO and LDAP are not on Starter or Pro; they start at Business (self-hosted only) and Enterprise.
- The Business plan is listed at €667/mo billed annually, a large step up from Pro at €50/mo.
- More technical than no-code tools, so non-technical users may find it harder to start.
Zapier
Pros
- Connects 9,000+ apps, so most tools in a business stack are covered.
- Free plan includes unlimited Zaps, Tables and Forms with 100 tasks per month.
- Failed actions, triggers, filters and formatter steps do not count as tasks.
- Team plan adds SAML SSO, shared Zaps and shared app connections for up to 25 users.
- Zapier MCP and AI steps let AI assistants and agents act inside connected apps.
Cons
- Costs scale with task volume, so busy workflows can get expensive.
- Free plan limits Zaps to two steps and 100 tasks a month.
- Hitting the limit pauses Zaps unless pay-per-task billing is enabled, at a higher per-task rate.
- Team and Enterprise trials require contacting sales.
- Prices shown are starting-from figures for the lowest task tier.