n8n vs Zapier
n8n is the better choice for builders who want AI agents, self-hosting and per-execution pricing; Zapier is better for non-developers who need the largest app catalog.
Last checked · facts from vendor pages · editorial verdict · how we rank
Pick it if: You want AI agent workflows with unlimited steps per execution, or to self-host.
Pick it if: You want the most app integrations and the easiest no-code setup, or Zapier MCP for agents.
Side by side
| n8n | Zapier | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Workflow automation with AI agents; self-hostable. | No-code automation across thousands of apps, plus Zapier MCP. |
| Vendor | n8n | Zapier |
| Pricing (as checked) | Cloud Starter €20/mo (2.5K executions), Pro €50/mo (10K), Business €667/mo (40K; self-hosted), all billed annually. Self-hosted Community Edition available. | Free $0 (100 tasks/mo). Professional from $19.99/mo. Team from $69/mo. Enterprise custom. |
| Starts at | €20/mo (annual) | $19.99/mo |
| Free tier | No free plan listed | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Pricing model | Per workflow execution (unlimited steps) | Per task |
| Self-hosting | Yes (Community Edition and self-hosted plans) | No |
| Our rankings | #1 Agents & automation | #6 Agents & automation, #5 MCP servers |
n8n
- +Per-execution pricing (unlimited steps)
- +Self-hostable
- +Strong AI agent nodes
- −Euro pricing; annual billing for listed rates
- −Complex flows get messy
Zapier
- +Largest app catalog
- +Zapier MCP for agents
- +Easy for non-devs
- −Task-based pricing scales fast
- −Less flexible than code
FAQ
n8n or Zapier: which is better?
n8n is the better choice for builders who want AI agents, self-hosting and per-execution pricing; Zapier is better for non-developers who need the largest app catalog.
When should I pick n8n?
Pick n8n if: You want AI agent workflows with unlimited steps per execution, or to self-host.
When should I pick Zapier?
Pick Zapier if: You want the most app integrations and the easiest no-code setup, or Zapier MCP for agents.
How much do n8n and Zapier cost?
n8n: Cloud Starter €20/mo (2.5K executions), Pro €50/mo (10K), Business €667/mo (40K; self-hosted), all billed annually. Self-hosted Community Edition available. Zapier: Free $0 (100 tasks/mo). Professional from $19.99/mo. Team from $69/mo. Enterprise custom. (Checked 2026-10-22.)