Key takeaways
- Choose Zapier if nobody on your team is technical. Choose n8n if someone can host it and you want control.
- Pick Zapier if: You want the easiest cloud setup.
- Pick n8n if: You want a free self-hosted edition.
Zapier vs n8n side by side
| Detail | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Zapier | n8n |
| Best for | Beginners who want a visual builder and many app connections, Owners who want a free plan to start | Teams with someone technical who can self-host, Businesses that want to keep data on their own server |
| Not a fit for | Teams that need multi-step workflows on the free plan, which allows two-step Zaps only, High-volume users who want a flat low cost | Non-technical owners who want zero setup, Small teams that need the Business plan, which is self-hosted only for now |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Paid plans from | Professional: from $19.99 per month, billed yearly | Starter: €20 per month, billed yearly |
Prices as listed on each vendor’s pricing page. See the Zapier and n8n pages for every plan and its source.
When to pick which
Pick Zapier if
- You want the easiest cloud setup.
- You do not have anyone to run a server.
Pick n8n if
- You want a free self-hosted edition.
- You want to keep workflows on your own server.
Our take
Choose Zapier if nobody on your team is technical. Choose n8n if someone can host it and you want control.
More automation and workflows comparisons
Zapier vs n8n: common questions
Should I use Zapier or n8n for automation?
Zapier is the easier start for non-technical owners. n8n suits teams that can self-host and want to avoid per-task pricing.
Sources
Read on November 6, 2026. Vendors change prices and menus, so check the live page before you buy.
About the author
Andy Kang, AI Partner Team. Andy Kang writes the AI directory for AI Partner Team, which sets up and builds AI tools for small businesses alongside managed IT. Each page is written from the vendor’s own pricing, help and trust pages, and shows the day those pages were checked.
- Facts come from the vendor’s own website and help docs, linked on every page.
- Each page shows the date we last read those sources.
- We do not score or rank tools. We say who each one suits and who it does not.
- If a vendor does not publish a price, we say so instead of guessing.