Zapier vs n8n
Compare Zapier and n8n on pricing, free tier, open source, API, self-host, verdict and momentum.
Both are automation tools. Zapier is freemium (free 100 tasks/mo; Professional from $19.99/mo billed yearly (750 tasks) or $29.99/mo monthly) with an API, a free tier; n8n is freemium (self-host free; cloud Starter €24/mo (€20/mo billed yearly)) with an API, self-hostable and a free tier. The catalog stamp is situational for Zapier and ship for n8n, last verified 2026-08-19 and 2026-09-01 respectively.
Zapier
The automation incumbent — 7000+ app integrations, now with AI steps.
n8n
Source-available workflow automation with strong AI agent nodes.
| field | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| pricing | freemium · free 100 tasks/mo; Professional from $19.99/mo billed yearly (750 tasks) or $29.99/mo monthly | freemium · self-host free; cloud Starter €24/mo (€20/mo billed yearly) |
| free tier | yes | yes |
| open source | no | no |
| api | yes | yes |
| self-host | no | yes |
| verdict | situational | ship |
| momentum | steady | blueshift |
| last verified | 2026-08-19 | 2026-09-01 |
| key limitation | Per-task pricing explodes once AI loops enter workflows. | Fair-code license, not true open source for resale. |
The call
Pick Zapier for plain SaaS-to-SaaS automations where reliability beats AI-n…
Pick n8n — we ship it; Zapier is situational for us.