TL;DR: Zapier is the easiest way to automate work between 8,000+ apps, and you pay per task for that convenience. n8n is the cheaper, more powerful option for technical users: it charges per workflow run instead of per step, and the self-hosted Community Edition is free with unlimited executions. Non-technical teams should start with Zapier; anyone comfortable running a server, or whose Zapier bill keeps climbing, should look hard at n8n.
Bottom line: Zapier sells simplicity. n8n sells control and a much lower bill at volume. The billing unit — task vs execution — decides this comparison more than any feature list.
Zapier vs n8n at a glance
| Feature | Zapier | n8n | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billing unit | Per task (each successful action step) | Per execution (one full workflow run, any number of steps) | n8n at volume |
| Free option | 100 tasks/month, simple 2-step Zaps | Self-hosted Community Edition: free, unlimited executions | n8n |
| Entry paid plan | Professional $19.99/mo billed annually, 750 tasks | Cloud Starter €20/mo billed annually, 2,500 executions | n8n, more work per dollar |
| Mid plan | Team $69/mo billed annually, 2,000 tasks | Cloud Pro €50/mo billed annually, 10,000 executions | n8n |
| Integrations | 8,000+ apps | 400+ built-in nodes, plus any API via HTTP | Zapier |
| Self-hosting | No — cloud only | Yes — your server, your data | n8n |
| Ease of use | Linear builder, built for non-technical users | Node-based canvas, steeper learning curve, code nodes welcome | Zapier |
| AI features | Copilot-assisted building, AI agents add-ons | Native AI agent and LangChain nodes in every plan | n8n for AI builders |
Why does the billing unit matter so much?
Because the same workflow costs wildly different amounts. A 10-step Zap that runs 1,000 times a month bills roughly 10,000 tasks on Zapier. On n8n it bills 1,000 executions — one per run, however many steps are inside. That is why long, busy workflows are where Zapier bills surprise people, and why n8n’s pricing looks almost flat by comparison. Triggers and filters are free on Zapier, but every completed action step counts.
What does each tool do best?
Zapier is the default for a reason: the biggest app library in the category, a builder a non-technical teammate can learn in an afternoon, and extras like Tables, Forms and an AI Copilot that helps draft automations. If the app you need exists anywhere, it probably connects to Zapier first.
n8n is a workflow engine with real depth: branching, loops, sub-workflows, JavaScript and Python code nodes, and native AI nodes for building agent-style automations. Its fair-code Community Edition can be self-hosted for the cost of a small server, which also keeps your data on your own machine — a genuine selling point for privacy-sensitive work.
What are the catches?
Zapier’s catch is the meter: costs climb with every step and every run, and there is no self-hosted escape hatch. n8n’s catches are effort and responsibility — the node canvas takes longer to learn, and if you self-host, updates, backups and uptime are your problem. Its built-in integration list is also far smaller; anything outside the 400+ nodes means working with APIs directly, which is fine for developers and a wall for everyone else.
Which should you pick?
Pick Zapier if your team is non-technical, your workflows are short, and breadth of ready-made app connections matters more than the monthly bill. Pick n8n if your workflows are long or high-volume, you want AI-agent automations without add-on pricing, or you want the option to self-host free and keep data in-house. A common path: start on Zapier, and when the task bill starts to sting, rebuild the two or three heaviest workflows in n8n.
FAQ
Is n8n really free?
The self-hosted Community Edition is free with unlimited executions — you pay only for your own server. n8n Cloud starts at €20/month billed annually for 2,500 executions.
How much does Zapier cost to start?
The free plan includes 100 tasks a month. Professional starts at $19.99/month billed annually ($29.99 monthly) for 750 tasks; Team is $69/month billed annually.
What is the difference between a task and an execution?
A Zapier task is one successful action step, so a multi-step Zap uses several tasks per run. An n8n execution is one complete workflow run, regardless of how many steps it contains.
Can I migrate from Zapier to n8n?
Yes, but it is a rebuild, not an import. Most teams move their highest-volume workflows first, where the savings are largest.
Research-based comparison using published pricing, October 2026. n8n Cloud prices are listed in euros. Check each pricing page before you buy.