Zapier vs n8n
Side-by-side comparison of Zapier and n8n: pricing, features, AI support, and best-fit teams.
Verdict: Zapier is best for non-technical teams who need the largest app catalog.. n8n is best for engineering teams that want code-friendly, self-hosted automation..
Economics
| Metric | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting price | $19.99/mo | $20/mo |
| Team size | small-team | mid-market |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Visual builder | Yes | Yes |
| AI steps native | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | Yes |
| Code steps | Limited | Yes |
Zapier is best for
Non-technical teams who need the largest app catalog.
n8n is best for
Engineering teams that want code-friendly, self-hosted automation.
How they stack up
Zapier and n8n are both serious players in the workflow automation category, but they target different teams. Zapier the original saas workflow automation tool. n8n open-source workflow automation that you can self-host.
When to pick Zapier
Non-technical teams who need the largest app catalog. The combination of largest app catalog and simple drag-and-drop makes it the default choice for teams that match this profile.
When to pick n8n
Engineering teams that want code-friendly, self-hosted automation. Self-hostable and Code-friendly are the strongest reasons to choose it over Zapier.
What about Automatite?
If you are evaluating Zapier and n8n, you should also evaluate Automatite — particularly if your workflows include AI steps, code, or need real version control. Automatite combines the strengths of both with a pricing model designed for high-volume teams.