# n8n vs Zapier

> n8n: Build and self-host workflow automations and AI agents with visual nodes and custom code
> Zapier: Connect AI models and 9,000+ business apps into automated workflows and agents

- n8n profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/n8n
- Zapier profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/zapier
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/n8n-vs-zapier
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

n8n and Zapier are both Productivity tools. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Zapier is available on CLI.

### Choose n8n if

- You want a tool built for Teams that want self-hostable automation with code-level control and AI agent workflows.
- Free self-hosted Community Edition with almost the full feature set and no license key.
- Execution-based pricing counts a whole workflow run as one execution, however many steps it has.

### Choose Zapier if

- You want a tool built for connecting SaaS apps without code, adding AI steps to existing business workflows, giving AI assistants controlled access to business tools.
- Connects 9,000+ apps, one of the largest integration libraries in automation.
- Free plan with 100 tasks per month and a 14-day Professional trial with no credit card.

## Pricing

| | n8n | Zapier |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | n8n | Zapier |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visual Workflow Canvas | Yes | Not listed |
| Code in Any Step | Yes | Not listed |
| AI Agents and RAG | Yes | Not listed |
| MCP Support | Yes | Not listed |
| Human-in-the-Loop Approvals | Yes | Not listed |
| 500+ Integrations | Yes | Not listed |
| Faster Iteration | Yes | Not listed |
| Templates | Yes | Not listed |
| Enterprise Controls | Yes | Not listed |
| Flexible Deployment | Yes | Not listed |
| Zaps | Not listed | Yes |
| Zapier Agents | Not listed | Yes |
| Zapier MCP | Not listed | Yes |
| AI by Zapier and Copilot | Not listed | Yes |
| Tables, Forms and Chatbots | Not listed | Yes |
| Canvas | Not listed | Yes |
| Zapier SDK and API | Not listed | Yes |
| Governance Controls | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | n8n | Zapier |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | No | No |
| macOS | No | No |
| iOS | No | No |
| Android | No | No |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| CLI | No | Yes |

## n8n strengths

- Free self-hosted Community Edition with almost the full feature set and no license key.
- Execution-based pricing counts a whole workflow run as one execution, however many steps it has.
- JavaScript and Python can be used in any step, which suits technical users.
- More than 500 integrations and over 10,000 community templates.
- On-premises and air-gapped deployment plus SSO, LDAP and audit logging for enterprises.

## n8n limitations

- Fair-code license is not OSI-approved open source.
- Business tier starts at about €667 per month billed annually and is self-hosted only for now, with a Cloud waitlist.
- The Community Edition lacks projects, SSO, Git version control and log streaming.
- Cloud Starter is capped at 2.5K executions per month and 5 concurrent executions.

## Zapier strengths

- Connects 9,000+ apps, one of the largest integration libraries in automation.
- Free plan with 100 tasks per month and a 14-day Professional trial with no credit card.
- Zapier MCP is included on every plan and works with Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor.
- Enterprise governance options include SSO, SCIM, action restrictions and log streaming.
- Agents, Chatbots, Tables and Forms sit in the same account as Zaps.

## Zapier limitations

- Task-based pricing rises quickly: Team starts at $103.50/month and Professional at 2,000 tasks is $73.50/month on monthly billing.
- The free plan is limited to 100 tasks and two-step Zaps with 15-minute polling.
- Agents activities and Chatbots are billed as add-ons outside the plan's task pool.
- No official mobile app and no self-hosted option were found.

## FAQ

**Is n8n better than Zapier?**

It depends on your workflow. n8n is built for Teams that want self-hostable automation with code-level control and AI agent workflows. Zapier is built for connecting SaaS apps without code, adding AI steps to existing business workflows, giving AI assistants controlled access to business tools.

**What are the key feature differences between n8n and Zapier?**

n8n: Build and self-host workflow automations and AI agents with visual nodes and custom code. Zapier: Connect AI models and 9,000+ business apps into automated workflows and agents.

**Does n8n or Zapier have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. n8n is freemium and Zapier is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, n8n or Zapier?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.