n8n vs Zapier: Which Workflow Automation Tool Is Right for You? | Code Boost
Description: If you're trying to choose between n8n and Zapier , you're not alone. Both are powerful workflow automation tools — but they serve very different types of users. In this comparison, we'll break down e

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# n8n vs Zapier: Which Workflow Automation Tool Is Right for You?

By Matt · Jun 5, 2025

If you're trying to choose between n8n and Zapier, you're not alone. Both are powerful workflow automation tools — but they serve very different types of users. In this comparison, we'll break down everything from pricing to features to help you make the best decision.

## TL;DR: Quick Comparison Table

Feature | n8n | Zapier
--- | --- | ---
Hosting | Self-hosted or Cloud | Cloud only
Pricing | Free (self-hosted), $20+/mo (Cloud) | Free plan available, $20–$100+/mo
Workflow Runs | Unlimited (self-hosted) | Limited by plan (750–2M tasks/mo)
Custom Code Support | Full JavaScript in any node | Limited, only on premium tiers
App Integrations | 400+ native + any API via HTTP node | 7,000+ prebuilt integrations
Interface Style | Node-based visual editor | Step-by-step linear interface
Data Ownership | You own data (self-hosted) | Stored on Zapier's cloud
Technical Skill Required | Medium to advanced | Beginner-friendly
AI Agent Support | Built-in AI agent nodes | AI features via Zapier Central

# 🚀 Favorite Workflow Tool: Try n8n Now

## What Is Zapier?

Zapier is one of the most popular no-code tools for connecting apps. It's cloud-based, intuitive, and offers thousands of ready-made "Zaps" to automate tasks between tools like Gmail, Google Sheets, Slack, Trello, Salesforce, and more. Founded in 2011, Zapier has become the go-to for non-technical users who need automation without writing code.

### Zapier Pros

- Massive app library (7,000+ integrations)
- No coding required to build most automations
- Large template library for quick starts
- Excellent for individuals and small teams
- Polished UI with great onboarding

### Zapier Cons

- Gets expensive fast — cost scales with task volume
- Limited flexibility for custom business logic
- Custom code (Zapier Code) only on premium plans
- No self-hosting; all data lives on Zapier's servers
- Multi-step Zaps locked behind paid tiers

## What Is n8n?

n8n (short for "nodemation") is an open-source workflow automation platform built for developers and technical teams. It's self-hostable, supports unlimited workflows, and gives you full control over logic, integrations, and data privacy. You can run it on your own server for free, or use n8n Cloud for a managed experience.

### n8n Pros

- Free to self-host with unlimited executions
- Full JavaScript support inside any node
- Connect any app with an API via HTTP Request node
- Built-in AI agent nodes for LLM-powered workflows
- Total data privacy on self-hosted deployments
- Active open-source community and plugin ecosystem

### n8n Cons

- Requires a server and some technical setup to self-host
- Smaller native app catalog than Zapier
- Steeper learning curve for non-developers

# 🚀 Try n8n for Free: Get n8n Now

## Pricing Deep Dive: n8n vs Zapier (2026)

### Zapier Pricing

Zapier's pricing is based on tasks — every action a Zap performs counts as one task.

Plan | Price | Tasks/Month | Key Limits
--- | --- | --- | ---
Free | $0 | 100 | Single-step Zaps only, 5 Zaps max
Starter | $19.99/mo | 750 | Multi-step Zaps, 20 Zaps
Professional | $49/mo | 2,000 | Unlimited Zaps, filters, formatter
Team | $69/mo | 2,000 | Shared workspaces, user management
Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Advanced security, SSO, dedicated support

The task limit is the real sting. Run a workflow that sends an email, updates a spreadsheet, and posts to Slack — that's 3 tasks per trigger. Scale that to 500 triggers per day and you're at 45,000 tasks/month, pushing you into $100+/month territory.

### n8n Pricing

Option | Price | Executions | Notes
--- | --- | --- | ---
Self-hosted (Community) | Free | Unlimited | Requires your own server
Cloud Starter | $20/mo | 2,500/mo | Managed, no server needed
Cloud Pro | $50/mo | 10,000/mo | Priority support, more concurrent workflows
Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited | SSO, audit logs, dedicated support

The self-hosted option is genuinely free with no execution caps. For teams running thousands of automations daily, this is the most cost-effective path in the market.

## Integration Ecosystem: Depth vs Breadth

Zapier wins on breadth — 7,000+ prebuilt connectors means virtually any SaaS tool you use is available out of the box. But n8n wins on depth and flexibility. The HTTP Request node lets you connect to any API without waiting for an official integration. And for popular tools, n8n's native nodes are often more capable than Zapier's equivalents.

For niche tools or internal APIs, n8n is the clear winner. For mainstream SaaS stacks (HubSpot, Salesforce, Slack, Gmail), both cover you.

## Developer Features: Where n8n Pulls Ahead

If you write code, n8n's feature set is significantly more powerful:

- Code node: Write full JavaScript (or Python) inside any workflow step
- Sub-workflows: Call other workflows as functions for modular design
- Environment variables: Manage secrets and config centrally
- Version control: Export workflows as JSON and store them in Git
- Custom nodes: Build and publish your own integrations as npm packages
- CLI: Manage n8n programmatically from your terminal

Zapier's code step exists but is buried behind premium plans and limited to JavaScript snippets without full npm access.

## AI Automation Capabilities

Both platforms have added AI features, but n8n's approach is more developer-focused. n8n includes native AI Agent nodes that let you build LLM-powered workflows using OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, and others — with tool calling, memory, and structured outputs. You can chain agents together or use them as sub-workflows.

Zapier has Zapier Central, a conversational AI layer that can trigger Zaps and surface information. It's more accessible but less programmable than n8n's agent framework.

For building serious AI automation pipelines (multi-step agents, RAG workflows, LLM routing), n8n is the stronger choice.

## Security and Data Privacy

This is where self-hosted n8n has a decisive advantage. Your data never leaves your infrastructure. For healthcare, finance, legal, or any compliance-sensitive use case, this matters enormously.

Zapier is SOC 2 Type II certified and follows strong security practices, but your workflow data, API credentials, and automation history live on their servers. If data residency is a requirement, Zapier may not qualify.

## Use Case Scenarios: Which Tool Fits You Best?

Scenario | Recommended
--- | ---
Just starting with automation | Zapier
Running 10,000+ automated tasks/month | n8n (cost savings are significant)
Strict data privacy or compliance requirements | n8n (self-hosted)
Want plug-and-play connections to 7,000+ apps | Zapier
Building AI agent workflows | n8n
Non-technical team with no developer support | Zapier
Need custom logic or code in automations | n8n
Want version control and Git integration | n8n
Building internal tools or ops automation | n8n

## When You'll Outgrow Zapier

Most people start on Zapier and eventually hit one of these walls:

- Cost: The task-based model becomes expensive once you automate high-volume processes
- Flexibility: Complex conditional logic requires workarounds that become unmaintainable
- Data privacy: Your company's security review flags third-party data storage
- Custom logic: You need to run JavaScript that npm packages can't live without

These are the natural migration triggers. n8n can import many workflow patterns, though you'll rebuild rather than migrate directly.

## Final Verdict

Zapier is the right starting point if you want to get automation working today without a technical setup. But as your automations grow in volume, complexity, or sensitivity, the limitations become real costs.

If you're a developer, technical entrepreneur, or building automation infrastructure for a business, n8n is the smarter long-term investment — especially self-hosted, where the economics are unbeatable.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is n8n really free?

Yes — the self-hosted Community Edition is completely free with no execution limits. The n8n Cloud plans start at $20/month if you want a managed version without running your own server.

### Can Zapier handle the same volume as n8n?

Technically yes, but the cost scales sharply. At high task volumes, self-hosted n8n is essentially free while Zapier can cost hundreds per month for the same workload.

### Is n8n harder to use than Zapier?

For non-technical users, yes. n8n's node-based editor is more flexible but less guided than Zapier's step-by-step builder. If you're comfortable with APIs and JSON, the learning curve is manageable within a few hours.

### Can I migrate from Zapier to n8n?

There's no automatic migration tool, but most Zaps can be recreated in n8n. The n8n community forums have guides for common migration patterns. Budget a few hours per complex workflow.

### Which is better for AI workflows?

n8n has a more developer-focused AI toolkit with native LLM nodes, AI Agent support, and the ability to chain AI calls with full code control. Zapier Central is easier to set up but less programmable.

### Does n8n work without a server?

Yes — n8n Cloud is a fully managed hosting option starting at $20/month. You get all the n8n features without managing infrastructure. Alternatively, you can deploy to a DigitalOcean Droplet in about 20 minutes using our self-hosting guide.

## 🚀 Try n8n for Free (No Server Required)

> ### ✨ Click Here to Sign Up for n8n Cloud →

> Try it for free and build unlimited workflows with powerful automation logic.

✅ Visual automation editor
✅ Free-tier available with hosted infrastructure
✅ Upgrade anytime or self-host for unlimited use

Looking for the self-hosting path? Read our full guide to installing n8n on your own server.