# n8n vs Zapier Page: https://betterapps.site/compare/n8n-vs-zapier Site: Better Apps, run by Kerry Morrison of BetterStory Should you automate with n8n or Zapier? Facts only. Kerry has not reviewed both tools yet. ## Short answer n8n: Free to self-host, cloud from 20 euros per month billed annually. Zapier: Free, paid plans start from $19.99 per month (billing period not confirmed). | Detail | n8n | Zapier | | --- | --- | --- | | Headline price | Free to self-host, cloud from 20 euros per month billed annually | Free, paid plans start from $19.99 per month (billing period not confirmed) | | Cost of the lowest paid plan a month for a team of 5 | No fixed list price to multiply | No fixed list price to multiply | | Free plan | Not confirmed | Yes | | Trial | Cloud free trial with no credit card required, limited to 1,000 executions. Business trial is 14 days and needs a credit card. | 14-day free trial of Professional, no credit card required | | Best for | Technical teams that want to self-host automations. Teams that want code access inside a visual workflow builder | Marketers who want to link many apps without writing code. Teams that want a free plan to test simple automations | | Skip it if | Teams that want a non-technical, no-code setup, since n8n targets technical teams. Agencies that want to host n8n as a service for clients to build workflows, which the license prohibits | Teams that run high task volumes on a tight budget because pricing rises with tasks. Teams that want to self-host the automation tool | | Price checked | November 5, 2026 | November 5, 2026 | ## What each tool is ### n8n n8n is a workflow automation platform that combines AI capabilities with business process automation. Users build agents and workflows in a visual editor and can add code when needed. The site claims more than 500 native integrations and access to any API through HTTP. Teams can use n8n Cloud, which n8n hosts. They can also self-host it with Docker, with the source code on GitHub. The product targets technical teams. Cloud plans are priced in euros and billed annually. The Community Edition is free to self-host under n8n's license terms, with limits on offering it as a service. ### Zapier Zapier is an automation and AI orchestration platform. Users build workflows called Zaps that run across their apps when a trigger fires. The product connects to more than 9,000 apps. It also links AI tools such as Claude and ChatGPT to business apps through Zapier MCP. Zapier offers AI agents, chatbots, tables, and forms. It serves teams in marketing, sales, RevOps, IT, HR, and support, from startups to large companies. Pricing is based on tasks per month. A free plan allows 100 tasks per month. Paid plans start from $19.99 per month, and Enterprise pricing needs a sales contact. ## Jobs each tool covers ### n8n - Build workflows with a visual editor and code - Build AI agents - Connect apps and any API - Self-host automations to keep data in-house ### Zapier - Connect apps without code - Automate repeat marketing and sales tasks - Connect AI tools to business apps - Build AI agents and chatbots Integrations both list: Slack, Notion. Listed only for n8n: Jira, GitHub. Listed only for Zapier: HubSpot, Salesforce, Google Sheets, Shopify, Claude, ChatGPT. ## Every plan on file Prices checked November 5, 2026. Vendors count different things, such as people, channels, workflow runs or credits, so a lower headline price does not always mean a lower bill. ### n8n plans | Plan | List price | What to know | | --- | --- | --- | | Community self-hosted | Free | Free under the Sustainable Use License if only people in your organization create or change workflows. You pay for your own hosting. | | Starter | 20 euros per month, billed annually | Cloud plan with 2.5K workflow executions. The page prices it in euros and shows no USD price. | | Pro | 50 euros per month, billed annually | Cloud plan with 10K workflow executions. The page prices it in euros and shows no USD price. | | Business | 667 euros per month, billed annually | Self-hosted only, 40K workflow executions. The page prices it in euros and shows no USD price. A dollar option exists only for annual Business contracts paid by wire transfer. | ### Zapier plans | Plan | List price | What to know | | --- | --- | --- | | Free | Free forever, 100 tasks per month | Automation plan. | | Professional | Starting from $19.99 per month | The page says starting from. The price depends on the task tier chosen, from 100 to 2M tasks per month. The page has a Pay monthly and Pay yearly toggle (Save 33 percent) and does not say which one the starting price uses. Free and Professional plans are for one user. | | Team | Starting from $69 per month | The page says starting from. The page does not say whether the starting price is monthly or yearly billing. Includes up to 25 users, shared workspace, and SAML SSO. | | Enterprise | Contact for pricing | Annual task limits. | ## Who each one fits, from the vendor facts These points follow from what each vendor says it offers and charges. They are not a review. ### Pick n8n if - Technical teams that want to self-host automations - Teams that want code access inside a visual workflow builder ### Skip n8n if - Teams that want a non-technical, no-code setup, since n8n targets technical teams - Agencies that want to host n8n as a service for clients to build workflows, which the license prohibits ### Pick Zapier if - Marketers who want to link many apps without writing code - Teams that want a free plan to test simple automations ### Skip Zapier if - Teams that run high task volumes on a tight budget because pricing rises with tasks - Teams that want to self-host the automation tool ## Five checks before you pay for either 1. Count what each tool bills on, then price both tools on your own numbers. 2. Check the billing basis. Annual billing is often cheaper than monthly. 3. Run the free plan or trial first when one exists. n8n: Cloud free trial with no credit card required, limited to 1,000 executions. Business trial is 14 days and needs a credit card. Zapier: 14-day free trial of Professional, no credit card required. 4. Read the limits on the plan you plan to buy. 5. Decide how you would leave. Look for data export and cancellation terms first. Full pages: https://betterapps.site/tools/n8n and https://betterapps.site/tools/zapier