⚙️ Automation Comparison
n8n vs Zapier
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
Last updated: 2026-02-05
n8n
Self-host free, cloud from $20/mo
Strengths
- + Self-hostable
- + More powerful than Zapier/Make
- + 70k+ GitHub stars
Weaknesses
- − Steeper learning curve
- − Self-hosting needs technical skill
Zapier
Free tier, paid from $19.99/mo
Strengths
- + 5000+ app integrations
- + No-code automation
- + Reliable and battle-tested
Weaknesses
- − Gets expensive at scale
- − Complex zaps can be fiddly
The verdict
Which one is right for you?
In depth
About each tool
n8n
Open source workflow automation
n8n is automation for people who want control. Founded by Jan Oberhauser in 2019, it’s “fair-code” — source is open, you can self-host free, but can’t commercialize it. 70k GitHub stars. Quadrupled revenue in 8 months after pivoting to AI automation. Europe’s 25th fastest-growing startup in 2024.
Zapier
Connect apps and automate workflows without code
Zapier connects your apps so they talk to each other automatically. If this, then that — but for everything. Founded by Wade Foster and Bryan Helmig, essentially bootstrapped from $0 to $5B valuation (only raised $1.2M seed in 2012). Profitable since 2014. Remote-first since day one.
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