Reviewed 2026-10-14
Zapier vs n8n
The widest integration library against the one you can run yourself. The deciding question is who operates it.
Our take
n8n
Zapier wins when nobody on the team wants to run infrastructure: it has the broadest app coverage and nothing to maintain. n8n wins when volume is high and there is someone who can host it, because self-hosting removes the per-task cost and the data stays inside. Pick by who will look after it, not by which canvas looks nicer.
Side by side
Rows marked in colour show which option we think is ahead on that point.
| Criteria | Zapier | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Vendor-hosted only | Your own server, or the vendor's cloud |
| How you pay | A task meter that grows with usage | Free when self-hosted |
| Integration coverage | The largest library in the category | Broad, with community nodes filling gaps |
| Writing real code mid-workflow | Limited | JavaScript or Python nodes anywhere |
| Ongoing upkeep | None for you | Yours: updates, backups, uptime |
Sources
These are the vendor pages we used when writing this comparison. Prices and plan limits change; confirm them before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Answers restate what this comparison records and link to the vendor pages it cites.
What is the difference between Zapier and n8n?
The widest integration library against the one you can run yourself. The deciding question is who operates it.
How do Zapier and n8n compare on price?
Both are tiered, so the figure depends on your own volume. Our entries describe Zapier as: Free plan: 100 tasks/month · Professional from $19.99/month (USD). And n8n as: Free when self-hosted (source-available licence); cloud plans are paid. Compare the Zapier pricing page and the n8n pricing page before you commit.
Which should I choose, Zapier or n8n?
Zapier wins when nobody on the team wants to run infrastructure: it has the broadest app coverage and nothing to maintain. n8n wins when volume is high and there is someone who can host it, because self-hosting removes the per-task cost and the data stays inside. Pick by who will look after it, not by which canvas looks nicer.
Where did the figures in this comparison come from?
This comparison is based on the vendor pages we read: Zapier pricing and n8n pricing. Prices and plan limits change, so check them before you commit.
How do Zapier and n8n compare on "Where it runs"?
Zapier: Vendor-hosted only. n8n: Your own server, or the vendor's cloud.
How do Zapier and n8n compare on "How you pay"?
Zapier: A task meter that grows with usage. n8n: Free when self-hosted.