Side-by-side comparison
n8n vs Zapier
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Which should you choose?
Both automate work between apps and now include AI steps. n8n is recorded for technical teams that want custom code and AI agents, with a self-hosted Community edition. Zapier is recorded for app automation with AI steps, agents, tables and forms, priced by tasks.
Choose n8n if…
- You are comfortable with technical set-up and want custom code and AI agent steps.
- You want the option to self-host the Community edition under n8n's licence.
Choose Zapier if…
- You want to connect apps with AI steps without managing servers.
- You want forms, tables and agents alongside your automations.
Check before you pay: n8n Cloud is paid with a trial, and infrastructure and model-provider charges are separate. Zapier's free and paid plans have task limits, and AI steps follow task-based pricing. Test failures and duplicate events before turning on any workflow that writes data.
Based on our directory records reviewed 24 October 2026, not on a hands-on test. Confirm current plans with each provider.
Tip: on a small screen, swipe the table sideways.
| What matters | 🔗 n8n | ⚡ Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Workflow automation platform combining application connections, custom code, and AI agent or retrieval steps. | Automation platform for connecting apps, AI steps, agents, data tables, forms, and programmatic workflows. |
| Best for | Technical teams automating app, code, and AI workflows | App automation and AI workflow steps |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Plans | Plan details not recorded yet | Plan details not recorded yet |
| Free-plan limits | A self-hosted Community edition is available under n8n's licence. Cloud plans are paid with a trial; infrastructure and model-provider charges are separate. | Free and paid plans have task limits. AI steps, code, and SDK usage follow the provider's task-based pricing; advanced workflows can require paid access. |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Key capabilities | Visual workflows App integrations Custom code AI agents MCP and AI nodes | App automation AI workflow steps Agents Tables and forms MCP and SDK |
| Strengths | Connected steps and custom logic fit workflows with explicit review gates. | App connections let you join a source record, a draft and a review destination. |
| Limitations | A self-hosted Community edition is available under n8n's licence. Cloud plans are paid with a trial; infrastructure and model-provider charges are separate. Valid structured output does not prove policy compliance; test duplicate events and failures before enabling writes. | Free and paid plans have task limits. AI steps, code, and SDK usage follow the provider's task-based pricing; advanced workflows can require paid access. Check the actual available action and account limits before copying a workflow design. |
| No signup required | Not verified | Not verified |
| No credit card required | Not verified | Not verified |
| Free trial | Not verified | Not verified |
| Details last reviewed | 2026-10-06 | 2026-10-06 |
| Official pricing / source | Check pricing | Check pricing |
| Next step |
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