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Zapier vs n8n: Which Automation Platform Fits You?
Zapier and n8n both automate workflows between apps and add AI agents. Zapier is a no-code cloud service priced by tasks, with Zapier Agents, Copilot and an MCP server. n8n can run in the cloud or be self-hosted, is priced by workflow executions and supports code nodes.
The short answer
Pick Zapier if you are not a developer and want a large app catalog with a simple no-code builder. Pick n8n if you have technical skills, want to self-host, or run multi-step workflows where per-execution pricing helps.
Side by sideZapier (Agents & AI) vs n8n
| Zapier (Agents & AI) | n8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Zapier, Inc. | n8n GmbH |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starts at | $19.99/mo (Pro, 750 tasks, billed annually; $29.99 billed monthly) | 20€/mo, billed annually (Starter) |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web, api | web, api |
| Models used | — | — |
| Best for | Non-developers who want to connect business apps and add AI agents to workflows without code. | Technical teams that want flexible automation and AI agent workflows with the option to self-host. |
Facts in this table come from the verified profile of each product.
Key differences
$19.99/mo (Pro, 750 tasks, billed annually); $29.99 billed monthly.
20€/mo billed annually (Starter, 2.5K executions).
100 tasks/month, two-step Zaps, Copilot with a daily limit, 400 Agents activities/month.
Self-hosted Community Edition on GitHub.
By monthly task volume; Agents billed separately in activities.
By workflow executions, not steps.
Cloud service.
Hosted cloud or self-hosted on your own infrastructure.
Non-developers connecting business apps without code.
Technical teams that want custom logic with code nodes.
Zapier Agents, AI Copilot and Zapier MCP for AI assistants.
AI agent building blocks inside workflows.
Free plan limited to two-step Zaps; costs scale with task volume.
Self-hosting needs your own maintenance; steeper learning curve.
Choose Zapier (Agents & AI) if…
- You want to automate without writing code.
- You need a very large catalog of app integrations.
- You want AI assistants to call Zapier actions through MCP.
- You prefer a fully managed cloud service.
Choose n8n if…
- You want to self-host on your own servers.
- Your workflows have many steps and per-execution pricing suits you.
- You need code nodes for custom logic.
- Your team is comfortable with a steeper learning curve.
Frequently asked questions
Is n8n free?
n8n offers a self-hosted Community Edition on GitHub, which you run on your own infrastructure. Its cloud plans start at 20€/mo billed annually for Starter with 2.5K executions.
How do Zapier and n8n price automations?
Zapier charges by monthly task volume, with Agents usage counted separately in activities. n8n cloud charges by workflow executions, not by steps, so one run counts once however many steps it has.
Which is easier for beginners?
Zapier is aimed at non-developers who want to connect apps without code. n8n targets technical teams and has a steeper learning curve than simpler no-code tools.
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