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It's a split decision.
Zapier suits teams that want managed workflows across a large app catalog, with centralized governance and minimal infrastructure work. n8n suits developers who want inspectable workflows, the option to add code, and control over deployment through self-hosting. Zapier charges around task volume on paid plans; n8n Cloud plans cap monthly executions, while its free Community Edition uses your own server. Compare workflow limits and hosting needs before choosing: their usage units and operating responsibilities differ.
01Side by side
| Zapier | n8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid plans start at $19.99/month; task-based | Cloud starts at $20/month annually; execution-based |
| Free tier | 100 tasks/month; two-step Zaps | Self-hosted executions limited by server capacity |
| Open source and licence | Open-source status not published | Source available on GitHub; licence name not listed |
| Self-hosting | Run workflows on Zapier | Deploy on-prem or via Docker |
| Integrations | 9,000+ apps; 66,000+ triggers and actions | Examples include Slack, Jira, Notion and AI models |
| Deployment model | Managed web platform | Cloud or self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Limits and scaling | Task tiers; pay-per-task billing after limits | Cloud execution caps; self-hosted capacity depends on server |
Zapier Choose Zapier if
- Choose Zapier if you need broad app coverage without managing infrastructure.
- Choose Zapier if you want centralized workflow permissions and governance.
- Choose Zapier if your team builds workflows from AI tools using MCP.
n8n Choose n8n if
- Choose n8n if you need on-prem or Docker deployment.
- Choose n8n if developers need visual workflows with room for code.
- Choose n8n if you want to manage your own execution infrastructure.
02Pricing at real usage
Zapier’s Free plan includes 100 tasks per month, unlimited Zaps, Tables and Forms, and two-step Zaps. Professional starts at $19.99 per month and Team at $69, with prices at the lowest task tier; annual billing is discounted. Paid usage is task-based, and Zapier lists higher-rate pay-per-task billing after a task limit is reached. The paid task thresholds vary by tier.
n8n’s free Community Edition is self-hosted, with executions limited by your server. Cloud Starter costs $24 monthly or $20 per month billed annually for 2,500 executions; Pro costs $60 monthly or $50 annually for 10,000. Starter and Pro are hard-capped, with no execution overages: you must upgrade. Self-hosted Business starts at $960 monthly or $800 annually for 40,000 executions. Compare tasks with executions before estimating cost.
03API, SDKs and integration
Zapier’s integration path centers on its hosted workflow platform and Zapier MCP. MCP connects AI tools to business apps through one connection, without requiring API keys, and Zapier says it works with 230+ AI tools and 9,000+ apps. The platform lists 66,000+ triggers and actions. Next Gen Zaps add advanced logic and automatic recovery; the homepage describes them as early access.
n8n uses a visual workflow builder, with the option to drop into code. Its homepage shows integrations including Slack, Jira and Notion, and an AI example using Claude Sonnet 4.6, but does not give an integration count. Neither product page specifies supported SDK languages, a CLI, or public API conventions. Check each vendor’s developer documentation for those details before designing a custom integration. n8n emphasizes inspecting individual workflow steps and re-running failed steps; Zapier emphasizes building in AI tools and running workflows on its platform.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
n8n describes its source as available on GitHub and supports self-hosting on-prem or via Docker. The published plan details distinguish the free Community Edition from paid self-hosted Business and Enterprise plans; Community Edition lacks SSO, LDAP, queue mode and admin roles. Confirm the applicable licence and feature terms before deploying it. Zapier is presented as a hosted service that runs and governs workflows on Zapier; its product pages do not state an open-source option or self-hosting route.
Neither vendor’s product pages specify workflow export formats or credential portability. Treat those as procurement questions, not assumed migration paths. A move from Zapier may require rebuilding workflows around another platform’s triggers and actions. With n8n, code and self-managed hosting can give a team more operational control, but migration still depends on workflow design, credentials and integrations. Ask both vendors how to export workflows and data, and test a representative migration before committing.
Questions people ask
Is Zapier or n8n better for developers?
It depends on who should operate the automation. Zapier fits teams prioritizing a managed service and broad app coverage. n8n fits developers who want to inspect workflow steps, add code, or self-host. Compare execution needs, integrations and operational ownership rather than choosing on feature count alone.
Can n8n be self-hosted?
Yes. n8n supports self-hosting on-prem or via Docker, and its Community Edition is free with execution capacity limited by your server. The Community Edition does not include SSO, LDAP, queue mode or admin roles, according to the plan details.
How do Zapier and n8n charge for usage?
Zapier paid plans are task-based, with pay-per-task billing at a higher rate after a plan limit. n8n Cloud plans cap monthly workflow executions; Starter and Pro have no execution overages, so reaching the cap requires an upgrade. Self-hosted n8n capacity also depends on your infrastructure.
Can Zapier send text messages?
Zapier connects to thousands of apps, but whether it can send a text depends on the SMS service and actions available for that app. Check the relevant integration’s triggers and actions, then confirm any provider requirements, message charges and regional restrictions before building the workflow.