Side-by-side comparison

n8n vs Zapier

Compare features, pricing, pros & cons to decide which tool is right for you.

n8n

n8n

Open-source workflow automation you can self-host

AI Automation

Zapier

Zapier

Automate workflows between 6,000+ apps with AI

AI Automation

Feature	n8n	Zapier
Pricing	Open Source	Freemium
Starting price	$20/mo	$20/mo
API available
Open source
Mobile app
Browser ext.

n8n Key Features

Self-hostable
400+ integrations
AI agent workflows
LangChain integration
Custom code nodes
Webhook triggers
Visual workflow editor
Community templates

Zapier Key Features

6,000+ app integrations
Natural language Zap creation
AI steps in workflows
Chatbot builder
Multi-step Zaps
Zapier Tables
Zapier Interfaces

n8n Pros & Cons

Pros

Open source and self-hostable
Powerful AI capabilities
Great developer experience

Cons

Requires technical knowledge
Self-hosting takes setup

Zapier Pros & Cons

Pros

Largest app ecosystem
Very easy to use
Reliable and mature platform

Cons

Gets expensive at scale
Complex workflows need careful setup

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between n8n and Zapier?

n8n is Open-source workflow automation you can self-host. Zapier is Automate workflows between 6,000+ apps with AI.

Is n8n free?

n8n is Open Source, starting at $20/month.

Is Zapier better than n8n?

It depends on your use case. n8n is best for Custom automation, while Zapier excels at Marketing automation.

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n8n vs Zapier — Which AI Tool is Better? (2026) | Foruda