n8n vs. Zapier: Feature, pricing, and usability comparison

Automation can benefit your business if you’re looking to save time and improve efficiency, but choosing the right tool can be challenging. n8n and Zapier are two of the most popular automation platforms, each aimed at different types of customers.

This article compares n8n and Zapier, covering features, pricing, scalability, and real-world use cases. Whether you’re a freelancer, a small business owner, or an enterprise-level user, this guide will help you decide which tool best suits your automation needs.

What are n8n and Zapier?

While these two automation platforms are almost identical in purpose, and their capabilities overlap a great deal, you’ll find they differ in some ways when you look at each one in detail.

n8n overview

n8n is a platform for workflow automation. n8n’s main purpose is to give you complete control over their automation processes.

Unlike traditional SaaS-based automation tools, n8n allows self-hosting, thus enabling your business to build extensive workflow customizations while adhering to data privacy regulations.

Flexibility is one of n8n’s standout features – it allows for loops, conditional logic, and function nodes with advanced scripting. It integrates with a wide range of APIs, applications, and databases.

n8n also excels in use cases that require high configurability, such as ETL (extract, transform, load) processes, data synchronization between multiple platforms, and back-end automation for applications.

As it is community-driven, n8n uses benefit from continuous improvements and contributions from developers worldwide, fostering innovation and adaptability.

Zapier overview

Zapier is a leading SaaS-based, no-code automation tool designed for ease of use. It allows you to connect a wide range of apps without writing code, making automation accessible to businesses of all types and sizes.

Zapier’s strength lies in its extensive library of integrations and its user-friendly interface. Companies typically use it to automate marketing workflows, CRM updates, and data transfers between popular SaaS platforms like Slack, Salesforce, and Google Workspace. Its pre-built templates and extensive customer support infrastructure make it an excellent choice if you’re a non-technical user seeking quick and reliable automation.

With a customer base that includes startups, small businesses, and large enterprises, Zapier has established itself as a go-to automation solution to enhance productivity without the complexities of self-hosting or custom development.

Feature comparison: n8n vs. Zapier

When comparing n8n and Zapier, you should evaluate their customization options, their core automation capabilities, the number of available integrations with each, and the accessibility of each product.

One of n8n’s greatest advantages is the availability of a free self-hosted option, which provides you with full control over your automation infrastructure. Unlike Zapier, which operates entirely in the cloud, n8n allows you to deploy workflows on your own server, ensuring better security, data privacy, and cost efficiency.

In contrast, it’s important to note that Zapier offers over 7,000 pre-built integrations, enabling a seamless, no-code solution that can more easily adapt to the needs of a wider range of organizations.

Key features

Feature	n8n	Zapier
Workflow automation	Advanced, supports loops, branching, and scripting	Simple, linear automation with fewer customization options
Integrations	400+ integrations, API-based custom integrations	7000+ pre-built integrations
Customizability	High, supports JavaScript and self-hosting	Limited, no-code based, SaaS-only
Pricing	Free self-hosted, paid cloud version	Subscription-based with limited free tier
Ease of use	Requires technical knowledge	Beginner-friendly, no coding required
Hosting	Self-hosted or cloud	Cloud-only
Community & support	Active developer community, forums	Extensive documentation, dedicated customer support

Security features and compliance standards

Security and compliance attributes are critically important if you’re an enterprise user.

n8n, being self-hosted, provides you with full control over your data, allowing deployment in secure environments while meeting strict security policies. It supports encryption, role-based access control (RBAC), and secure API authentication. Users can also configure n8n for GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2 compliance.

Zapier, being a cloud-based service, follows industry standards like SOC 2 Type II and GDPR but processes data on its own servers, limiting data residency control.

While self-hosted n8n offers tighter security overall, Zapier’s managed solution is better suited to less restrictive compliance needs.

Feature	n8n	Zapier
Data control	Self-hosted, allows full control over data security and privacy	Cloud-based, data is processed on Zapier’s servers
Security features	Supports encryption, secure API authentication, and role-based access control (RBAC)	Encrypts data in transit and at rest, with built-in security protocols
Compliance standards	Can be configured to meet GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, and other enterprise compliance requirements	SOC 2 Type II certified and GDPR-compliant, but limited control over data residency

Pros and cons of n8n

Pros:

• Self-hostable, ensuring data control and privacy.
• Highly advanced workflows with scripting and custom logic options.
• Community-driven with frequent updates and improvements.
• Cost-effective for users willing to self-host.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve, requiring technical capabilities.
• Fewer out-of-the-box integrations compared to Zapier.
• Self-hosting may require infrastructure maintenance.

Pros and cons of Zapier

Pros:

• Easy to use with a no-code interface.
• Extensive library of pre-built integrations.
• Ideal for quick and simple automation workflows.
• Strong customer support and documentation.

Cons:

• Limited flexibility and customization options for complex workflows.
• Higher costs at scale with premium integrations.
• Cloud-only, which may raise data privacy concerns for some users.

While both tools offer workflow automation solutions, n8n and Zapier excel in distinct areas. The right choice depends on your budget, technical expertise, and the level of control you require.

Pricing and plan comparison: n8n vs. Zapier

n8n offers a free self-hosted version along with a paid cloud-based option, while Zapier operates on a tiered subscription model with a limited free plan.

Free vs. paid plans

n8n’s free self-hosted version allows you to run unlimited workflows on your own infrastructure. It also offers a cloud-hosted version with a subscription starting at $20/month, which includes additional features and support.

Zapier offers a free plan that supports up to 5 single-step Zaps and 100 tasks per month. Paid plans start at $19.99/month, offering multi-step workflows, premium app integrations and higher task limits.

Pricing Comparison

Aspect	n8n (Self-Hosted)	n8n (Cloud)	Zapier (Free)	Zapier (Paid)
Pricing	Free (no monthly fees)	Starter: €20/monthPro: €50+/monthEnterprise: Custom pricing	$0/month	Professional: $19.99–$49/monthTeams: $69/monthEnterprise: Custom pricing
Hosting & maintenance	Self-hosted, requires own server (Hostinger VPS, AWS)	Fully managed by n8n	Fully managed by Zapier	Fully managed by Zapier
Task & workflow limits	Unlimited executions, no limits on workflows	Starter: 2,500 executions/monthPro: 10,000–50,000 executions/month	100 tasks/month,Single-step Zaps only	750+ tasks/month,Multi-step workflows, premium features

Cost-effectiveness summary

• n8n is more cost-effective if you’re comfortable with self-hosting, as it is completely free to use aside from fees for VPS hosting.
• Zapier’s ease of use makes it a better option if you prefer a managed, no-code solution, though it can become expensive at scale.
• For enterprise automation, n8n’s flexibility and lower cost make it an attractive alternative to Zapier’s higher-tier plans.

If budget and scalability are your priorities, n8n’s self-hosted model can offer the best value, especially if you can find reasonably-priced hosting. Hostinger offers VPS hosting with a template-based installation of n8n starting at RM23.99 /month.

If you need an out-of-the-box solution with a low-effort setup, Zapier’s paid plans offer a seamless experience, though these may come at a higher price.

Scalability, support, and community comparison of n8n and Zapier

The ability to scale up, the support options on offer, and the involvement of the user community are categories that most clearly illustrate the differences between self-hosted solutions and locked-in, tier-based platforms.

Scalability

n8n’s self-hosting model offers significant scalability, limited only by server resources. Zapier, being a cloud-based service, scales in parallel with its pricing tiers, meaning that you must upgrade your subscription plans as your automation needs grow.

Support and community

Zapier offers structured customer support, including a help center, live chat and email assistance, making it accessible to users of all technical capabilities and tier levels.

n8n, while offering official support for its cloud-hosted users, relies heavily on its community for product improvements. Developers actively contribute via GitHub and community forums, ensuring continuous platform improvements.

Aspect	n8n	Zapier
Scalability approach	Self-hosted, allows horizontal scaling by adding more server resources	Cloud-based with tiered pricing plans limiting tasks per month
Performance for high-volume workflows	Supports parallel processing and unlimited executions (in self-hosted mode)	Performance constrained by API rate limits and task-based pricing
Flexibility and customization options	Highly customizable with advanced branching logic, custom error handling, and workflow optimization	Limited customization; primarily designed for simple or medium-complexity workflows
Cost for large-scale use	Cost-effective for businesses running high-volume workflows, as self-hosting removes per-task pricing constraints	Can become expensive due to task-based limits
Ease of maintenance	Requires in-house management of servers and infrastructure	Fully managed infrastructure with no need for server maintenance

Scalability and support key takeaways

As is the case with many similar comparisons between self-hosted and locked-in solutions, n8n’s flexibility requires a community of loyal users to help improve the platform and to help other users troubleshoot problems, while Zapier’s tier-based offering provides scalability and support for a fee, but does not allow for full control over the software.

Use case comparisons of n8n and Zapier

While both platforms overlap greatly in functionality and can be used for a wide variety of simple to complex workflows, some scenarios ideally suited to each can be suggested.

n8n use cases

• Automating complex internal workflows. Businesses use n8n to synchronize data across multiple platforms, manage database updates, and integrate with internal API solutions.
• Managing complex ecommerce operations. Online stores automate inventory tracking, order processing, and customer notifications with n8n’s flexible integrations.
• Secure data processing and reporting. Companies leverage n8n to pull, clean, and analyze data from multiple sources for secure, real-time business insights.
• Custom CRM automation. Small businesses create tailored CRM workflows that synchronize customer data, schedule follow-ups, and trigger marketing sequences while keeping customer details secure.
• Content publishing on blogs and social media. Large online publishing companies can schedule and distribute huge volumes of content across multiple platforms, automating and speeding up their publishing workflows.

Zapier use cases

• Marketing and lead nurturing. Automates small-scale marketing tasks like adding leads to CRMs, sending email campaigns, and posting on social media.
• Customer support automation. Helps businesses streamline ticketing, chatbot responses, and customer feedback collection.
• Productivity and admin tasks. Freelancers and entrepreneurs use Zapier to automate invoice creation, task management, and appointment scheduling.
• Small-scale ecommerce integrations. Connects payment processors and shipping providers for prompt and smooth order management.
• HR and recruiting. Helps small to medium-sized HR teams automate candidate tracking, interview scheduling, and employee onboarding processes.

Ideal use cases for n8n are based on the self-hosting option, with more complex workflows, large volumes of digital information, and more secure storage and processing for customer data or proprietary content.

Zapier’s simplicity and ease of use allows solopreneurs, small businesses, and non-technical teams to benefit from its vast library of pre-built integrations and intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, but this will be better suited to small or medium-scale operations that do not require the highest level of security.

Conclusion

Both n8n and Zapier are valuable workflow automation tools – your choice will depend on the size of your operations, the level of security required, and of course, your budget. Each option offers distinct benefits and limitations, and comparing them will help you make an informed decision based on your needs, budget and technical resources.

Key takeaways:

• n8n is ideal if you are looking for complete control via the self-hosted option, which also offers scalability, cost-effectiveness, and a greater degree of privacy and security.
• Zapier is a better choice if you need an cloud-hosted, no-code platform with tons of ready-made integrations, and you have the budget for it.

Regardless of the tool you choose, automation will save you time, streamline your operations, and enable you to focus on what matters: growing your business.

n8n vs Zapier FAQ