n8n vs Zapier: complete comparison for developers and technical teams deciding between self-hosted open-source vs managed cloud automation in 2026.
n8n wins for technical users — unlimited self-hosted executions, code steps, and data privacy. Zapier wins for non-technical users who need to move fast.
Developer-friendly node canvas. Requires comfort with APIs and JSON. Steep for non-technical users.
Simplest interface of any major automation tool. Anyone can build a Zap in minutes.
Self-hosted is completely free and unlimited. Cloud starts at $20/mo.
Free tier extremely limited (100 tasks/mo). Gets expensive fast — $69+/mo for mid-volume.
400+ native integrations. Any API reachable via HTTP node or custom code.
8,000+ integrations — largest ecosystem. Best app breadth of any platform.
Full JavaScript/Python inside workflow nodes. Unmatched customization.
Good for simple logic. Paths and filters available on paid plans. Less flexible than Make.
n8n wins for technical users — unlimited self-hosted executions, code steps, and data privacy. Zapier wins for non-technical users who need to move fast.
