n8n vs Zapier
n8n and Zapier sit in the same category and share 2 tasks. The verdict below is calculated for each role from the tasks, the role fit and the price.
Short answer
Zapier wins for 7 of 16 roles in our data. Zapier starts at $19.99/mo; n8n publishes no fixed price.
Verdict by role
| Role | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | Zapier | covers 2 tasks relevant to this role against 1; built for this role |
| Finance manager | Zapier | covers 2 tasks relevant to this role against 1 |
| Manager | Either one | even on tasks, n8n is cheaper to start |
| Marketer | n8n | works for free |
| Sales manager | Either one | even on tasks, n8n is cheaper to start |
| Data analyst | Zapier | covers 3 tasks relevant to this role against 2 |
| Teacher | Either one | even on tasks, n8n is cheaper to start |
| Executive assistant | n8n | works for free |
| Logistics manager | Either one | even on tasks, n8n is cheaper to start |
| Procurement manager | Zapier | covers 2 tasks relevant to this role against 1 |
| Secretary | Either one | even on tasks, n8n is cheaper to start |
| Tax consultant | Zapier | covers 2 tasks relevant to this role against 1; built for this role |
| Auditor | Zapier | covers 2 tasks relevant to this role against 1; built for this role |
| Economist | Zapier | covers 2 tasks relevant to this role against 1 |
| Project manager | Either one | even on tasks, n8n is cheaper to start |
| Social media manager | Either one | even on tasks, n8n is cheaper to start |
Side by side
| n8n | Zapier | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | n8n GmbH | Zapier |
| Category | Automation and business apps | Automation and business apps |
| Free plan | Yes: The self-hosted Community edition with unlimited executions, without shared credentials or team roles | Yes: 100 tasks a month, two-step zaps, checks every 15 minutes |
| Cheapest paid plan | price on request | Professional, $19.99/mo |
| Top plan | price on request | Team, $69/mo |
| Tasks covered | 3 | 3 |
n8n: Automation with AI agents that you can host on your own server with no per-operation fees.
Zapier: No-code app connections with an AI step inside: an email arrives, data is extracted, a row lands in a sheet.
Tasks both handle
Only n8n covers
Only Zapier covers
Pitfalls to watch at work
n8n
- A self-hosted server without updates and backups stops every automation at once: assign someone responsible for maintenance
- Agent nodes with access to email or the CRM act without confirmation: add a human approval step before sending or changing records
- Keep API keys and passwords in the built-in credentials store, out of node fields that show up in workflow exports
Zapier
- A connected Gmail or CRM gives the service access to all its data: create a separate technical account with minimal rights
- An AI step on every email uses both Zapier tasks and model tokens: filter down to the emails you actually need
- A zap with a mistake silently repeats it on hundreds of records: add a check step with an alert to Telegram or Slack
FAQ
Is n8n or Zapier better for work?
In our data Zapier is the better choice for 7 of 16 roles. The table above shows the reason for each role.
Which is cheaper, n8n or Zapier?
Zapier starts at $19.99/mo; n8n publishes no fixed price.
Do n8n and Zapier have free plans?
n8n: Yes. The self-hosted Community edition with unlimited executions, without shared credentials or team roles. Zapier: Yes. 100 tasks a month, two-step zaps, checks every 15 minutes.
Compare n8n with
Compare Zapier with
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Alternatives to n8n · Alternatives to Zapier · n8n pricing · Zapier pricing
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