Zapier vs n8n
Zapier made automation accessible to everyone with its simple trigger-action model and massive app catalog. n8n is the open-source alternative with more power under the hood. The question is whether you want simplicity or control.
Updated 2026-09 · 2026
Zapier
The no-code automation platform with the biggest app catalog
Strengths
- +7,000+ app integrations - if it exists, Zapier probably connects to it
- +Dead simple for non-technical users
- +Reliable execution with good error handling
Weaknesses
- -Task limits mean costs scale with usage fast
- -$20/mo for 750 tasks - complex workflows eat through tasks quickly
- -Multi-step zaps require paid plans
Best for
Non-technical teams and individuals who want to connect apps and automate workflows without writing code.
n8n
Open-source workflow automation with code-level flexibility
Strengths
- +Free and open source with self-hosting option
- +Visual workflow builder with code node for custom logic
- +No task limits when self-hosted
Weaknesses
- -400+ integrations - large but far fewer than Zapier's 7,000+
- -Self-hosting means you handle uptime and maintenance
- -Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
Best for
Technical users and teams who want powerful automation without per-task pricing, especially those comfortable with self-hosting.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20/mo (750 tasks) | Free (self-hosted) |
| App integrations | 7,000+ | 400+ |
| Task/execution limits | 750-2M tasks/mo depending on plan | Unlimited (self-hosted) |
| Self-hosting | No | Yes |
| Visual workflow builder | Yes, linear | Yes, node-based (more flexible) |
| Code execution | Code by Zapier step | Code node (JavaScript/Python) |
| Branching / conditionals | Paths (paid) | Yes, built-in |
| Error handling | Basic retry and error notifications | Error workflows, retries, custom handling |
| Webhooks | Yes (paid) | Yes (free) |
| Sub-workflows | Limited | Yes, full sub-workflow support |
| Multi-step workflows | Paid plans only | All plans |
| AI integration | AI actions built in | AI nodes (OpenAI, etc.) |
| Learning curve | Low - designed for non-technical users | Moderate - more powerful but more complex |
The Verdict
Zapier wins on breadth and simplicity. If you need to connect a niche SaaS tool to another niche SaaS tool, Zapier probably has both in its catalog. For simple automations - new form submission creates a Slack message and updates a spreadsheet - Zapier is the path of least resistance. n8n wins when workflows get complex or volume gets high. No task limits when self-hosted means you're not watching a meter tick. The node-based builder handles branching, error handling, and sub-workflows in ways Zapier can't match. If you're technical and doing serious automation, n8n gives you more for less.
How to switch from Zapier to n8n
Full Zapier export guide →- 1Open each Zap in Zapier and use the "..." menu to view or export its configuration - note the trigger app, action steps, and field mappings, since Zapier has no single bulk-export file for all Zaps.
- 2Install n8n - either self-hosted via Docker/npm (free) or sign up for n8n Cloud starting at $20/mo - and set up the same third-party accounts (Slack, Google, CRM, etc.) as credentials in n8n.
- 3Rebuild each Zap as an n8n workflow: match the Zapier trigger to the equivalent n8n trigger node, then recreate the action steps using n8n's built-in nodes or an HTTP Request node for apps n8n doesn't natively support.
- 4Test each recreated workflow in n8n with sample data before disabling the matching Zap, comparing outputs side by side to confirm field mappings and logic transferred correctly.
- 5Run the Zapier Zap and the n8n workflow in parallel for a few days on lower-risk automations to catch edge cases, then turn off the Zapier Zap once you're confident in the n8n version.
- 6Once all workflows are migrated and verified, cancel or downgrade the Zapier subscription and document the new n8n workflows so the rest of the team knows where automations now live.
Zapier vs n8n: common questions
How do I export my Zaps from Zapier before switching to n8n?+
Zapier doesn't offer a single bulk export button - open each Zap, use the "..." menu, and choose "Export" (or copy the Zap's step-by-step configuration) to get a record of triggers, actions, and field mappings. There's no automatic Zapier-to-n8n converter, so plan to manually rebuild each Zap as an n8n workflow using the exported config as your reference.
What do I lose moving from Zapier to n8n?+
You lose Zapier's much larger pre-built app catalog (7,000+ vs n8n's 400+), so any niche SaaS tool without a native n8n node will need an HTTP Request node and manual API setup. You also lose Zapier's hosted reliability and support unless you pay for n8n Cloud, since self-hosted n8n makes you responsible for uptime, updates, and security patches.
Is n8n's free self-hosted tier enough for a small team?+
Yes, for most small teams - the self-hosted Community edition is free, has no execution limits, and includes core features like branching, error workflows, and the code node. You'll need someone comfortable running Docker or a small server, and you give up multi-user role management, which is only in n8n's paid Enterprise plan.
Does n8n support the same integrations Zapier does?+
No - n8n has around 400 built-in integrations versus Zapier's 7,000+. Common tools like Slack, Google Sheets, HubSpot, and Salesforce are covered natively, but for anything less mainstream you'll typically connect via n8n's HTTP Request node and the app's own API.
How does the cost compare between Zapier and n8n over a year?+
Zapier's Starter plan runs about $240/year for 750 tasks, and costs climb fast on higher tiers as task volume grows. Self-hosted n8n is free indefinitely aside from your own server costs (often $5-20/month on a small VPS), while n8n Cloud starts at $20/mo with no per-task fees, so heavy users typically save the most by self-hosting.