Side-by-side comparison
n8n vs Zapier
vs
Zapier
Automate workflows across 8,000+ apps with AI and no-code tools
AgenticnessAdaptive Collaborator
Side-by-side comparison based on our agenticness evaluation framework
At a glance
Quick Facts
| Feature | n8n | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Workflow Automation | Workflow Automation |
| Deployment | Hybrid (cloud + self-hosted) | Cloud-hosted |
| Autonomy Level | Semi-autonomous | Semi-autonomous |
| Model Support | Multi-model | Single model |
| Open Source | -- | No |
| MCP Support | -- | Yes |
| Team Support | Enterprise | Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Interface | gui, cli, web | web, api |
36-point evaluation
Agenticness
15/36
Guided Assistant
n8n
16/36
Adaptive Collaborator
Zapier
Dimension Breakdown (0-4 each)
Action Capability
n8n
3
Zapier
3
Autonomy
n8n
2
Zapier
1
Planning
n8n
1
Zapier
1
Adaptation
n8n
0
Zapier
1
State & Memory
n8n
1
Zapier
2
Reliability
n8n
3
Zapier
3
Interoperability
n8n
1
Zapier
2
Safety
n8n
2
Zapier
2
Scores from our agenticness evaluation framework. Higher is more autonomous.
Features & Use Cases
n8n
Features
- Build workflows visually with a drag-and-drop editor
- Add custom JavaScript or Python inside workflows
- Install and use npm packages in workflows
- Connect to 400+ integrations
- Use AI-native workflow building based on LangChain
- Run self-hosted or in n8n Cloud
- Deploy with Docker or via npx for local setup
- Use enterprise controls such as advanced permissions, SSO, and air-gapped deployments
Use Cases
- Automating internal business processes across multiple SaaS tools
- Building AI-assisted workflows that combine app actions with LLM steps
- Creating custom integrations and event-driven automations for engineering teams
- Self-hosting automation for teams that need more control over data and deployment
- Running repeatable ops workflows with approvals, logic, and code-based edge cases
Zapier
Features
- Build two-step and multi-step Zaps
- Add logic branches, scheduling, and data formatting
- Connect apps with Webhooks by Zapier
- Store workflow data in Tables
- Create custom forms with Forms
- Use Zapier Copilot to generate Zaps, code steps, and field mappings
- Create AI fields using an OpenAI account
- Share Zaps, folders, and app connections with teams
Use Cases
- Automating lead capture from forms into a CRM
- Routing support requests into internal workflows
- Sharing team-wide automations with permissions and shared app connections
- Building AI-assisted internal tools with forms and tables
- Connecting business apps through multi-step no-code workflows
Pricing
n8n
- **Community Edition:** Self-hosted version available on GitHub.
- **Starter:** 20€/mo billed annually, 2.5K workflow executions.
- **Pro:** 50€/mo billed annually, 10K workflow executions.
- **Business:** 667€/mo billed annually, 40K workflow executions.
- **Enterprise:** Contact sales, custom executions.
Zapier
- **Free:** $0/mo; includes 100 tasks/month, Zaps, Tables, Forms, and Zapier Copilot with daily message limits.
- **Professional ($19.99/mo starting, billed annually):** Adds multi-step Zaps, unlimited premium apps, webhooks, AI fields, and email/live chat support on higher task tiers.
- **Team ($69/mo starting, billed annually):** Includes 25 users, shared Zaps and folders, shared app connections, SAML SSO, and Premier Support.
- **Enterprise:** Contact sales for custom pricing, unlimited users, advanced admin controls, VPC peering, annual task limits, and observability.
Analysis
Our Verdict
Choose n8n for technically owned automation that may need self-hosting, air-gapped deployment, custom code, npm dependencies, or extensible custom nodes—especially when connecting internal systems and implementing logic-heavy workflows. Choose Zapier for a managed business-automation environment centered on no-code Zaps, integrated forms and data tables, broad MCP-based AI-tool connectivity, and ready-made team sharing and administration features.
Choose n8n if...
- +Choose n8n if you need to self-host automations—including Docker, local `npx n8n` setups, or air-gapped deployments—to retain control over data and infrastructure.
- +Choose n8n if workflows need developer-level customization: embedded JavaScript or Python, npm packages, custom nodes, and code for complex edge cases.
- +Choose n8n if you are building AI-enabled operational workflows with LangChain-based capabilities alongside integrations, APIs, and internal systems.
- +Choose n8n if your technical team needs to extend the automation platform itself rather than only configure prebuilt app workflows.
Choose Zapier if...
- +Choose Zapier if you want a cloud-managed, no-code automation platform that combines multi-step Zaps with built-in Tables and Forms for business workflows such as lead capture and support routing.
- +Choose Zapier if you need Zapier MCP to connect AI tools to its 8,000-app ecosystem.
- +Choose Zapier if teams need shared Zaps, folders, and app connections, with SAML SSO and centrally managed access available on Team plans.
- +Choose Zapier if you want AI assistance to generate Zaps, code steps, and field mappings through Zapier Copilot, or to add AI fields using an OpenAI account.