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 |
32-point evaluation
Agenticness
11/32
Guided Assistant
n8n
12/32
Adaptive Collaborator
Zapier
Dimension Breakdown (0-4 each)
Action Capability
n8n
3
Zapier
2
Autonomy
n8n
1
Zapier
1
Planning
n8n
2
Zapier
1
Adaptation
n8n
1
Zapier
1
State & Memory
n8n
0
Zapier
2
Reliability
n8n
0
Zapier
1
Interoperability
n8n
2
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
Pricing not publicly available.
- **Free / self-hosted:** Source-available under a fair-code license; self-hostable.
- **Cloud:** Available via n8n Cloud.
- **Enterprise:** Enterprise licenses available for additional features and support; contact sales.
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
Pick n8n when you’re a technical team that needs **hybrid/self-hosted control** (including Docker/local setup and options like air-gapped deployments), plus **code-level workflow customization** via JavaScript/Python, npm packages, and custom nodes—especially if you’re building **LangChain-based, AI-native automation** across integrations. Pick Zapier when you want **cloud-first, guardrailed automation** that non-engineers and teams can roll out quickly: build multi-step **Zaps**, manage data with **Tables** and **Forms**, generate automations with **Zapier Copilot**, and—most importantly for orgs—ship with strong **collaboration/governance** such as shared connections and **SAML SSO**, plus enterprise deployment options like VPC peering and observability.
Choose n8n if...
- +Choose n8n if you need **self-hosting or hybrid deployment** (Docker or local `npx n8n`, plus n8n Cloud) and want deeper control like **air-gapped deployments and advanced permissions/SSO** for technical teams.
- +Choose n8n if your automations require **custom logic and extensibility**—you can drop in **JavaScript or Python** inside workflows, **install npm packages**, and even **create/extend functionality with custom nodes** rather than staying purely no-code.
- +Choose n8n if you want **AI-native workflow building** using **LangChain**-based steps (LLM steps combined with app actions) where the automation itself is part of a more programmable AI workflow, not just “AI-generated mappings.”
- +Choose Zapier if you want the fastest path to **reliable app-to-app automation entirely from the cloud** with a polished web editor, built around Zaps for repeatable business processes.
- +Choose Zapier if you need **team collaboration and governance** as first-class features (shared Zaps/folders/app connections, **SAML SSO**, admin controls, and enterprise options like VPC peering/observability) without running infrastructure yourself.
Choose Zapier if...
- +Choose Zapier if you want the fastest path to **reliable app-to-app automation entirely from the cloud** with a polished web editor, built around Zaps for repeatable business processes.
- +Choose Zapier if you need **team collaboration and governance** as first-class features (shared Zaps/folders/app connections, **SAML SSO**, admin controls, and enterprise options like VPC peering/observability) without running infrastructure yourself.