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 need technical extensibility (JS/Python, npm packages, custom nodes) and deployment control (self-hosted/hybrid, including air-gapped enterprise options) to run automation workflows across many integrations with deeper customization, whereas pick Zapier when you want a polished cloud experience for business-team automation—multi-step Zaps plus built-in Tables/Forms, strong team sharing/admin controls (SAML SSO), and managed AI features like Zapier Copilot and AI fields, along with Zapier MCP for connecting AI tools to a very large set of apps.
Choose n8n if...
- +Choose n8n if you need to self-host (or hybrid deploy) your automations for greater control over data and deployment—using Docker/npx locally or running in n8n Cloud—and you want enterprise options like SSO and air-gapped deployments.
- +Choose n8n if your workflows require technical flexibility beyond no-code steps, such as embedding custom JavaScript or Python, installing npm packages inside workflows, and writing edge-case logic across many systems.
- +Choose n8n if you want AI-native workflow building tied directly to workflow steps (described as “AI-native workflow building based on LangChain”), where LLM steps are part of a broader app/API automation flow.
- +Choose n8n if you need to extend the platform for custom integrations by building and deploying custom nodes, not just configuring existing connectors.
Choose Zapier if...
- +Choose Zapier if you want a ready-to-use, cloud-only automation platform focused on building reliable multi-step “Zaps” quickly in a visual editor—especially if you’re optimizing for speed with business apps rather than self-hosted control.
- +Choose Zapier if you want strong built-in collaboration and governance for teams—shared Zaps/folders/app connections, plus SAML SSO and advanced admin permissions on Team/Enterprise plans.
- +Choose Zapier if you want the bundled platform capabilities around automation plus workflow data capture—Zaps alongside Tables (workflow data storage) and Forms (custom intake)—and you want easier AI features like Zapier Copilot and “AI fields” using an OpenAI account.
- +Choose Zapier if you specifically want MCP integration to connect “AI tools to 8,000 apps” via Zapier MCP, and you prefer using the platform’s managed connectors rather than building custom ones.