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
13/36
Adaptive Collaborator
n8n
14/36
Adaptive Collaborator
Zapier
Dimension Breakdown (0-4 each)
Action Capability
n8n
3
Zapier
3
Autonomy
n8n
1
Zapier
1
Planning
n8n
2
Zapier
2
Adaptation
n8n
1
Zapier
1
State & Memory
n8n
1
Zapier
1
Reliability
n8n
0
Zapier
1
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
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 your automations need engineering-level control—especially **self-hosting/air-gapped deployments**, **Python/JavaScript + npm packages inside workflows**, **custom nodes**, and **LangChain-based AI-native workflow building** across **400+ integrations**. Pick Zapier when you want the quickest route to **cloud-based, reliable business automations** with strong **multi-step visual Zaps**, **Copilot-driven AI-assisted building**, and **team/enterprise collaboration and admin features** like **shared connections, SAML SSO, VPC peering, and observability**, plus **Zapier MCP** for broad app connectivity with AI tools.
Choose n8n if...
- +Choose n8n if you need **technical control and self-hosting/air-gapped options** (Docker, `npx n8n`, and enterprise capabilities like SSO + air-gapped deployments), not just a hosted automation service.
- +Choose n8n if your workflows need **inline custom logic**—you can drop **JavaScript or Python** into steps and even **install npm packages** inside workflows, which is valuable for edge-case processing and custom integrations.
- +Choose n8n if you want **deep app/API automation at scale** with **400+ integrations** and you’re building **event-driven, code-assisted workflows** using its **AI-native workflow building with LangChain**.
- +Choose n8n if you plan to **extend the platform** with custom functionality via **custom nodes**, rather than relying only on the platform’s built-in components.
Choose Zapier if...
- +Choose Zapier if you want a **cloud-first, fast setup** for reliable **app-to-app automations** using a visual editor—ideal for individuals and teams that don’t need to run infrastructure themselves.
- +Choose Zapier if you rely on **multi-step Zaps** plus operational features like **logic branches, scheduling, and data formatting**, and you want to handle common business workflows without writing code.
- +Choose Zapier if you want **team-ready governance and collaboration** out of the box—shared Zaps/folders and app connections, **SAML SSO**, and enterprise options like **VPC peering and observability**.
- +Choose Zapier if AI assistance in automation is a priority via **Zapier Copilot** (to generate Zaps, code steps, and field mappings) and **AI fields using your OpenAI account**, plus **Zapier MCP** to connect AI tools to **8,000 apps**.