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
14/36
Adaptive Collaborator
n8n
13/36
Adaptive Collaborator
Zapier
Dimension Breakdown (0-4 each)
Action Capability
n8n
3
Zapier
2
Autonomy
n8n
2
Zapier
1
Planning
n8n
2
Zapier
1
Adaptation
n8n
1
Zapier
1
State & Memory
n8n
1
Zapier
2
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 you need programmable, self-hosted (or hybrid) workflow automation with deeper technical control: embed JavaScript/Python, install npm packages, extend with custom nodes, and leverage LangChain-based AI-native workflow steps—especially if you require air-gapped deployment or stronger data/control governance. Pick Zapier when you want the simplest cloud experience for dependable multi-step app automation with strong team/enterprise collaboration features (shared workflows, SAML SSO, advanced admin controls) and fast AI-assisted building via Zapier Copilot and AI fields, including MCP-based connectivity to a very large app catalog.
Choose n8n if...
- +Choose n8n if you need **self-hosting or hybrid control** (Docker or `npx n8n` for local start, plus n8n Cloud) and want **enterprise options like SSO and air-gapped deployments** for sensitive automation data.
- +Choose n8n if your workflows require **custom code and extensibility**—you can embed **JavaScript or Python inside workflows**, install **npm packages**, and even **extend the platform with custom nodes** for specialized integrations.
- +Choose n8n if you want **AI-native workflow building with LangChain**—it’s positioned to combine app actions with LLM steps as part of the same automation pipeline, not just add AI as an occasional step.
- +Choose n8n if you expect **very broad integration coverage with technical flexibility** (400+ integrations) and want automation to behave more like a “programmable” workflow system than a purely managed SaaS.
Choose Zapier if...
- +Choose Zapier if you want a **fully cloud-based setup** and fast time-to-value via its web editor—best when your priority is reliable app-to-app automation without managing infrastructure.
- +Choose Zapier if you need **team collaboration and enterprise admin features** out of the box (shared Zaps/folders/app connections, **SAML SSO**, advanced permissions) with clear plans starting at Free/Professional/Team.
- +Choose Zapier if you want **Zapier’s AI features in business workflows**—use **Zapier Copilot** to generate Zaps/code steps/field mappings and **AI fields using an OpenAI account**, plus easy sharing of automations across teams.
- +Choose Zapier if you specifically want **MCP support to connect AI tools to ~8,000 apps** (via Zapier MCP), making it a good fit for organizations standardizing on MCP-style integrations alongside app automation.