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
16/36
Adaptive Collaborator
n8n
16/36
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
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 when technical flexibility and deployment control matter most: it combines visual workflow design with in-workflow JavaScript/Python, npm packages, custom extensions, and self-hosted or air-gapped operation. Choose Zapier when you want a cloud-first no-code business-automation platform with built-in Forms and Tables, broad MCP-based AI-tool connectivity to 8,000 apps, and packaged collaboration and enterprise administration features.
Choose n8n if...
- +Choose n8n if your automation needs custom JavaScript or Python, npm packages, or custom nodes to handle engineering-specific logic and integrations.
- +Choose n8n if you need to self-host workflows—such as in an air-gapped environment—or want Docker/local deployment and tighter control over data and infrastructure.
- +Choose n8n if you are building AI-assisted workflows with LangChain-native capabilities alongside API calls and app actions.
- +Choose n8n if your team needs repeatable operational workflows with code-based edge cases, approvals, and event-driven integrations.
Choose Zapier if...
- +Choose Zapier if you want to build business automations entirely through its web-based no-code experience, especially for lead capture, CRM updates, and support routing.
- +Choose Zapier if your workflow benefits from its built-in Tables and Forms for collecting and retaining operational data without assembling separate tools.
- +Choose Zapier if you need to expose connections to 8,000 apps through Zapier MCP so AI tools can invoke app actions.
- +Choose Zapier if you need team-oriented cloud administration such as shared Zaps, folders, and app connections, plus SAML SSO and enterprise options including VPC peering and observability.