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
If you’re an engineering team that needs hybrid control (local/Docker or self-managed), custom code (JavaScript/Python) and npm-driven logic, AI workflow construction with LangChain, and the ability to extend via custom nodes—go with n8n. If you want the fastest path to dependable business automations in a managed cloud, with Zaps plus built-in Tables/Forms, strong sharing for teams, Copilot-generated steps/field mappings, and enterprise-friendly controls like SAML SSO (plus Zapier MCP for broader AI/tool connectivity)—go with Zapier.
Choose n8n if...
- +Choose n8n if you need to **self-host or run hybrid** automation with more control over deployment/data (Docker or local `npx n8n`, plus n8n Cloud as an alternative), including enterprise options like **air-gapped deployments, advanced permissions, and SSO**.
- +Choose n8n if your workflows require **developer-level customization inside the automation**—you can embed **custom JavaScript or Python** and **install npm packages within workflows**, not just rely on prebuilt app actions.
- +Choose n8n if you want **AI-native workflow construction using LangChain** (LLM steps combined with app/API actions), and you’re comfortable designing an automation platform that’s closer to a programmable workflow engine.
- +Choose n8n if you need broad connectivity via **400+ integrations** and/or plan to **extend it with custom nodes** for engineering-specific events and systems.
Choose Zapier if...
- +Choose Zapier if you want a **cloud-only, fast-to-start visual automation** experience aimed at business users and teams, with straightforward sharing/collaboration via the web app (Zaps, folders, shared app connections).
- +Choose Zapier if you need **reliable multi-step app-to-app automations with guardrails** using a no-code editor—especially **branching logic, scheduling, and data formatting**—and you want it bundled with **Tables and Forms** for lightweight internal workflows.
- +Choose Zapier if you rely on **AI-assisted Zap building** via **Zapier Copilot** and **AI fields tied to an OpenAI account**, or if you want **Zapier MCP** to connect AI tools to a very large app ecosystem (described as up to **8,000 apps**).
- +Choose Zapier if your priority is enterprise admin controls with minimal platform management: **SAML SSO, advanced admin permissions**, and deployment add-ons like **VPC peering and observability** (noted for Enterprise).