n8nvsZapier
Two automation tools, the same questions. Every answer comes from the official pages, with the date we checked. Nothing here is ranked.
last check 2026-10-11
n8n
by n8n
Workflow automation and AI agent builder you can self-host or use in n8n Cloud, mixing visual nodes with JavaScript or Python code.
All n8n factsZapier
by Zapier Inc.
Connects thousands of web apps so events in one trigger actions in others, with AI steps, agents and MCP access for AI assistants.
All Zapier factsWhere they differ
- Free plan limitsn8n: Free Community edition must be self-hosted and lacks features such as custom variables, environments, external secrets and log streaming.Zapier: 100 tasks a month, shared between Zaps and MCP actions. Zaps limited to two steps: one trigger and one action
- Used to train AIn8n: Workflow context sent to n8n Assistant is not used to train the AI services' models.Zapier: Zapier says it does not train on the data that runs through workflows on any plan, but may learn from how workflows are structured unless you opt out; Enterprise is opted out automatically.
- Apps it connectsn8n: Over 500 integrationsZapier: 9,000+ apps
Same answer, but for different plans or with different conditions: build by describing it. The table below shows the conditions.
Confirmed for only one of the two so far: open source, run on your own server. The table below shows which.
Same answer for both: free plan, platforms, MCP, AI steps, AI agents.
Plans and prices
As listed on each official pricing page, in the currency we were shown. No conversion, no rounding.
n8n
- Community Edition Free plan$0.00 / month
- Starter Paid, individualPrice not confirmed
- Pro Paid, individualPrice not confirmed
- Business TeamPrice not confirmed
- Enterprise EnterprisePrice not confirmed
Zapier
- Free Free plan$0.00 / month
- Professional Paid, individual$19.99 / month, billed annually
- Team Team$69.00 / month, billed annually
- Enterprise EnterprisePrice not confirmed
Full comparison with sources
| Automation | ||
| What it is for | ||
| What it is for | Workflow automation and AI agent builder you can self-host or use in n8n Cloud, mixing visual nodes with JavaScript or Python code. | Connects thousands of web apps so events in one trigger actions in others, with AI steps, agents and MCP access for AI assistants. |
| Good for | ||
| Editor's suggestion | No editor suggestion yet | No editor suggestion yet |
| Cost | ||
| Free planA free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately. |
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| Plans and pricesOriginal currency and billing period. No conversion. |
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| Input and output | ||
| Build by describing itYou describe the automation in words and it builds the workflow. |
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| Workflow | ||
| PlatformsWhere the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension. |
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| MCPSupports the Model Context Protocol, a standard way to connect tools and data sources. |
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| Apps it connectsHow many apps it connects to, as the official pages state. |
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| AI stepsA step in a workflow can call an AI model, for example to summarise or sort. |
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| AI agentsAgents that decide their next steps themselves, within limits you set. |
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| Requirements | ||
| Open sourceThe tool's own code is published under an open-source licence. |
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| Run on your own serverYou can install it and run it on your own server. |
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| Sources and confidence | ||
| Confidence | Last checked 2026-10-11 All compared fields have a confirmed value. | Last checked 2026-10-11 Not yet confirmed: Open source, Run on your own server |
What it is for
What it is for
n8n:
Workflow automation and AI agent builder you can self-host or use in n8n Cloud, mixing visual nodes with JavaScript or Python code.
Zapier:
Connects thousands of web apps so events in one trigger actions in others, with AI steps, agents and MCP access for AI assistants.
Editor's suggestion
n8n:
No editor suggestion yetZapier:
No editor suggestion yetCost
Free plan
A free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately.
n8n:
- Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
Community Edition plan
Zapier:
- Supportedzapier.comchecked 2026-10-11
Free plan
Plans and prices
n8n:
- Community Edition (Free plan)$0.00 / month
- Starter (Paid, individual)Price not confirmed
- Pro (Paid, individual)Price not confirmed
- Business (Team)Price not confirmed
- Enterprise (Enterprise)Price not confirmed
- All plan details and sources
Zapier:
- Free (Free plan)$0.00 / month
- Professional (Paid, individual)$19.99 / month, billed annually
- Team (Team)$69.00 / month, billed annually
- Enterprise (Enterprise)Price not confirmed
- All plan details and sources
Input and output
Build by describing it
You describe the automation in words and it builds the workflow.
n8n:
- Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
Plans: Community Edition, Starter, Pro, Business
Zapier:
- Supportedhelp.zapier.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Workflow
Platforms
Where the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension.
n8n:
- Webdocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
Zapier:
- Webhelp.zapier.comchecked 2026-10-11
MCP
Supports the Model Context Protocol, a standard way to connect tools and data sources.
n8n:
- Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Zapier:
- Supportedhelp.zapier.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Apps it connects
How many apps it connects to, as the official pages state.
n8n:
- Over 500 integrationsn8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
Zapier:
- 9,000+ appszapier.comchecked 2026-10-11
AI steps
A step in a workflow can call an AI model, for example to summarise or sort.
n8n:
- Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Zapier:
- Supportedhelp.zapier.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
AI agents
Agents that decide their next steps themselves, within limits you set.
n8n:
- Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Zapier:
- Supportedhelp.zapier.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Requirements
Open source
The tool's own code is published under an open-source licence.
n8n:
- Not supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Zapier:
- Not yet confirmed
Run on your own server
You can install it and run it on your own server.
n8n:
- Supporteddocs.n8n.iochecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Zapier:
- Not yet confirmed
Sources and confidence
Confidence
n8n:
Last checked 2026-10-11
All compared fields have a confirmed value.
Zapier:
Last checked 2026-10-11
Not yet confirmed: Open source, Run on your own server