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Zapier vs n8n
Zapier vs n8n
A side-by-side look at Zapier (the paid SaaS) and n8n (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Zapier | n8n | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Connect thousands of apps with no-code automations. | Node-based automation tool — self-host or cloud. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | Sustainable Use License (source-available, free for self-host) |
| Pricing | Free tier (100 tasks/month); Starter from $19.99/month. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 2/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
The most mature and feature-rich open automation platform.
n8n strengths
- 400+ integrations out of the box.
- Visual editor plus code nodes for flexibility.
- Active community building templates.
n8n weaknesses
- License is "fair-code" — not strict OSI open source.
- Cloud pricing scales with active executions.
- Some integrations lag behind Zapier's freshest APIs.
What's the catch with Zapier?
- Pricing scales with task volume quickly.
- Data flows through Zapier cloud.
- Self-hosting not possible.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Zapier: see Zapier alternatives, or learn more about n8n on its project page.