n8n vs Zapier vs Make: Which Automation Tool Should You Choose?

Choosing the right automation platform can save you thousands of dollars and countless hours. In this comprehensive comparison, we'll break down n8n, Zapier, and Make to help you make the right choice.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	n8n	Zapier	Make
Pricing Model	Per workflow	Per task	Per operation
Starting Price	Free (self-hosted)	$29.99/mo	$10.59/mo
Self-Hosting	Yes	No	No
Open Source	Yes	No	No
Integrations	400+	7,000+	1,500+
Custom Code	Full support	Limited	Moderate
Visual Builder	Canvas-based	Linear	Canvas-based
AI Features	Built-in AI nodes	AI add-on	AI modules
Best For	Technical teams, high volume	Non-technical users	Complex workflows

Pricing: The Real Difference

Pricing is where these platforms differ most dramatically. Let's break it down:

Zapier: Task-Based Pricing

Zapier charges per "task"—every action in your workflow counts. A 5-step workflow that runs 1,000 times = 5,000 tasks.

• Free: 100 tasks/month
• Starter: $29.99/mo for 750 tasks
• Professional: $73.50/mo for 2,000 tasks
• Team: $103.50/mo for 2,000 tasks + features

Reality check: A moderately active business can easily hit 10,000+ tasks/month, costing $250+/mo.

Make: Operation-Based Pricing

Make counts "operations" similarly to Zapier's tasks, but tends to be cheaper:

• Free: 1,000 operations/month
• Core: $10.59/mo for 10,000 operations
• Pro: $18.82/mo for 10,000 operations + features
• Teams: $34.12/mo for 10,000 operations + team features

n8n: Workflow-Based Pricing

n8n doesn't charge per execution. Instead, you pay for active workflows:

• Self-Hosted: Free forever
• Starter: $20/mo for 5 active workflows
• Pro: $50/mo for 15 active workflows
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

The key advantage: Run a workflow 10 times or 10,000 times—same price. This makes n8n dramatically cheaper for high-volume automation.

Cost Comparison Example

Let's say you have 5 workflows, each with 4 steps, running 500 times/month:

• Zapier: 10,000 tasks = ~$250/month
• Make: 10,000 operations = ~$19/month
• n8n Cloud: 5 workflows = $20/month
• n8n Self-Hosted: $0/month (just server costs)

Ease of Use

Zapier: Simplest for Beginners

Zapier wins on simplicity. Its linear workflow builder is intuitive—connect a trigger to actions, and you're done. The trade-off? Less flexibility for complex logic.

Best for: Non-technical users, simple automations, quick setups

Make: Powerful but Steeper Learning Curve

Make's canvas-based builder offers more power but requires more learning. You can create complex branching, loops, and data transformations—but it takes time to master.

Best for: Users who need complex workflows and are willing to learn

n8n: Technical Users' Paradise

n8n has a learning curve, but it's incredibly powerful once you understand it. The ability to write custom code, self-host, and extend with custom nodes makes it the most flexible option.

Best for: Developers, technical teams, agencies managing multiple automations

Integrations & Extensibility

Zapier: Most Integrations

With 7,000+ app connections, Zapier likely has the integration you need. If it exists, Zapier probably connects to it.

Make: Strong Selection

1,500+ integrations cover most popular apps. Make also offers more depth in each integration, with more actions available per app.

n8n: Quality Over Quantity + Flexibility

400+ native integrations might seem limited, but n8n makes up for it with:

• HTTP Request node: Connect any API without native integration
• Custom nodes: Build your own integrations
• Community nodes: Install nodes built by others
• Open source: Modify existing integrations

AI & Advanced Features

All three platforms now offer AI capabilities, but the approach differs:

Zapier

• AI-powered "Zap" suggestions
• OpenAI integration (separate app)
• Natural language triggers (beta)

Make

• OpenAI modules built-in
• AI-powered data transformation
• Stable Diffusion integration

n8n

• Native AI nodes (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, local LLMs)
• LangChain integration for AI agents
• Vector database nodes for RAG
• AI workflow templates
• Run AI models locally (self-hosted)

n8n has the strongest AI story, especially for teams building AI-powered applications.

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Zapier If:

• You're non-technical and need simple automations
• You need a specific integration only Zapier has
• You value ease of use over cost
• You only need low-volume automations

Choose Make If:

• You need complex workflows at lower cost than Zapier
• You want visual workflow building without code
• You need more operations per dollar
• You prefer a middle ground between simplicity and power

Choose n8n If:

• You have technical resources (dev team or technical founder)
• You need high-volume automation without per-task costs
• Data privacy and self-hosting matter to you
• You want to build AI-powered workflows
• You value open source and customization
• You're an agency managing many client automations

The Verdict

There's no universal "best" platform—it depends on your situation:

• For simplicity: Zapier
• For value: Make
• For power & scale: n8n

If you're reading this on WorkWizrd, you're probably interested in n8n—and for good reason. For technical teams and businesses with significant automation needs, n8n offers the best combination of power, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.