n8n

Pricing and hosting

n8n is free if you self-host on your own server, so your only cost is infrastructure. The cloud service starts at about €20 per month for 2,500 workflow executions. Unlike Zapier, n8n does not charge per step, which can make large or complex automations far cheaper.

Open-source and self-hosting control

You can run n8n anywhere, from a local Docker container to a private VPS. This keeps data on your infrastructure and helps with strict compliance rules. Zapier offers no self-hosted option, so if data residency or sovereignty matters, n8n is the stronger choice.

Scalability and workflow complexity

n8n supports unlimited steps, parallel branches and multiple triggers inside one workflow. Zapier restricts each Zap to one trigger and a linear chain of actions. If you need loops, conditional logic or large-volume processing, n8n scales better, though you must watch server resources when self-hosting.

Integration coverage

Zapier includes more than five thousand ready-made connectors, whereas n8n has around four hundred nodes. If your stack relies on very niche SaaS tools, Zapier may have them pre-built. However, n8n offers generic HTTP and Webhook nodes, so any service with an API can still be integrated with some effort.

Learning curve and technical skill

n8n’s visual canvas is powerful but less guided than Zapier’s form-based builder. Expressions, data mapping and code nodes need a basic grasp of JSON and JavaScript. If you enjoy tinkering or have developer support, the extra power is worth it. Non-technical teams may find Zapier’s simplicity faster to adopt.

I have used Zapier for eight years, yet n8n has become my preferred platform for heavy automation. Setting up the cloud trial took minutes, and self-hosting in Docker was equally painless. The visual canvas feels like a proper flow-chart: I can run parallel branches, insert code blocks and merge paths without splitting work across several Zaps.

The open-source licence is liberating. I host client workflows on my own VPS, so monthly costs stay flat even when automations run thousands of times. Built-in features such as the form trigger, templates library and AI assistant speed up development. The forum is active and most problems have community answers.

There are rough edges. Some smaller apps lack native nodes, so I rely on manual API calls. Debugging large flows can be fiddly, and the interface is less polished than Zapier’s. Colleagues who are not comfortable with JSON occasionally need guidance. Even so, the control and savings outweigh these quirks. For teams ready to invest a little learning time, n8n delivers enterprise-grade flexibility at a fraction of Zapier’s price.